SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

Going Through a Crisis? Dr. Wayne Dyer Can Inspire You Daily

Are you going through a personal or family crisis?

Are you plagued by constant physical pain?

Are you feeling emotionally distraught or downright discouraged due to a breakup or divorce?

Are you watching a loved one suffer agonizing emotional or physical pain due to heart disease, cancer or Alzheimer's disease?

Or are you surrounded by family members, who, because of their own emotional or physical pain, are saying angry, venomous things to you?

If you're going through a challenging situation such as one of those cited above (or something else), I strongly recommend that you

buy the latest book, Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting, from the inspirational Dr. Wayne Dyer.

 

Dr. Dyer is, of course, an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s also the author of more than 30 books, and he has created numerous audio programs and videos and appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.

His new book, Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting, is truly life changing.

I also recommend that you get the new, I AM Wishes Fulfilled Meditation, that Dr. Dyer and James F. Twyman have created. I can't wait to receive it. I'm sure it will be miraculous.

If you can, I also recommend that you catch the remarkable Dr. Dyer in a city near you. I've heard him several times -- so powerful!

Soothing Tunes to Calm You As You Face Anything: What Are Your Favorites?

If you're going through a challenging, stressful or upsetting time, one of the best ways to rise above the situation is to soothe yourself with melodies that calm and comfort you.

Forget comfort foods that send you into Sugar Shock. They don't work!

Music is one of the most exhilarating ways to achieve this serenity and peacefulness. (Meditation works, of course, too. More about that later.)

So please help me compile a list of Soothing Tunes.

For instance, the title Hans Zimmer soundtrack from the film, Gladiator, with the talented Russell Crowe as Maximus, is one of my favorite melodies. Doesn't it evoke a feeling of triumph in you?

Here's another one from Beyonce that's so fun! No matter how big you're a funk you've landed, this'll lift you up.

So what are your favorite Comfort Tunes (not Comfort Foods, of course)?

(Usually, I don't care to share anything personal here, but please know that I have two reasons I'm seeking Comfort Tunes. Of course, my first goal is to help you, because I know music can soothe you in a way that food or other addictions can. Secondly, I'm facing a very trying situation, and I'm seeking to arm myself with a number of powerful, potent tactics to get me through this easily. One of the ways to sail through such pain is with the help of magical melodies.)

Special thanks for the photo used above.

Please submit your ideas for Magical Melodies and Soothing Tunes.

 

Delay Away Your Sugar Cravings (Creatively Procrastinate)

Here's an article I wrote to help you those of you, who are sugar addicts or junk food junkies, who need help to sweetly say, "No, thank you!" when offered those tempting, unhealthy "treats."

Delay Away Your Sugar Cravings™: Creatively Procrastinate to Ditch Your Sugar Addiction & Excess Weight

By Connie Bennett, MSJ, CHC, ACC, CPC

Whenever people meet me, join my Sugar Freedom Now program or work privately with me or read my book SUGAR SHOCK!, they almost immediately ask me (either in person or via e-mail), "How can I overcome my sugar cravings?"

It can be challenging to say "No, thank you!" when your favorite, tempting dessert is right there, in front of you.

Because it's what you do in that very first one or two minutes that can make or break your diet, I'm determined to help you get over that "Must-Have Sugar Now! hurdle."

Let me share a tactic that helped me on many occasions (back in 1998) and that now helps my clients and Facebook Smart Habits Now fans.

One of the most powerful and effective strategies is so simple that you’ll wonder why you never tried it in the first place.

It's this: Simply DELAY before you put any sugar or dessert foods in your mouth. That's right, DELAY before you something that you'll later regret such as when you look at your scale a day or two later or when your pants don't fit anymore or when you become edgy and unfocused after your Sugar High.

Let's be honest: If you do mindlessly nosh on those fast-acting sweets or much-like-sugar carbs™ into your mouth, won't you become feel headachy, wiped out, spaced out, moody, depressed or even angry at yourself (and maybe your loved ones)?

Let me introduce you to the Delay Away Your Sugar Cravings Method™ (also called Do Creative Sugar Procrastination™).

Delay Away Your Sugar Cravings, and Sweetness Will Fill Your Life Instead. -- Connie Bennett

Think about it: Most of us excel at putting things off or procrastinating, right?

We have every good intention to clear off our desks, donate old clothes, organize our drawers, ditch (recyle) those not-needed papers, help kids with their homework, throw out the garbage, etc.?

Clearly, all of us have things we've been planning to do but we just haven't got around to doing it. 

Well, I invite you to take a positive look at procrastinating. It can be a wonderful, Won't-Have-Sugar-Just-Yet Strategy.

I hit upon this incredible simple technique back in 1998 when I reluctantly kicked sweets and refined carbs on doctor's orders. To this day, I continue to be amazed at how easy, effortless, and darn effective it is to just delay.

What's so wonderful about this Delaying Now Method is that people of all ages—unless maybe you’re a tot—can easily cultivate this tactic.

So, here's how to do it: Just promise yourself to delay eating that tempting "treat" for a certain amount of time, say 10 minutes. You can do that, of course!

In other words, you will Delay Away Your Sugar Cravings for 10 minutes at a time. Then, you can delay over and over again -- for another 10 minutes -- for a while, like an hour even. It's that easy!

Now think ahead to the next morning when you're so relieved and proud of yourself that you didn't cave into your cravings.

Here are 7 ways Delaying or Creatively Procrastinating becomes your ally to help you pull the plug on your unwanted sugar addiction. (Delaying is one of the "7 D’s” that I developed to help “Sugar Kickers.”)

