SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

New Yorkers in Sugar Shock: Hear Me Speak Sept. 10 at the New York Open Center Open House

New Yorkers, would you like to get more energy, lose weight, improve your relationships and boost your libido? One of the fastest way to get there is to break your sugar addiction.

Join me at a free talk, Breaking Free of Your Sugar Habit, on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 pm EST when I speak at the New York Open Center's Open House. I am one of 9 speakers featured that evening.

On Sept. 10, you'll get some ideas on how to begin to get out from under your sugar habit. If you can't make it Sept. 10, you also can attend a free introductory program on Jan. 5.

Then, in the new year (2010), I'm teaching a four-week course at the New York Open Center, beginning January 12.

If you sign up for my Breaking Free of Your Sugar Habit course at the New York Open Center as a result of reading about this on this blog, please let me know here, and I'll give you a special gift.

Plan now to attend the New York Open Center's open house on Sept. 10.

Join Our New Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Social Network (KickSugar is Moving)

I'm thrilled to announce that you're now invited to join our new, robust, interactive Stop SUGAR SHOCK! social network over at Ning.com

In your supportive, nurturing Stop SUGAR SHOCK! community, you will have a chance:

• To share recipes
• To encourage each other
• To meet and befriend each other. (You'll even get to post photos and create profiles.)
• To follow whichever topics most appeal to you
• To start your own discussion topics
• To ask questions
• To share what you've done successfully when sugar cravings strike
• To talk about why and when you turn to sugar
• To tell your sugar-free success story -- or read inspiring tales from other people.
• To learn about the dangers of sugar.
• To learn what to eat to live a vibrant, healthy life
• To share tips and tactics with each other
• To learn about hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes
• To watch cool videos
• And much more
  

This new Stop SUGAR SHOCK! social network had its origins in November 2002, when I first founded the KickSugar support group at Yahoo. Now, nearly seven years later, KickSugar is moving to Ning, which offers many more features and gives you more opportunity to support and connect with each other.

This new Stop SUGAR SHOCK! social networking community is being co-founded by myself with James Hahn, II, a fellow ex-sugar addict and life coach.

Hurry up and join us now at Stop SUGAR SHOCK! and start sharing your thoughts, ideas, etc.

Tell your friends, too about this cool new community.

Help us build a strong, vibrant community.

Lots of exciting things are in the works, Remember, as mentioned here, on Monday, August. 31, we will hold a free Motivating Morsles Monday teleseminar/webinar. 

Free Motivating Morsels Teleseminar This Coming Monday

Great news! If you're overly attached to sugar or other counter-productive habits, save this coming Monday!

I'm pleased to announce that Monday night, Aug. 31 at 8 pm EST, I will present  a complimentary Motivating Morsels Monday teleseminar/webinar, with fellow life coach James Hahn, II.

My intention for this free teleseminar/webinar is:

To help you identify the obstacles that stand in the way of sugar freedom. (We'll do a couple of fun exercises. I maintain that kicking sugar can be fun while also being life changing.)

• To inspire you to remove the sugar by letting you hear an amazing success story. James, the life coach cited above, will share his remarkable slavery-to-freedom sugar story (i.e., he became "reborn" by removing sugar and losing a whopping 87 pounds).
• To help motivate you to create a better, healthier life, where you're at the weight you desire and you have increased energy, concentration and libido. Plus, you're either stalling or reducing your risk of getting heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
• To update you about exciting news regarding new sugar recommendations from the American Heart Association.
• To help you to create one easy action step, where you'll immediately tap into your passion and purpose.
• To answer your questions. Make sure to ask them ahead of time here.

To make four announcements:

• You'll learn about a new interactive community/forum to be launched soon.
• You'll learn about future, free, monthly Motivating Morsels Monday teleseminars.
• You'll find out about my new, low-priced Break-Free Group Coaching programs, which begin on Sept. 14 and 16. (When you sign up, you'll even get to bring in a friend for free.)
• You'll get a chance to win special raffle prizes. You need to attend the teleseminar/webinar live in order to win, because you'll be invited to email a special code that's given on the call.

The prizes to be awarded include:

1. One complimentary admission to my upcoming Break-Free Group Coaching program ($250 value),
2. One complimentary strategy session with me (Connie Bennett)
3. One complimentary strategy session with fellow life coach James Hahn, II, and
4. One copy of my book SUGAR SHOCK! How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life -- And How You Can Get Back on Track.

Wondering how to join us on Monday, Aug. 31? It's easy.

• You can access this teleseminar from any location in the U.S.
• Plus, you can listen live via webinar from anywhere around the world.
• Then, if you can't make the program live, you can listen for 24 hours after the program ends. 

Get the details now about how to join us in the Motivating Morsels Monday telseminar/webinar: http://tinyurl.com/MotivatingMorselsMondayCB83109

Make sure to submit your questions ahead of time.

