How my son is keeping me honest (and why the workout photo)

Well, I hired a personal trainer, to help whip me into "rock star" shape. Why, you ask? Yes, I know. I am a Fitness Expert. I know how to work myself out. However, everyone needs a little motivation and accountability. Not to mention that any great athlete has a coach (or team of coaches) to help them stay in top form. What does any of this have to do with my son, Vincent? My new trainer, (we'll call her Morgan, as that's her name), is making me write down everything that I eat. She is going to check my food journal at our next meeting. She has basically told me that she can get me into "rock star" shape one of two ways.

1. I can continue to eat as I have been, increase my cardio dramatically AND train super hard with her.
2. I can cut out sugar and dairy completely, and carbs late in the day and have to only increase my cardio slightly and do less of the dreaded super hard ("Ugh, I think that I am going to be sick") strength training exercises with her.

Ultimately, it's up to me. Hmm...

I have already been mostly off refined sugar, since I started the Sugar-Free Challenge back in June. However, who doesn't enjoy yogurt or even a bowl of cereal with milk late in the day? Well, Vincent is now one year old and wants to try everything that I am eating. That, and the fact that Morgan is holding me accountable for "clean eating" (as she calls it) is making it so much easier to "eat clean". What Vincent sees me eat he will request (and not always so subtly) and since we spend all of our time together I find that I am shopping better and actually cooking myself (pretty unbelievable, if you know me at all). I recently found some great, EASY, 20-minute recipes in a magazine. Click here to learn more about that...

So, here's to Vincent! Thanks for keeping me honest. Thanks to you, there will by no fudging on my food journal.

WELCOME TEAM SUGAR FREE

I'll be taking a group through the Sugar-Free Challenge. I'm checking in on the 31st day to welcome Los Angeles' "Team Sugar-Free" to the challenge.

Meet the team by clicking here.

The Sugar-Free Challenge is Not OVER!

After 30 days of my sugar-free challenge, I fit into my favorite jeans! BUT, it's not over just yet. I'll be taking a group through my challenge now to make sure they reach their desired goals. Watch my fresh new look!

Sugar-Free Workout Series

To give your sugar-free lifeftyle a little boost, here's a simple 5 minute workout you can do ANYWHERE: at home, work, while watching T.V., etc. There's no excuse to wimp out! Watch the video.

Day 21 - Time for a Treat!

It's Day 21 and I'm still going strong. As you all know by now, I LOVE desserts so I decided to put sugar-free sweetners to the test and bake Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Poppy Seed Cupcakes. I tried it out and it was great! Here's the video...

Click here for the recipe

Day 19 and going strong

Ok, I notice that some of you want to know what I have been eating, so I thought that I'd jot down my meals for a couple of days.

Yesterday I ate:

6:00AM water, 1 granny smith apple and coffee (sweetened with organic evaporated cane sugar)
10:00AM poached eggs, with 1 slice of sourdough toast, and 1/2 a glass of o.j. (diluted 50% with water)
1:00PM grilled chicken, salad, yogurt & water
3:30PM 1 navel orange & 5 (unsalted, unroasted) almonds
6:30PM curried shrimp, brown rice, asparagus and homemade lemonade (sweetened with agave)

Today I ate:

6:30AM water, 1 banana and coffee (sweetened with organic evaporated cane sugar)
10:15AM scrambled egg whites with tomatoes and dill, 1 slice of brown rice toast
1:30PM salad with grilled tofu on top & water
3:30PM fruit salad (watermelon, apple, banana and papaya)
6:30PM 1 sushi hand roll (filled with crab, shrimp, avocado & lettuce), brown rice and water

As you may have noticed, I drink water first thing in the morning. It's really important to start your day off with water (before all else) and continue to hydrate throughout the day. On a daily basis I drink a total of 7-8 glasses of water-throughout the entire day. (In general, it is advised that you drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces/daily. In other words, if you weigh 120 pounds, you should drink 60 ounces of water daily).

A great success

I have been feeling great on my Sugar-Free Challenge, but the best news is that I fit into dress #1 for the East L.A. Classic Theatre benefit at The Conga Room last night. Thank you all for participating in my dress selection. As I mentioned last week, dress #2 was beautiful but just didn't fit as well as dress #1. I am happy to say that the dress was a hit, nonetheless.

The entertainment was fantastic!!! In addition to Carlos Mencia (who emceed the event), there were performances by Culture Clash, Joe Hernandez-Kolski, the band Tierra and more... The highlight of my night was meeting Tony Shaloub (aka Monk). I also got to meet Lauren Vélez (Elena on Ugly Betty).

The event was a huge success, with 800-900 people in attendance. The energy in The Conga Room was palpable and the children from Stevenson Elementary School, who came to speak about their experiences with ECT, were adorable. All in all if was a great night!