1. First delay 10 minutes before you eat that cookie, candy bar or brownie that's calling out to you. When you do that, you begin to detach from your destructive impulses.
2. When you delay for 10 minutes, then another 10 minutes, and another 10 minutes, your cravings will subside while you get involved with other things. At that point, you'll also be able to put your cravings into proper perspective. 
3. When you Delay Away Your Cravings, you're taking powerful, positive, health-promoting action by simple inaction. Yes, doing absolutely nothing can be pivotal when you kick or cut back on sweets and quickie carbs. See how simple this is? 
4. When you delay, you turn procrastinating into a useful, proactive skill. Procrastinating becomes a good thing!
5. When you delay, you can take time to find out which foods—if any—you’re really craving. Is your body really needing cookies, cake, and pretzels? Of course not! Your Amazing Body might instead be begging you for water, fresh vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein or healthy fats?
6. When you delay, you can get in touch with your true feelings. By putting your sugar binging on hold for 10 minutes or more, you can figure out what the heck is really going. Ask yourself, "Why do I feel like I must have these sweets now?"
7. When you delay, you'll be so proud of yourself! You'll be filled with a longer-lasting joy than the very short-lived, self-defeating immediate gratification you'd get from a cookie. What is your real goal? Are you seeking to shed excess weight, get more energy, concentrate better, improve your health and boost your libido? So delaying gives you a chance to think about what you really want rather than suffer the consequences of your moment of weakness.)

Want more simple techniques from Gurus Galore and me? Just join the juicy, life-changing six-week Sugar Freedom Now course, which starts June 14. This session will feature renowned experts such as mindfulness expert Dr. Lilian Cheung and Law of Attraction Expert Christy Whitman. Plus, you'll be able to listen to other inspiring people on the private membership website.

Did You Attend My End-of-Summer Tele-Party? Listen Now

As we now move into fall, I invite you to ask yourself: Are you tired of battling your sugar habit?

Are you fed up with your excess weight?

Have you had enough of those annoying numbers of your bathroom scale?

Are you ready to let go of your mood swings, brain fog, low libido and more?

Then listen to my complimentary Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction, End-of-Summer Tele-Party.

In this program, you will learn 10 Reasons You're Addicted to Sugar.

Just sign up below and learn how to listen to my free program.

In case you're wondering about this cartoon, this is something fun that that I hired clever artist Rose Petruzzi to create to poke fun of Connie, the Ex-Sugar Shrew!

Find out now 10 Reasons You're Addicted to Sugar. 

Just sign up now below so you can listen to my complimentary Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction, End-of-Summer Tele-Party.

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Please let me know what you think of this End-of-Summer Tele-Party.

Gratitude Week: Thank You to All Experts

Now that Gratitude Week has come to a close, I want to extend a very special thank you to the 21 gracious, articulate, amazing experts and bestselling authors, who made this week possible.

My deepest desire is that these empowering gurus will change your life.

For my part, I know that I've been dramatically transformed just from holding these shows and hearing the remarkable thoughts shared by our guests.

Indeed, I'm feeling much better after accidentally smashing head first while running into glass. (In fact, I'm thrilled that my headaches are subsiding -- concussion begone!) Learn about the origins of Gratitude Week on Gab with the Gurus by reading the press release about the event.

Please note that in all 5 shows for Gratitude Week, different angles were covered. And every show was equally fascinating, inspiring and helpful. So I urge you to listen to each and every show.

During Gratitude Week, you received insights on:

• How a practice of gratitude can completely transform your life.
• How being grateful can take you away from your pain
• How gratitude can help you to become creative.
• How grateful people are more optimistic.
• How when you are thankful, your grouchiness takes a hike.
• For what celebrities such as Alicia Keys and Morgan Freeman are grateful.
• How being grateful can help to diminish your stress.
• How an attitude of gratitude helps you become spiritual.
• And much more 

You also received:

• Many wonderful, practical pointers on how you can fit gratitude your daily routine. 
• Tips on how you can slip gratitude exercises here and there to enhance your happiness. 

My heartfelt thanks goes to the following people:

Gratitude Week, Day 5: On Goal Setting, Creativity & Moving through Pain

• Cami Walker, author of the New York Times bestseller, 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life and founder of www.29Gifts.org, a site that encourages people to sign up for a free 29-day giving challenges. Became more grateful after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a month before getting married.
• Dr. Larry Iverson, clinical psychologist and author of Unleash Your Success.  www.DrLarryIverson.com
• Rabbi Irwin Kula, author of the award-winning Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life and recipient of the 2008 Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award. (See Dr. Kula give great suggestions on "Oprah" here.)

Listen to Day 5 here: http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay5-GabWithGurus

Here were Day 4's wonderful guests.

Gratitude Week, Day 4: On Optimism, Managing Stress, Getting in Balance & Being Spiritual

• Dr. Terry Paulson, a psychologist, professional speaker, columnist and author of the new book, The Optimism Advantage. www.optimismadvantage.com
• Howard Martin, author of The Heart Math Solution and founding member of www.HeartMath.com, which researches the heart-brain connection and develops science-based solutions to reduce stress and improve performance
• Mary Treacy O’Keefe, co-founder and president of Well Within in St. Paul, Minnesota. Uses gratitude for stress reduction and spiritual growth. www.WellWithin.org
• Nora Firestone, journalist and founder of www.ThankingOfYou.com, a Web-based forum for posting (and discovering) stories of gratitude to "recognize, affirm and honor" the people who've made a difference in your life.
• Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression, founder of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute, and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health. Amy’s evidence-based yoga protocol is featured on the award-winning DVD series LifeForce Yoga to Beat the Blues. www.yogafordepression.com.