Spread the word to your friends and loved ones about this exciting Motivating Morsels Monday teleseminar. Be sure to arrive at 7:50 p.m. EST, because space is limited.

Sugar Addiction: Break Free With Group Coaching

Would you like to shed extra pounds, get more energy, concentrate better, be happier and boost your libido?

Turning your back on sugary foods and refined carbs can help to make all of the above happen.

If you're like most, you've tried before to remove the sugar.

Unfortunately, you felt overwhelmed and disappointed in yourself when you couldn't do it.

I'm determined to help you succeed for once and for all.

That's why I've now come up with a low-priced group coaching program to help you build a life that rocks -- and to get the support of others facing similar issues.

You can join one of several groups, which begin in late September.

Learn now about this Break Free Group Coaching program so that you can succeed for good.

Speed Dating, Not! Attend "Speed Shrinking" Events, Thanks to Author Susan Shapiro

For many, speed dating events are a painless way to meet your potential paramour.

Author Susan Shapiro -- who credits a psychoanalyst with helping her to quit smoking, drinking, pot, gum and sugar -- has devised an innovative spin-off concept to help fans, friends and friends of friends learn about therapy and coaching.

Susan has created "Speed Shrinking" events -- think speed dating with shrinks and other self-help gurus.

Speed Shrinking events are being held to coincide with the publication of Susan's debut novel, Speed Shrinking, a humorous account about how self-help guru Julia Goodman develops a cupcake addiction when feeling abandoned by her therapist, best friend and husband. Frantic to slim down and find help before a major national TV appearance, she desperately goes on a shrink shopping spree, seeing 8 in 8 days to find a new analyst. (Amusing scenario, right?)

As mentioned on this Sugar Shock Blog earlier this month, Sue's first "Speed Shrinking" event -- in which people could chat for 3 minutes about their sugar challenges, writing goals or other issues with eight self-help types -- was held earlier this month at Knickerbocker Bar in New York City. You can also read about the event in Publisher's Weekly and also at the Pomp Lives blog. (I was fortunate enough to be one of the "Speed Shrinkers.")

On Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, you can attend another fun, helpful Speed Shrinking Book Party and Free Head Shrinking at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. The event is a benefit for the Housing Works, which helps homelessness and AIDS. Another one is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 16 at Knickerbocker Bar.

The Speed Shrinking events are brilliant book promotional gimmicks, from my  perspective as a fellow author.

Susan points out that in her novel, Speed Shrinking "features a shrinkoholic heroine, who sees eight shrinks in eight days... So in order to recreate her experience for readers, I'm throwing a series of speed shrinking parties filled with my brilliant author guru friends."

Those on hand to do Speed Shrinking on Aug. 26 include:

• Susan Shapiro (of course), who will be available to chat about her book, Speed Shrinking
• Psychologist Diana Kirschner, author of Love in 90 Days
• Sociologist Jon Fast, author of Ceremonial Violence: Understanding Columbine and Other School Rampage Shootings
• Sherry Amatenstein, LMSW, NYU instructor, writer for iVillage, etc. and author of The Complete Marriage Counselor: Relationship-Saving Advice from America’s Top 50 + Couples Therapists (upcoming)
• Yours truly, Connie Bennett, author of SUGAR SHOCK!
• Derner Institute Psychotherapist Jay Crosby
• Manuscript doctor Paula Derrow, editor at Self magazine, MediaBistro instructor and author of Behind the Bedroom Door
• Vatsal Thakkar, M.D., Director of the Graduate Medical Education Wellness Team at the NYU Langone Medical Center and author of two young adult textbooks on psychiatry.

If you're struggling with a sugar addiction, I recommend that you:

• Listen to my upcoming Gab With the Gurus Radio Show on Sept. 22 at 3 pm EST, when Sue appears as my guest. Listen below.
• Check out Susan Shapiro's entertaining novel, Speed Shrinking. (I believe you'll enjoy how Sue pokes fun and delves deeply at the same time into her sugar struggles.)

Not surprisingly, Susan's entertaining book, Speed Shrinking -- which has been keeping me up late at night -- is receiving rave reviews. Here are a few snippets, for instance:

•  “…bubbly…an original voice and an energy that will resonate with anyone who’s ever stared down a Twinkie.” —-Publisher’s Weekly
  
• “Susan Shapiro does for therapy and food what Candace Bushnell did for sex and shoes.” —Guy Nicolucci, writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien
• “A powerful, soulful, laugh-out-loud delight.” —Ian Frazier, author of Dating Your Mom
• “A hilarious search for Dr. Right. Susan Shapiro makes neuroticism fun.” —Amy Alkon, of      AdviceGoddess.com
• “Proust had a cookie. Susan Shapiro has a cupcake – and a really hilarious book.” —Patricia Marx, author of Him, Her, Him, Again the End of Him

New Yorkers, hope to see you at Susan Shapiro's Speed Shrinking event on Aug. 26,

Remember, you can get entertained, educated and inspired by listening live on Sept. 22 at 3 pm EST or later, when Sue appears on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.

