Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

As we all know, eating healthy is important if you want to maintain a normal body weight. Beyond that, there are many other reasons why it's important to maintain a healthy diet.

By eating the right foods, you can help your body fight against developing certain diseases. I would rather steer clear of diabetes that runs in my family. I made the necessary changes in the hope that I avoid this disease. This is why I avoid the candy and ice cream I used to eat, and eat the vegetables I stayed away from for too long.

Matt Manning made the national news a month or so ago, when he won $50,000 in a bodybuilding.com contest. I contacted him because I wanted to learn more about his incredible transformation and how he did it. He agreed to do an interview for the blog. I thought his story could inspire others who think they can't get in shape because of age, work or other issues. Matt proves that with hard work and determination, you can transform your body and improve your health.

Matt's story inspires me on a personal level as I'm trying to tighten my skin with the strength training. He didn't have as much weight to lose as I did, and I know my skin was stretched out for many more years than his. But still, it gives me hope that maybe I too will have tighter abs after all this weight loss.

Mat announced the super foods for the Fitness Commitment challenge weeks five and six.

Kale was for week five, and what an awesome choice that was! Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods out there. It is one of nutritarian Dr. Fuhrman's favorite food choices. You should have kale everyday! Kale lowers your risk of cancer and supports your body's detoxification system. It has Vitamin A, Vitamin C and is very high in Vitamin K, which any Americans often lack. Vitamin K is essential for bone health and brain function.

Mat, the Fitness Director at the Northwest CT YMCA, chose another food that I eat nearly everyday as the next superfood. Spinach is awesome and should be incorporated in everyone's diet.

So why is spinach important? Just look at Popeye! It does build strength as it's 30% protein. If you combine spinach with sunflower seeds or beans, you'll have a complete protein, all of the necessary amino acids required to build muscle.

Mat, the Fitness Director at the Northwest CT YMCA, posted his first superfood for the Fitness Commitment Challenge and it's blueberries.

This week isn't much of a challenge for me as I eat blueberries practically everyday. When looking at a list of super foods, it's probably hard to find one that I don't eat.