Listen to Day 4 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay4-GabWithGurus

Gratitude Week, Day 3: On Celebrities, Gratitude Lists & Grouchiness

• Todd Aaron Jensen, an award-winning entertainment journalist, a Kundalini yoga instructor, youth baseball coach, father of six and author of the upcoming book, On Gratitude: 50 Celebrities on the Power of Giving Thanks (to be published Sept. 21, World Gratitude Day).
• Ciji Ware, a former KABC radio commentator, who has been keeping a "Gratitude List" for 2666 days (as of July 7). Jotting down 3 things a day for which she is grateful helped her turn her life around. Ciji is also author of the book, Rightsizing Your Life: Simplifying Your Surroundings While Keeping What Matters Most.
• Sally Marks, author of the ebook, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within. She contends that lack of gratitude is probably the number one cause of grouchiness.
• Sue Lundquist, author of “I’m Thankful” and owner of the I’m Thankful™ Network, which is syndicated syndicated across the country. www.ImThankful.com

Listen to Day 3 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay3-GabWithGurus

Gratitude Week, Day 2: On Optimism, Love, Empowerment & Getting "Enough"

• Dr. Stephen G. Post, director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University and author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People http://www.stephengpost.com
• Dr. Diana Kirschner, psychologist and author Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love. http://www.lovein90days.com
• Elizabeth “Lily” Hills, author of the new book, A Feminine Manifesta, which delves into how women have sabotaged themselves by being their own worst critics. It shares how the power of gratitude can transform your life, freeing you up to be the best of who you can be. www.AFeminineManifesta.com
• Sue Lundquist, author of I’m Thankful and owner of the I’m Thankful™ Network, which is syndicated syndicated across the country. www.ImThankful.com
• Erika Oliver, a Positive Approach Coach and author of Happy Crap: The Power of Positive Assumptions! www.erikaoliver.com
• Corinne Gregory, President and Founder of SocialSmarts, a nationally-recognized program for teaching kids and adults positive social skills, character and values, and author of It's Not Who You Know, It's How You Treat Them

Listen to Day 2 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay2-GabWithGurus

Gratitude Week, Day 1: On Happiness, Forgiveness, Coping & Resolving Food Issues

• Dr. Philip Watkins, psychology professor at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. Conducted research on how gratitude contributes to happiness, your ability to cope and be healthy. 
• Dr. Philip Friedman, psychologist and director of the Foundation for Well-Being in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Published three clinical research articles on gratitude and forgiveness as they relate to well-being and change over time using empirical measures (GQ6 and GRATS) www.ForgivenessSolution.com
• Dr. Sharon Livingston, a psychologist who helps people with emotional eating problems and uses gratitude as an essential piece of healing this problem. www.EmotionalEatingSecrets.com
• Robert Mack, positive psychology expert and author, Happiness From the Inside Out: The Art and Science of Fulfillment and a positive psychology expert. www.happinessfromtheinsideout.com

Listen to Day 1 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay1-GabWithGurus

Here are the links to all 5 shows:

Day 1 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay1-GabWithGurus

Day 2 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay2-GabWithGurus

Day 3 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay3-GabWithGurus

Day 4 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay4-GabWithGurus

Day 5 – http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay5-GabWithGurus

Please note that you can subscribe to Gab with the Gurus on iTunes.

Get more details by reading the following press release about Gratitude Week on Gab with the Gurus.

Stay tuned for another Gab with the Gurus Radio Show on Sept. 21 for World Gratitude Day and another show (date TBA) with a couple of gratitude researchers, who were unable to participate in Gratitude Week.

Also, here's another recent Gab with the Gurus Radio Show about gratitude with Stephanie Gunning.

Gratitude Week: Day 4 -- On Optimism, Managing Stress & Being Spiritual

Gratitude Week -- which came about because of my scary accident, where I smashed head first into glass (as you can learn from the following press release) -- continued today on my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show with yet another amazing program.

For Day 4 of Gratitude Week, five articulate, empowering guests shared their insights on the amazing connection between gratitude and becoming optimistic, reducing stress and becoming more spiritual.

Before I tell you about Day 4's guests, you have to learn about this remarkable coincidence.

Much to my delight, as I peeled off today's affirmation on my calendar from internationally acclaimed metaphysical author, speaker and inspirational teacher Louise Hay, I found that it focuses on gratitude!

What are the odds of such a thing occurring? Many people say that there are no coincidences. Whatever the case, on Day 4 of Gratitude Week on Gab with the Gurus -- triggered by my painful, but life-affirming accident -- my Louise Hay calendar spoke to us about the power of gratitude!

Anyhow, these were Day 4's wonderful guests.

Thursday, July 22: Gratitude Week: On Optimism, Managing Stress, Getting in Balance & Being Spiritual

• Dr. Terry Paulson, a psychologist, professional speaker, columnist and author of the new book, The Optimism Advantage. www.optimismadvantage.com
• Howard Martin, author of The Heart Math Solution and founding member of www.HeartMath.com, which researches the heart-brain connection and develops science-based solutions to reduce stress and improve performance
• Mary Treacy O’Keefe, co-founder and president of Well Within in St. Paul, Minnesota. Uses gratitude for stress reduction and spiritual growth. www.WellWithin.org
• Nora Firestone, journalist and founder of www.ThankingOfYou.com, a Web-based forum for posting (and discovering) stories of gratitude to "recognize, affirm and honor" the people who've made a difference in your life.
• Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression, founder of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute, and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health. Amy’s evidence-based yoga protocol is featured on the award-winning DVD series LifeForce Yoga to Beat the Blues. www.yogafordepression.com.