By the way, check out a photo here from the most recent Speed Shrinking event.

Apologies to Happy, Healthy Diners, Dreamers & Doers in the City™: Meetup.com Shut Down My Group, Much to My Surprise

Members of my Happy, Healthy Diners, Dreamers & Doers in the City™ group on Meetup, I apologize profusely!

Unfortunately, much to my surprise, the Happy, Healthy Diners group was completely shut down over the weekend.

I was completely shocked, because I received no advance warning!

Frankly, I'm at a loss as to what to do next, because I have no way of contacting the near-200 members in the New York City area to let them know about our planned September dinner.

Therefore, as of now, there is no September meeting, because I just don't have a way of reaching the 15 members, who'd already RSVPed.

Not only was the Happy, Healthy Diners group closed, but all members were removed, and a Meetup staffer has told me that there's no way of finding them!

Given that I try to be a nice person, I'll choose the high road and not go into details, but suffice it to say that I'm upset, because I received no advance warning. (The one warning that finally arrived was only 24 hours in advance, but I never saw it until I hunted through thousands of emails, because I was completing life-coach training with iPEC all weekend and studying for a Sunday morning exam. So I never saw that email until after the group was shut down without my knowledge.)

At present, I'm uncertain as to what I will do regarding using Meetup.

Thank you, as always, for your support.

I do hope that you will continue to be helped, educated and inspired by this SUGAR SHOCK! Blog, the Gab With the Gurus Blog, the new Smart Habits Blog, my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show and my book SUGAR SHOCK!

What are your thoughts about Meetup?

How to Find a Doctor & Nutritionist by Connie Bennett

Does your doctor think your so-called “sugar addiction” is all “in your head”?

Are you feeling frustrated because your physician doesn't understand the power of being sugar-free and eating wholesome, natural foods?

Do you wonder if there are any good doctors out there?

I bring you good news. Yes, plenty of open-minded, nutritionally savvy medical practitioners are available to help you if you're hooked on sugar or if you have hypoglycemia, diabetes, pre-diabetes, gluten intolerance and other health issues.

In the United States, Canada and Great Britain, you can choose from among hundreds of thousands of mainstream and alternative, knowledgeable, open-minded practitioners, many of whom have additional education in nutrition.

Of course, before you pick a doctor, it's wise to do your homework. Make sure that your physician is well trained, competent, caring, sensitive to your needs and educated about blood sugar-related issues such as hypoglycemia and diabetes.

What's more, as the late humorist Erma Bombeck quipped, “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”

Here, then, is a list of organizations, which can offer names of doctors or other medical practitioners.

AlternativeMedicine.org
1650 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920 USA
Phone (800) 515-4325
http://www.alternativemedicine.org

Founded in 1990, AlternativeMedicine.org bills itself as “the leading alternative medicine content provider” in the United States. The group operates a radio show, magazine and book division, and it offers an online, searchable “Find a Practitioner” database.

Happiness: How to Have it Through All the Seasons -- Tips from Marci Shimoff

Marci Shimoff is a master in being happy. The teacher in The Secret is helping millions around the world to achieve that often-elusive state of joy.

Marci, who is author of Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out, has all kinds of jewels to share with you, many of which she shared last year when she appeared as a guest on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show..

In fact, I invite you to listen now to Marci's happiness tips on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.

Anyhow, recently Marci emailed her list with thoughts about summer being her favorite time of year and how hiking up a mountain gave her "that special flavor of happiness" she experiences in these warm months.

But, she points out though that "lasting happiness isn’t dependent on balmy weather." "In fact," she writes, "research shows people living in warm, summery spots are not necessarily happier than those living in colder climates. According to one study, the four happiest places on earth are Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Iceland—not exactly tropical paradises.

"The implications of that are pretty amazing: positive emotions open us up!," Marci writes. "So, how much positivity do we need?" she asks. "...The secret," Marci maintains," lies in internalizing the well-being and freedom you feel during summer (or whatever your favorite season is) and bringing it to everything you do."

Marci Shimoff then offers three ways "you can use the happiness perks of summer to create an 'invincible summer' within yourself year-round:

Sugar Addiction: Get Help to Break Free, Beginning January, at the New York Open Center

Are you struggling with a sugar habit?

If so, you can get help to conquer your habit by attending my four-week seminar, beginning Jan. 12 at the New York Open Center, which is the largest urban holistic center in the United States. The program runs through Feb. 2.

