Talks around the subject of healthier lifestyles for Bermuda's residents led to both the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge and the Biggest Loser, explained Zach Moniz of Lindo's Family Foods.

"Sarah Fellows of Youthhews.com, Sarah Burrows, of the Bermuda Diabetes Association, and myself sat down and held a brainstorming session on what we could do together to promote healthy living," he said.

"Sarah Burrows had been in contact with Terry Faulkenberry of Aspen RE who had floated the idea of the Live Healthy America programme running in Bermuda.

"The ball started to roll and our ideas evolved into two major initiatives - The Lindo's 100 day Challenge and the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge."

Mr. Moniz explained that The Lindo's 100 day Challenge is a televised event, which will feature ten contestants and the struggles they will go through trying to lose weight, while the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 day challenge is an Internet team-based programme where anyone can sign up, as long as they have a partner.

"The logic behind having a team is having others around you and participating with you for support and encouragement," he said.

"I think that we could all use a little bit of encouragement and support in leading a healthy lifestyle."

However, he did not realise the impact that something like this would have.

"The response that we have gotten from the community has been phenomenal," said Mr. Moniz.

"I think I was probably looking at the need to live healthier myself and I guess there are a few people in the same position as myself - people who need other people to help them live healthier."

Along with all of the above, he spoke about the Lindo's to Lindo's run/walk, which takes place on March 9.

"We are also pushing the Lindo's to Lindo's run/walk as it falls in the middle of everyone's 100 Day Challenge," he explained.

"It is an event that could be a good first fitness test or goal for participants to achieve half way through the 100 Day Challenge.

"It is also the Bermuda Diabetes main fund raising event. Last year participants were able to raise over $39,000 and I am sure the Bermuda Diabetes Association will be looking to better that this year."

When asked whether he had seen an increase in the purchase of calorie controlled food items, he said: "Not yet but I am sure there will be.

"We are hoping that consumers will become smarter shoppers. We are not looking for customers to buy calorie-controlled foods, as much as we are looking for customers to purchase more balanced food baskets.

"Lindo's is of the opinion that most foods are good for you as long as you eat balanced and controlled portions."

Lindo's is ecstatic over the response from the community, he added.

"We are very proud of the participants who have entered the Lindo's 100 Day Challenge," he said.

"They should be applauded for having the courage to get up in front of all of Bermuda and start doing something to improve their health.

"They are an inspiration to rest of us."