Teecino Challenge - The End

I can once again add sugar and caffeine back into my diet - just in time for my daughter's birthday today. I have to confess, my husband and I went out to breakfast on Friday and I had two cups of coffee - with caffeine. I found myself completely unable to sit still or focus for hours after drinking the caffeine. My legs bounced so much, I think I was moving the table. I was so wired, I could talk a hundred miles an hour and had a hard time catching my breath. I have to admit, I definitely like a life with little to no caffeine. My husband agrees. I had to laugh as my sugaraholic husband was actually still checking labels and watching what we bought yesterday at the grocery store, even though the challenge is over. I am so proud of him. I really hope that this challenge changes our lives.

The fact that we spent around four hours at the gym yesterday helped as well. I know many people do not like going to the gym, but to me, it is like a breath of fresh air. I love the smells, the sounds, the mirrors, and most of all, the equipment. I may be barely able to move today or tomorrow, but it was so worth it. Although I loved P90X, I seriously love the gym more. It just feels like home to me.

Teecino Challenge - Week 3

Robyn and I have both noticed without caffeine, we don't suffer from the afternoon drop where we want to crawl into bed or just take a little nap at our desks. My co-worker loves Teecino because within days of drinking it, her stomach issues subsided. My husband, Robyn, has also lost 8 pounds by giving up sugary treats. I must admit, it has opened us up to a whole new world of snacking and checking labels. I have not lost weight, rather gained another 1.5 pounds. I suppose it is now time to kick the cardio into gear!

While watching a bodybuilding special, I was surprised to hear that even those that truly watch every little thing they eat need to do 45 minutes of cardio three times per day, plus strength training daily to keep their lean physiques. I figure I may be able to get the cardio in first thing in the morning, maybe another 15 at lunch and strength training at night, possibly more cardio. As I am not an early riser, this a.m. workout will take some getting used to, so I am getting up early this week, just to let my body adjust. I have started the lunchtime workouts such as abs, back extensions, and rotator cuff.

Now that school is in session, I need to find an exercise routine that works so that I can stick to it and still be there for the kids and their homework.

Teechino Challenge Day 10

I had a bagel with cream cheese this morning. After my bowl of shredded wheat, I can truly say I felt as though I was starving and when my coworker came in carrying everything bagels, I was ready to eat! High in carbs-yes. High in sugar - hopefully not much in a poppyseed bagel. I can honestly say my husband and I have seriously started looking at the sugar content in what we eat and we are eating healthier. Thank you Teecino for offering this challenge!

Teecino Challenge Days 7, 8 & 9

Sunday went by fine. However, last night I felt as though I could not take it anymore and had a square of sweetened chocolate. I knew hormones would make this week hard, I just hadn't realized how hard. My husband is getting concerned about his weight gain, and I am not real thrilled with mine, so we are going to add bread back into our diet, so that we can eat sandwiches. We are definitely realizing modernization when it comes to sugar and I don't crave the cookies or candy bars like I used to. I went on a no sugar diet when I was in my mid twenties and it had the same effect on me - weight gain. It seems that if I don't satisfy my craving with a little sugar, then I overeat in calories to make up for that craving. I know that sounds bad, but as a trainer, I have always believed and preached things in moderation. I have to say that I love that I don't have an afternoon lawl from caffeine drop. I can easily go without caffeine and not really mind. I am going to continue to do the no caffeine (except in chocolate this week) and limit my sugar. I am even going to try baking oatmeal cookies with Truvia. I'll let you know how they taste!

Teecino Challenge Days 5 & 6

I was full of energy on day five and didn't really crave a candybar. On my five hour roadtrip to the Black Hills I stopped and ate a banana. For the first time in a long time, I didn't even get tired on the drive. No sugar and no caffeine was working great! However, then my folks took us out to dinner. I was going to order the sirloin, then opted for the bison burger, thinking lowfat, healthy meat. But, I forgot about the bun. When the bun came, it was whole grain, so I didn't feel too awfully guilty eating half of it. I just nibbled on the second half of the burger - no more bun. I was feeling full and pretty good. Then the children ordered dessert and asked me to share it with them. Well, I don't get to eat this particular restaurant but maybe once every year or two. So, I had a few bites of cheesecake and chocolate cake. At least I didn't have an entire piece? I can say I am still caffeine free! Woo-Hoo!

