Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

I met with my personal trainer today and although my body fat percentage didn't go down much in two weeks, my weight did come down a few pounds. It's going to take some time to build muscle and lose the excess skin, but it's slowly getting there.

One thing he suggested last week is to continue doing the vegan challenge for a week each month. As you might recall, I did my first vegan challenge a few weeks ago. He felt that since I did so well with it that I should keep it going. This way, I can keep away from animal and dairy products for a week and can resume the Greek Yogurt and turkey during the other weeks. I'll try it for a while to see how I like it. The next time I plan to go vegan will be sometime in April. You really need to plan your meals as a vegan. The reason is you need to make sure you're getting enough protein and nutrients in your diet.

This past Monday, Dr. Oz aired a show that focused on some of the dangers of artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners, in case you don't know, are saccharin (marketed as Sweet N' Low), aspartame (marketed as Equal) and Sucralose (marketed as Splenda).

I've written about the dangers of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners for some time now. There are so many reports of health problems caused by these artificial sugar packets, including multiple sclerosis among other diseases. I was eager to tune in and find out what Dr. Oz would focus on.

Anyone up to the challenge or at the very least investigating the different methods of losing weight know well that there are hundreds of different diets and variations.  High protein, high carb, low carb, balanced, Mediterranean, pills, points systems, calorie counting, see food diet (wait that one makes you gain weight)... the list goes on and on.

Today, I'd like to think people are more health savvy and realize that diets do not really work for the long term goals of living a healthy life. It takes a lifestyle change. What does that really mean?  "Lifestyle change" sounds so scary and burdensome!  It really isn't.  Only your brains addiction to sugar makes you feel that way.

I eat very clean now but when I read about a vegan challenge last month, I thought I should give it a try. I want to see how I feel without meat or dairy for a week. The challenge begins tomorrow and will last seven days.

I will still get all the protein requirements. As you may recall, my trainer wants me to have a lot of protein, especially when I''m training hard. This vegan challenge has gotten me to examine my diet and I think I came up with a good plan for the week. Basically, the big thing I'll be missing is turkey and Greek yogurt. All the other food is pretty much the same. The plan I came up with will have me consuming the pea protein powder, lots of quinoa, beans, spinach, etc.

Happy Monday, fitness friends! I just finished cleaning up from dinner & I was compelled to get on here & post. For the last two years, I have fallen into the trap of making more than one meal for me & my family. My youngest had mastered the crinkling of her nose at the sight of quinoa when I would offer it to her. WELL...tonight I made a healthy pasta primavera dish for my crew & it was a HUGE hit! I MADE ONE HEALTHY MEAL FOR DINNER TONIGHT! I am over-the-moon excited! I will try my best to keep this up! I am noticing that my youngest daughter is gravitating towards healthy options because it is now her only choice! I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment seeing her be lead by example. On days when I have felt like giving up, I remember who is watching.