Ana Cabán's Sugar-Free Challenge

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

2009-10-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-31T23:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-05-30T15:58:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-28T11:31:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-05-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

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!

Day 15 - My Menu

2009-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

Many people are wondering what a typical day of menus looks like while I tackle this Sugar Free Challenge. In the DAY 15: My Menu video, I share tips & tricks on how I'm minimizing fat and sugar in my diet, while increasing valuable nutrients. Check it out!

Strolling Along to Day 13!

2009-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Starting your day off with a simple exercise routine will help you lose weight and feel great. Feeling energized has really helped me stay away from sugar during my Sugar Free Challenge. In the Day 13-Morning Exercise video, I share my morning exercise ritual with you, as well as discussing the benefits of water vs. soda. Check it out!

Hi Daria!

2009-05-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

There was a good question about desserts made with unrefined sugars and non-dairy products... Are they good for you? I did some research and found out...here are the results.

Day 10- I am not alone

2009-05-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's Day 10 and I realize that I am not alone in my refined sugar detox. A woman, named Mollie, from my female entrepreneur group, SmartyLA, told me that she began cutting out refined sugar a few days after I did (coincidentally) and now my friend, and LBL member, Kira Morris tells me that her sister is also doing the same (and writing about it on her blog-Amira-online: Ask Amira. Plus there are those of you following/joining me here and on my YouTube Channel. (It's great to know that I am not alone).

Amira has some great information about the addictiveness of sugar (as addictive as coccaine, apparently). Please check out her thoughts by following this link to www.Amira-Online.com.

I'll check back with you all tomorrow. Until then, stay strong! (And Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there)! :)

Day 8 and feeling great!!!

2009-05-08T09:50:00.001-07:00

Wow! It has already been a week since I stopped eating refined sugar. I feel great! It actually hasn't been as hard as I had imagined. I truly believe that knowing that the world is watching me has kept me honest and on task. So THANK YOU ALL! (I couldn't do this without you. Trust me, I have tried).

Summer is right around the corner. Are you beach body ready? It's not too late to join my Sugar-Free Challenge. Just cut out refined sugar and follow my blog, www.SugarFreeChallenge.com.

And please leave me your comments. I want to know how it's going for you, too.

Day 7- Squeezing into my old "favorite" jeans

2009-05-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I am happy to say that I squeezed into a pair of my "favorite" old jeans, for a Seal concert last night. (No that is not I, in the photo). I can't say that they fit well, but I slithered my way into them. So I am hopeful that I am on the right track and that by month's end I will, indeed, "fit" into my favorite jeans.

The sugar cravings have subsided. Usually I get the sweet munchies at night. But lately I have not. I have been eating lots of fresh fruit and drinking lots of water. (It happens to be in the 80's ad 90's in L.A. this week). I am really craving an ice cold lemonade, but that is one thing that I am SURE will taste horrible without sugar. (Perhaps a little agave would do the trick). Anyway, all is going well. I hope that those of you that are joining me in this challenge are not having too much trouble. I have found that I have more energy and less headaches than usual. (So that's a good thing).

Stay tuned for some sweet (but sugar-free) treats and more...

Better Sugar Alternatives

2009-05-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

Day 4- a little easier

2009-05-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

Today was a little easier than the first three days. It's almost like a detox. (Fortunately I haven't gotten a headache, or anything, like some people do when then remove caffeine from their diet). I actually have had more energy than usual. (I think that refined sugar was bringing me down- after the initial blood sugar surge). After a few days without sugar I just don't really crave it so much, which is a good thing because I usually have quite the sweet tooth. (I take after my father). I'd really like to hear how it's going for those of you joining me on my Sugar-Free Challenge. Knowing that the world is watching has CERTAINLY made me more accountable. I don't dare cheat. :)

Tune in for more on my refined sugar alternatives, yummy treats and workouts!

Day 3- A bit tougher than the first 2.

2009-05-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, today was a bit tougher than the first 2 days. When I say that I am cutting refined sugar and hoping to fit into my favorite jeans by the end of the month I do realize that sugar alone may not do the trick. The thing is that sweets are my downfall. So if I avoid sugar altogether (whether that be table sugar or sugar in a dessert-loaded with lots of fat) it helps me lose the taste or "craving" for it. I am not saying that I will not treat myself to a sweet all month but I am committing to making my "treats" made with unrefined sugar. What might an example of unrefined sugar be? Tune in tomorrow and I will show you a bunch of options.

Jeans too tight? Here's my solution!

2009-05-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

The Countdown Begins To Ana Caban's Sugar-Free Challenge!

2009-04-27T15:11:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Please stay tuned for my upcoming Sugar-Free Challenge... Details to come.