Listen to the show now.

Thanks to the photo I took of my Louise Hay calendar for the artwork contained on this post.

Please note, as you no doubt can guess, that I'm very much a fan of Hay House, the international leader in self-help and transformational publishing. As you may have read here, I recently announced that this wonderful company will be publishing my next book, the follow up to Sugar Shock! Stay tuned for your last chance to help name my next book.

Gratitude Week: Day 2 - Love, Optimism & Losing Weight

Today is Day 2 of Gratitude Week.

On the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, you will learn how saying thanks can lead to even more amazing things.

For instance, when you're grateful, you'll feel more optimistic and empowered.

Plus, when you say "thank you" often and with meaning, your relationships will vastly improve.

What's more, when you you are grateful, you'll discover that you'll feel like you're getting "enough."

As usual, you can listen live to today's Gab with the Gurus Radio Show. Or you can catch it later, at your convenience.

Here's a tinyurl to share with friends: http://tinyurl.com/GratitudeWeekDay2-GabWithGurus

Now for today's roster of inspiring guests:

Tuesday, July 20: Gratitude Week: On Optimism, Love, Empowerment & Getting "Enough"

• Dr. Stephen G. Post, director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University and author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People http://www.stephengpost.com
• Dr. Diana Kirschner, psychologist and author Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love. http://www.lovein90days.com
• Elizabeth “Lily” Hills, author of the new book, A Feminine Manifesta, which delves into how women have sabotaged themselves by being their own worst critics. It shares how the power of gratitude can transform your life, freeing you up to be the best of who you can be. www.AFeminineManifesta.com
• Sue Lundquist, author of I’m Thankful and owner of the I’m Thankful™ Network, which is syndicated syndicated across the country. www.ImThankful.com
• Erika Oliver, a Positive Approach Coach and author of Happy Crap: The Power of Positive Assumptions! www.erikaoliver.com
• Corinne Gregory, President and Founder of SocialSmarts, a nationally-recognized program for teaching kids and adults positive social skills, character and values, and author of It's Not Who You Know, It's How You Treat Them

Listen to the show below at any time.

Listen to internet radio with Gab With the Gurus on Blog Talk Radio

Special thanks to Blog Talk Radio for featuring this show on its home page and blog.

Thank you to www.nuzizo.com/Users/aliassiri2020/UserHome for today's gratitude artwork.

What Celebrity Said "Sugar is the devil."?

Do you know who said "Sugar is the devil."?

Visit this week's current issue of Motivating Morsels Ezine to learn who it was. 

I quote this celebrity in my ezine this week and in my book Sugar Shock!

While I don't generally use this kind of language myself, I would like readers to know that your sugar habit can wreak havoc on your health and moods.

Speakers, Authors, Coaches & Bloggers: Be a Mover & Shaker With Hay House

 

Do you have a powerful message that you're yearning to share with millions in a book, through talks or even on your own radio show?

Are you convinced that you have transformative information that could really help people?

But are you completely stumped as to how to reach all those people so you can change their lives? 

If you have burning desires such as those I just cited, I strongly encourage you to attend one of the upcoming Movers & Shakers events sponsored by Hay House and emceed by bestselling author Cheryl Richardson and Hay House President & CEO Reid Tracy.

Back in December, I attended the first Movers & Shakers event, and I cannot rave about it enough! Over the years, I've attended about 20 wonderful events for authors, speakers, bloggers, social media experts and more, but this Movers & Shakers conference was a powerful event that really pulled it all together for me.

Here's my heartfelt testimonial about this fabulous Movers & Shakers conference:

"If you feel a calling to serve people and help them transform their lives for the better, then you MUST attend the Hay House Movers & Shakers conference! This is a powerful, transformative, life-changing experience that gives you valuable tools, tips and insights, which empower you to be true to yourself and pursue your vision at the same time. As if that's not enough, you also could make the most wonderful friends."

-- “Smart Habits Girl” Connie Bennett, CPC, CHHC, Author, SUGAR SHOCK!

If you're serious about becoming a Mover & Shaker, I strongly recommend that you sign up now for one of these life-changing Hay House Movers & Shakers events. I predict that you'll be enthused, exhilarated and excited when you meet the amazing Cheryl Richardson and Reid Tracy. And guess who will make an appearance to? The amazing Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life and founder of Hay House.

Boston, MA   4/23/10   Boston   Caribbean, Cruise   6/6/10   Movers and Shakers Caribbean Cruise         Reid Tracy Cheryl Richardson     Do you have an important message to share with the world? Are you ready to take your career to a whole new level by expanding your reach, so you can help thousands of people to improve the quality of their lives? Do you have a dream to write a book, build a speaking career, appear on TV, or host your own radio show? I'd love to hear from you if you attend one of these Hay House Movers & Shakers events. Please let me know what you thought. And I hope to connect with you in the special Movers & Shakers page on Facebook after you've attended. Make sure to tell them that Connie Bennett referred you. By the way, Hay House is the cutting-edge publishing and events company, which also presents the inspiring, life-changing I Can Do It conference in Toronto and the I Can Do It conference in San Diego.

Welcome to my Sugar Shock Blog

I'd like to warmly welcome you to my Sugar Shock Blog.

See my new video greeting for you. I invite you to keep coming back for more helpful info, tips and inspiring tidbits. I also invite you to share your thoughts about this blog.

And tell your friends and fans to visit, too, please.

Smart Habits Tips: Get Inspired Daily on Facebook

Your daily habits are what can make or break your moods, projects and relationships.