This morning I was careful and ate an omelet. Then we stopped at Wall Drug, where they have fresh baked donuts. Ok, I split one with my daughter. Let me tell you, two hours later, I felt as though I could crawl into bed. It took me another hour or so to get my energy level back. My husband and I have both agreed that cutting out all sugar is causing us to gain weight. But, we definitely plan on watching our sugar intake in the future. I feel better while he is apparently still going through withdrawals as he feels hungry, tired, and sick most of the time without sugar laden carbs.

Don't worry, my husband made me feel plenty guilty about not only falling off the wagon, but being drug behind for a while. Tomorrow is the end of the first week - only 14 days to go!

The Teecino Challenge - Day 4

I woke up fully energized and felt great all day. I continue to be overly hungry and have gained 1.5 pounds. My husband and I went to the grocery store to shop for more cheese and fruit. I have to say that none of the candybars looked appetizing. However, we both would kill for a slice or two of bread. I am leaving tomorrow for a five hour road trip to the Black Hills. I bought some raisins, hoping that along with carrots, I will make it there without a sugar incident.
Wish me luck!

Teecino Challenge - Day 3

I would kill for a fudge bar or just about anything that contains sugar. Without sugar in my diet, I never seem to be satisfied, so I feel like eating all the time. I can't say that I have any more energy or am mentally clearer at this point in time, but I can say I feel as though I am starving all the time, I just can't seem to satiate my hunger. My husband says he felt the same way today. I am hoping this is just a short side effect of sugar withdrawal, otherwise I will be gaining some serious weight by the end of the three weeks. I have to say though, cherries and grapes make for a great dessert and apples are very satisfying.

I am hoping that I begin to feel more energy soon, as I could not get out of bed this morning and I am having a hard time finding the energy to exercise. I am sure this is just my body adjusting. I have gone without caffeine before, so this is not the problem. I am trying to eat only the healthiest of foods, so I am sure to feel improvement soon.

I anxiously await to see what tomorrow brings.

The Teecino Challenge - Day 2

Teecino continues to be a satisfying drink and not having caffeine has not been an issue. My coworker told me today that she feels great and does not get the stomach aches from the Teecino that she got from drinking decaf coffee.

In January, my husband and I started the P90X Program from Beachbody. Let me tell you, I LOVE this program! It is so fun to do at home! I was a total gym rat and loved the gym, but between kids and work, the gym was one of things I let go, along with myself.

With P90X, within 2 months I had reached my pushup goal and was feeling better than I had in years. However, after vacation, I have yet again slacked for 2 months. Now I am paying the price! I am so sore, I can barely move my legs. Add that to the sugar craving and I am going to bed early tonight.

Tomorrow is another day....without sugar.  A couple of weeks ago I was watching a television show and when the gal was offered a cookie, she said, "No thank you. I don't eat sugar." All I could think is, "I want to be that person. I want to be the person that runs every morning and lifts weights every night. I want to be the person who doesn't eat sugar and bad fats."

I need to turn my, "I want to," into, "I do."

Teecino 21 Day Challenge - No Sugar, No Caffeine Day 1

Today I start my journey down the path of healthy energy by weaning myself off caffeine and going cold turkey on the sugar. My husband and coworkers are joining me on this journey. I have given up coffee and processed sugars in the past for Lent, but allowed myself honey. The Teecino Challenge does not allow for this wondrous sweetener.

Grocery shopping yesterday proved to be a challenge. I was appalled at how much food actually has some form of sweetener in it, even the saltiest of foods have a touch of sugar or corn syrup. We did find that Kashi offers many sugar free products, including frozen dinners.

It is only noon and I am feeling fine. I did feel a slight headache coming on at 11:00 so I drank a couple of sips of caffeinated coffee to ward off the withdrawal symptoms (allowable on the Challenge.)

So far, the hardest part of the no sugar rule is when my daughter toasted a marshmallow in front of me. MMMMMM But, when I craved something sweet after dinner, I followed the instructions and had an apple - completely satisfying!

Please check back to see how well I handle the Challenge! I am always interested in getting comments from my readers, so please feel free to type away!

Check out http://www.teecino.com/ and take the challenge for yourself!