Join me for a complimentary introduction on Jan. 5.

Here's the description of my program at the New York Open Center:

Do you “need” a candy bar or soda just to get through the day? Are you yearning to lose weight for good? Would you like to improve your moods, banish brain fog, triple your energy and boost your libido? You can peel off pounds, gain energy and improve your relationships just by kicking sugar and refined carbohydrates. But removing culprit carbs can be challenging. Join “Smart Habits Girl” Connie Bennett, author of the best-selling book SUGAR SHOCK!, who will show you that breaking free of your sugar habit can be fun, exhilarating and life-changing. In this four-week course, you’ll participate in empowering exercises, eye-opening discussions and coaching scenarios to discover how to identify your tempting triggers and well-meaning saboteurs; how to soothe and nurture yourself in healthy ways; how to use the “5 Ds” to squash your cravings; how to save money on food; what to eat; how to “say no with sass”; if you should quit cold turkey or phase out sweets; how to find hidden sugars; how to release your bingeing-self-loathing cycle; if sugar substitutes are safe; and how to find sweetness naturally.

Here are some other exciting events you may want to attend.

• Oct. 16: Debbie Ford--The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse: Connecting to Your Soul’s Purpose
• Oct. 2: Gary Zukav & Linda Francis- Living an Authentic Life: Making Your Life Count
• Oct. 3 & 4: Living Courageously
• Oct. 12: Karen Armstrong--The Case of God
• Oct. 13: Deepak Chopra--An Evening with Deepak Chopra: Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul
• Nov. 6 & 7: Islam, Sufism and the Heart of Compassion- A Conference (Special Early Bird Pricing if you register by October 8th)
• Nov. 13: Marianne Williamson 11/13: The Spirit of a New World and Nov. 14: Miraculous Living

For additional information or to register by phone, please call 212-219-2527 x 2.

Author Susan Shapiro Shares "Speed Shrinking" Parties With Seekers

Author and writing teacher Susan Shapiro -- who freely admits that therapy helped her personally quit sugar, smoking, drinking, pot and gum -- has come up with an innovative way to get buzz going about her debut novel, Speed Shrinking, and to offer people a way to quickly delve with their issues.

Susan has created "Speed Shrinking" events -- "think speed dating with shrinks" and other self-help gurus, she explains. 

The first such Speed Shrinking event -- which was held in New York City earlier this week at the Knickerbocker Bar -- served as Speed Shrinking book launch party, and it was a fun way to allow a group of self-help experts/authors "speed shrink" the 100 or so attendees.

Those doing the "speed shrinking" were Diana Kirschner (Love In 90 Days), Sherry Amatenstein (The Complete Marriage Counselor), Jonathan Fast (Ceremonial Violence), Frank Flaherty (The Elements of Story), Sherene Schostak (Surviving Saturn's Return), Elizabeth Maxwell (Food for the Soul) and yours truly (SUGAR SHOCK!)

Read about the event in Publisher's Weekly and at the Pomp Lives blog and see our photo below.

On Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, also in New York City, you can attend another fun, helpful Speed Shrinking Book Party and Free Head Shrinking at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. The event is a benefit for the Housing Works, which helps homelessness and AIDS.

Even if you can't make these fun events, you can read Susan's novel, Speed Shrinking, which humorously recounts how fictional how sugar addiction expert Julia Goodman develops an overwhelming reliance on cupcakes when feeling "abandoned" by her therapist, best friend and husband. Frantic to slim down and find help before a major national TV appearance, Julia desperately goes on a shrink shopping spree, seeing 8 in 8 days to find a new analyst. (I'm really cracking up upon reading this book, and, FYI, I'm a former sugar addict, who now walks her talk as a life coach, certified health counselor and "Ex-Sugar Shrew!"

If you're in New York, I hope to see you Wednesday, Wed., Aug. 26, at the Speed Shrinking Book Party and Head Shrinking event at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe.

If you're in another part of the country, I invite you to read Speed Shrinking and to catch our upcoming my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, when Susan will be my guest.

Twitter: Are You Following Me Yet? Catch Up Via Short Updates

Many of you write to me often, asking for more posts, more information, more links to medical studies, more tips to kick sugar and more words of inspiration  -- in other words, you want more!

Usually, you can get a variety of fun things to read here, at the Sugar Shock Blog -- unless I'm off at a conference or vacationing, as I was recently.

But you also can get more frequent, shorter tidbits from me as all.

Just follow me on Twitter to get quick, 140-character updates from me. FYI, I'm known on Twitter as the "Smart Habits Girl."

If you haven't signed up for Twitter yet, you should be. It can be fun, helpful, and eye-opening. Just form your own account here. You might also want to learn about it here, too.

Join us. Follow me on Twitter now.

I also invite you to join my Facebook Smart Habits Fans.