If you think about it, you'll realize that good habits are easy to add.

As for removing bad habits, well, that may take a little time. After all, you haven't started them overnight.

But a little inspiration our nudge can go a long way.

So I cordially invite you to join the Smart Habits Fans on Facebook and get kick, short, fun, easy Daily Smart Habits Tips.

Just go to http://www.Facebook.com/SmartHabitsFans so that every day, you'll get easy tactics to develop some smart habits to enhance your health and happiness.

Please share your thoughts, ideas and feelings about what I post, too, on the Facebook Smart Habits Fans page.

Isn't it cool how technology now allows people around the world to connect and chat and help each other grow? 

So connect with me now. Let me give you simple pointers every day.

Join the Smart Habits Fans now and get your Daily Smart Habits Tips.

See you soon! And I look forward to your comments, too!

My ABC's to Break Free of Sugar & Other Bad Habits (Babits™)

Have you seen my video yet on YouTube, in which I shared My ABC's to Break Free of Your Sugar Habit and Other Bad Habits?

Here's a companion article to give you more information and tips to release your bad habits or what I call babits™.

My ABC's to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Other Bad Habits by Connie Bennett, CPC, CHHC

If you’re like most people, you’re often tempted by gorgeous, mouth-watering, nutrient-poor “treats”—dazzling donuts, colorful cereal or buttered bagels—and other bad habits such as excessive coffee-drinking, negative thinking, procrastinating and obsessive texting. 

As I mentioned on my companion YouTube video, It's certainly understandable if you feel tempted. Wherever you go and wherever you live, you’re inevitably bombarded by unhealthy foods, substances, thoughts and activities.

But I invite you to look inside and decide: Do you feel trapped or imprisoned by your sugar habit or other bad habit (what I call a babit™)?

And are you plagued by baffling health issues such as annoying weight gain, ferocious headaches or even type 2 diabetes?

I’m here to reassure you. You can escape from the prison of a bad habit.

In fact, I respectfully challenge you. Get out from under your sugar habit or other babits™ so that you can have a life that rocks!

You may be wondering WIFY (What's In It For You?) if you overcome your bad habit. You can benefit in many ways!

Women & Men: Understand & Celebrate Each Other with Alison Armstrong

Women, do you get baffled as to why your significant other or your would-be honey behaves a certain way?

Men, do women mightily confuse you and you just don't know how to please them?

Fret no more!

Join us on the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show to gain an understanding and appreciation of the opposite sex.

My guest on Wed., Jan. 27 at 2 pm EST is the renowned transformational leader Alison Armstrong, creator off the acclaimed Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women and author of the fascinating books Making Sense of Men and Keys to the Kingdom, as well as the creator of the In Sync with the Opposite Sex CD and other transformative products.

Remember, as with all Gab With the Gurus Radio Shows, you can listen to the show with Alison Armstrong either live or later, at your convenience.

You'll get goodies galore on this Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.

You'll undoubtedly be entertained, educated and motivated as Alison Armstrong shares insights and tips on how to get along with and please the opposite sex.

This radio show --will make you realize, I predict, how little you know about men or women. For instance, you will learn many things such as:

• How most women are "frog farmers," who turn princes into frogs. (You'll love this fascinating concept, I'm convinced.)
• What the biggest gifts men can give to women. (Guys, these presents are free!)
• What 3 traits men consider appealing. (Ladies, you may be surprised.)
• What men really mean by the phrase "high maintenance" and how most of us women completely misunderstand the concept.
• How from the get go, as we grow up, we've been given false premises regarding men or women.
• How much fun it is to appreciate the opposite sex.
• How men seek to score points. (Ladies, you'll love this concept, I suspect, and you'll learn how to use this in your favor.)
• What we ladies look for in men. (You'll be intrigued.)
• What drove Alison to become one of the leading experts on men with thousands of followers worldwide. (Hint: It started with a bad relationship.)
• How many of us go-getting chicks have been acting like "men in skirts." (Uh-oh! Mea culpa! But no more!)
• How women on the fast track are denying their femininity and killing themselves.
• What "feeling safe" means to women.
• How saying heartfelt thank yous to the men in your life can work wonders in your relationship.
• How eating sugar, white flour and drinking coffee can make you masculine.
• And much more.

You'll also learn how Alison's company, PAX Programs, offers amazing programs to help you become authentic, fun, self-loving and more enticing to the opposite sex.

• In fact, women, I strongly recommend that you sign up now for this remarkable, eye-opening course, Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women.
• And men, I invite you to discover the joys of the female sex by learning about the Understanding Women, Unlock the Mystery course.
• And I encourage everyone to learn about Alison's fascinating books, Making Sense of Men and Keys to the Kingdom, as well as other fascinating products.

Now it's time for me to be transparent with you wonderful Sugar Shock Blog readers. Despite the fact that I'm a trained journalist, who strives for objectivity, and a life coach and health counselor, who seeks to help clients find answers themselves, I'm biased about Alison! Suffice it to say that I'm what can best be called a "groupie," who has attended several PAX programs!

However, the reason for my enthusiasm and excitement is valid. As I've discovered, PAX programs offered by Alison and other trained workshop leaders are powerful, insightful, entertaining and simply life changing!

I'm in good company. Thousands of women and men around the world rave about PAX programs, including singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, who said this:

“Alison’s deep understanding and love of men moved me to a whole other level of clarity and peace about a gender that has confounded me for a long time. I feel like the wool has been pulled from my eyes and I can see men in a new and more loving way.”

Alanis Morissette, Singer-Songwriter

So do yourself a favor now!

• First, women and men, listen to this fun, enlightening Gab With the Gurus Radio Show with Alison Armstrong. (You can tune in any time that's convenient for you.)
• Then, ladies who are unfamiliar with PAX Programs, sign up for the amazing Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women course and/or other workshops in Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Seattle and other cities.
• And women and men, no matter where you live around the world, you'll be intrigued by Alison's books so I recommend that you get her fascinating books Making Sense of Men and Keys to the Kingdom, as well as other fascinating products.

Listen now to this eye-opening Gab With the Gurus Radio Show with Alison Armstrong.

Please feel free to spread the word and tell your friends and loved ones about this Gab With the Gurus Radio Show with Alison Armstrong. Just listen below to the show whenever you like.

Be My Facebook Fan or Friend

Have you joined me yet on Facebook?

I invite everyone to connect with me now on Facebook.

You can join me in two ways.

Join the Smart Habits Fans (that's http://www.Facebook.com/SmartHabitsFans) to:

• Get a Smart Habit Tip of the Day to help you kick sugar or break other bad habits (or what I call babits™), improve your life and inspire you, I hope!
• Watch cool videos.
• Receive links to interesting articles and much more.
• Get tasty recipes.
• Connect with me easily.
• Ask questions.
• Get the scoop about upcoming talks, teleseminars and radio shows.
• Find out about how to work with me privately or in groups. 
• Tell me what you think of my book SUGAR SHOCK!
  

You're also invited to become my Facebook friend -- that's http://www.Facebook.com/ConnieBennett.

When you ask me to be your friend, please let me know how I know you, because I always like to learn more about you first. I love meeting new people!

For instance, when you ask me to be your Facebook friend, please tell me:

• If we met at a conference or at one of my talks.
• If you read my book SUGAR SHOCK!
• If you're a fellow health counselor, life coach, author, journalist, solopreneur or wellness advocate.

Connect with me now.

First, join the Smart Habits Fans.

Then, become my Facebook friend now. (Remember, please tell me how we know each other so we can make this connection more personal.)

Meatless Monday: Will You Join Us?

Tomorrow, I'm joining the important Meatless Monday campaign.

I now pledge to do my part in 2010 to help reduce meat consumption by 15 percent "in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet." 

Will you, too, join this important, healthy, fast growing movement, which is a non-profit initiative sponsored in association with the Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health?

Of course, you smart, astute, health-conscious readers will have questions. Get answers and learn important information below how going meatless on Monday can improve your health, save gasoline and much more.

Get some history about this important program.

Why go Meatless?

Why Monday?

Learn about Movers & Shakers going Meatless.

And find out about Top Meatless Monday Moments in 2009 involving Michael Pollan, the movie Food, Inc., Al Gore, Lou Dobbs, Glen Beck, Laura Ingraham, Kathy Freston and Paul McCartney. 

Make Meatless Monday one of your New Year's resolutions, too.

Let's get down to basics now. What can you eat if you skip the meat?

It’s very easy to go meatless on Monday. Instead of having chicken, beef or pork, just get your protein (2 to 3 servings) from beans, legumes, eggs, nuts and seeds instead.

Naturally, you'll want to eat ample vegetables (5 to 5 servings) and fruits (2 to 3 servings), as well as, whole grains (if you choose) and small portions of quality fats (2 to 3 tablespoons).

Plus, I'm excited to learn, the Meatless Monday folks encourage you to limit sweets, sweetened beverages, fried foods, salty snacks and foods with hydrogenated oils. Of course, as readers of this Sugar Shock Blog and my book SUGAR SHOCK! know,  I highly recommend cutting out or at least cutting back on sugary foods and drinks for the sake of your health, moods and relationships.

Get some tips on easy substitutions to eat here.

Now get answers on your nutritional quandaries.

Learn about Seasonal Picks.

Join the Movement now.

Learn about Meatless Monday in the Media. 

Listen to what the experts are saying.

Get some Monday Recipe Videos, too.

You can even get cool ideas for foods to try on the Meatless Monday site. Learn now about magnificent almonds. and get a recipe for Almond Butter Cups. (I'm not sure if the chocolate chips are sugar-free. I hope so.)

Are you a blogger. Join Bloggers on Board to promote Meatless Monday to our readers.

Special thanks to Joshua Rosenthal, founder and executive director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, for inspiring me to join Meatless Monday. It was this article, which I learned about on Facebook, which inspired me to action.

Find out about IIN this Thursday, Jan. 7 from 3 pm to 3:30 pm EST, when I'm interviewed for a teleseminar/webinar. Sign up now.

Sugar Addicts: Get Free Support Now

Now, that it's a new year, would you like to overcome your sugar addiction?

In 2010, would you like to to connect with others, who also want to break free from a sugar habit and its accompanying frustrations?

And would you like to get support, encouragement and motivation from people who've successfully conquered their sugar addiction and carb addiction?

It would be my honor and privilege if you'd allow me to help you break free of your frustrating habit this year.

As I learned back in 1998, when you conquer your sugar addiction and carb addiction, life opens up to you in ways that you may have previously thought unimaginable. You may feel reborn like me!

Allow me to help you learn the wonders, joys and exhilaration that you get from leading a life free of an attachment to sweets and other artificial substances.

You can get support, encouragement and information to kick your sugar addiction in several ways.

• Perhaps the best place to connect and chat with successful Sugar Kickers and soon-to-be Sugar Kickers is on Facebook, on the Smart Habits Fans page. There, you can ask questions, receive tips and tactics, get links to interesting articles, watch intriguing videos, learn about free teleseminars, lectures, coaching programs, get links to downloads and have access to me. Although I have a regular Facebook account elsewhere, if you're a reader of SUGAR SHOCK! or desire support for your sugar habit, the Smart Habits Fans page is the best place to go.
• You're also invited to join the Stop Sugar Shock support group on Ning, where you can post a profile, ask questions, chat with fellow members, get information, watch videos, share recipes and more. I am hosting this site with my friend and colleague James Hahn II, who, like me, is a former sugar addict and life coach. In Stop Sugar Shock, you can learn about James' remarkable journey to freedom here, in which he he peeled off nearly 100 pounds just by removing sugar. We hope to see you in Stop Sugar Shock soon. (Please note that this group began in Nov. 2002 as KickSugar on Yahoo, and it has now been renamed as Stop Sugar Shock and moved to Ning, which offers more interactive features.)
• You also can attend a variety of free and paid programs with me, which I tell you about on this blog. For instance, no matter where you live around the country and world, I'm offering a free teleseminar/webinar on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 3 pm EST with my friends from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which I attended. Find out now how you can have lunch with me in New York City (my treat) if you attend IIN, starting in February.
• Then, on Monday, Jan. 11 at 8 pm EST, I'm offering another free teleseminar/webinar. Get details about this event by subscribing to my free Motivating Morsels ezine.
• For those of you serious about changing your life and making your dreams come true, I also offer private and group coaching. Learn about coaching with me here.

I hope to see you very soon on Facebook or in Stop Sugar Shock and to meet you on one of my upcoming teleseminars/webinars.

Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction, etc. & Be Happy With Me in 2010!

Wishing you very happy new year to all you wonderful readers of this Sugar Shock Blog.

May your 2010 be the year in which you fulfill your fondest dreams and wishes.

Now, I invite you to start the year on a very happy, liberating note with me!

If you're in New York:

• Please join me New Year's Day, Jan. 1 at 1 pm, for my free inspiring talk where I help you to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction and other Bad Habits at the JCC in Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street).
• If you can't make it then, then join me on Jan. 5 at 6 pm at the New York Open Center for another free motivating talk.
• You're also invited to sign up for four-week program to help you break free of sugar shock, starting Jan. 12 at the New York Open Center.
• On Fri., Jan. 14, from 12 to 3 pm, you're encouraged to come hang out with me at Willner's Chemists at 100 Park Ave. in Midtown, when I sign copies of my book SUGAR SHOCK! (You'll have a chance to have your questions answered.)

If you're in another part of the country or world, please join us virtually or telephonically so that you can still get tips, tactics and tempting tidbits.

• On Mon., Jan. 4, I'm on call for you. You can call me anytime from 3 to 5 pm EST for a 15-to-20-minute complimentary Laser Coaching Session to plan strategies to achieve your dreams in the new year. To get details, subscribe to Motivating Morsels at http://www.SugarShock.com.
• Then, you're invited to on Wed., Jan. 6 at 2 pm on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show to learn how to be happy with author Gretchen Ruben. You can listen live or later. 
• Next, on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 3 pm EST, you can attend a fun teleseminar/webinar with my friends from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.(You can listen later or you miss it live.) Sign up now for the IIN-sponsored call.
• Next, on Mon., Jan. 11 at 8 pm EST, you can join us from anywhere around the world for a complimentary teleseminar/webinar to learn how to make your New Year's Resolutions a Reality. Sign up for my free Motivating Morsels ezine to get the call-in details.
• On Wed., Jan. 6 at 4 pm EST, one of my Break Free Group Coaching programs resumes. (This one is devoted to helping you to kick sugar. Sign up here.)
• You're also invited to save the date. On Feb. 24, you can join the Great American Sugar-Out. Details coming.

Sugar Addiction, Caffeine Addiction, Etc.: 10 Steps to Break Free

Are you frustrated and discouraged by your habit of consuming sugar, coffee or diet soda, as well as procrastinating, smoking, being habitually late, obsessively checking emails, nail biting or other bad habits? 

Are you discouraged that, up until now, you’ve often gone out of your way to cave into your “cravings” to unhealthy “treats” or patterns?

Wouldn’t it be nice to Break Free of Your Bad Habits (what I call “Babits™”) for good?

I bring you hope. You CAN Break Free of Your Babits™ such as your dependence on sugary foods, coffee, soda (both with sugar and artificial sweeteners), alcohol, late nights and putting thing off. When you cut loose of babits such as sugar addiction, you will receive many physical, emotional and spiritual benefits.

Perhaps it's “Time to Say Good-Bye”. Just get encouraged and moved to action from Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. (Listen below.)

Indeed, as I recounted in my book SUGAR SHOCK!, after quitting sugar and refined carbs on doctor’s orders in 1998, all 44 of my ailments, from crushing fatigue to brain fog, completely disappeared! I was amazed! You, too, can learn that licking sweets (pun intended) and other health-robbing substances, as well as unproductive habits, can help you to:

• Shed excess weight,
• Get consistent energy,
• Boost your moods,
• Calm you down,
• Become more spiritual and centered,
• Increase your passion and productivity,
• Reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer or hypoglycemia,
• Manage these conditions, if you have them,
• Rev up your libido,
• Reduce your PMS symptoms,
• And so much more!

In short, removing sugar and other negative patterns can help you get a Life That Rocks!™. Here are 10 smart steps, which can help you break free of your sugar addiction and other babits™ (bad habits).

1. Congratulate Yourself. To begin your journey to health and wellness, I invite you to pat yourself on the back. You may wonder why you would want to do that, especially if you’ve spent years abusing your body. You want to applaud yourself, because the mere fact that you’re beginning to look at your sugar addiction or other bad habit is big! The first step to break away from sweets, refined carbs and other babits™ is to NOT beat up on yourself. Granted, you may have gobbled or guzzled high-calorie nutrient-poor sugary foods and drinks over the years, but now is a time to be gentle with yourself, to treat yourself with compassion and to take pride that you’re taking the much-needed first step to treat your body with love and care. Go ahead: Lavish some praise and kudos on yourself now that you’re finally confronting the bad habit that’s been plaguing you—perhaps for years. Share your excitement in your journal or in a heart-to-heart conversation with a loved one. Then imagine that you’re at the starting line of a race like a runner athlete and that you’re ready to make a massive positive shift. Please also remember to acknowledge and celebrate your every little accomplishment. For example, when you make it through a meal without sugary foods, diet soda or caffeine—or if you at least consume less of them—take pride and applaud yourself. After all, each time you make healthier choices, you get closer to more energy, a trimmer body and a better life. 

2. Move With Your Mind & Mantra. Before you begin to try to kick your sugar addiction or another babit™, it’s time to embark on Seven Smart Starter Habits (through Step #8) to cement your confidence that good health, inner calm and new patterns await you. That’s because whenever you seek to remove an old habit and replace it with a new one, your work begins before you even try to make changes. In other words, before you begin to “diet” or make important lifestyle changes, you want to convince your mind that you CAN succeed. Begin each day knowing in the depth of your being that you’ve already licked your unhealthy habit. To get both your subconscious and conscious mind to accept that you’ve succeeded—or are on the path to succeeding—create an easy-to-repeat phrase, affirmation or mantra such as “I, [Your Name], choose only nourishing foods and drinks, which keep me slim, toned and healthy.” Repeat your positive statement at least 30 times a day. Make sure to say it in the morning, right after you wake up, and in the evening, before you go to sleep. Repeating it about 10 to 20 times before meals also can help. Back in 1998, when I finally kicked sugar, repeating my mantra enabled me to succeed. Now, my clients find this technique effective, too.

Dr. Mehmet Oz Speaks With Online Journalists

Dr. Mehmet Oz, in an effort to drum up support for "New Year, New You" episodes on The Dr. Oz Show, is on the phone now with a number of us online journalists.

Shows in early January will help Americans after they come back from the holidays, because this is, as he put it, "a teachable time in their lives."

"The most novel thing that we focus on is that you will fail [on your diet]," Dr. Oz points out.  "The question is how you'll deal with the failure."

When you drive and go the wrong way, your GPS calmly tells you how to get back on track, Dr. Oz continues, implying that Dr. Oz can serve as viewers' medical GPS.

In the "New Year, New You" shows, Dr. Oz says, "we give you tools to cheat and tips to get you back on track."

"We are flawed," he observes. "We celebrate Americans where we are and [help  you] get over emotional burdens."

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask Dr. Oz a question, and I jumped in to ask the first question. I wanted to know about his daily routine.  Many of you have been wondering how he looks so good and has so much energy. Here's what he said:

• He wakes up at 5:45 a.m.
• Next comes a seven-minute yoga stretch.
• Then he has breakfast when he get to work. He advises eating within the first hour of waking and having a high-fiber, high-protein breakfast. 
• Next, he recommends making sure that you begin [your work or everything] on time. "If you're late, you're out of control," he points out.
• Finally, Dr. Oz goes to sleep "religiously" by 10:30 at night. "That's an easily achievable goal [for] Americans" in the new year.

Stay tuned for other updates, because he's still answering questions and I'm writing this up quickly.

Quick confession from Connie: This is embarrassing, but somehow my computer just lost a bunch of notes from this interview conference call!

So I won't be able to get you any more updates. (Guess that's what I get from still not feeling up to snuff, with being sick and all.)

But Dr. Oz did have some valuable information to impart about the values of sleep and fish oil and tips to get you through the holiday season. One recommendation for the latter had to do with always keeping one hand free when at parties and not drinking one alcoholic drink after another.

You can catch Dr. Oz's pearls of wisdom every day on The Dr. Oz Show. To learn when the show airs in your area, go here.

Get a Musical "High" from Philip Glass, Etc. (Smart Habit of the Week)

Late yesterday afternoon, despite the fact that I was still getting over a hacking cough, sore throat, exhaustion, etc. -- which has kept me home bound for six days -- I wrapped myself up and ventured out into the rain to catch the York premiere of a String Sextet by my favorite living American composer Philip Glass.after I  learned about the performance from his calendar.

Obviously, I'm passionate about music by Philip Glass, which I find mesmerizing, hypnotic and exhilarating.

Sure enough, after the Philip Glass concert, I felt joyful, upbeat and uplifted.

In short, I got "high," but not from sugar, alcohol, drugs or any other substance.

You may be wondering how my musical tastes can help you. Well,  I invite you: Please contemplate:

- How do you feel after listening to your favorite composer?

- What emotions well up in your soul?

- How does the music change your attitude and outlook?

- What do you feel like doing when or after listening to some melodic tunes?

If you're like most people, music -- the international language -- will cheer you up, calm you down and boost your optimism.

It even can help you fall asleep or become productive,

So I urge you to take the musical passion challenge. Read on to learn more.

But first find out if Philip Glass triggers your musical passion, too. Do you get "high" after listening to the soundtrack to the movie, The Hours?

Perhaps now you'll understand why I think that getting The Hours CD is highly effective bad-habits-breaker.

Now listen to part of his famous opera, Koyaanisqatsi:

Now it's time to take your musical challenge. I invite you: The next time, you long to grab a high-calorie, sugary brownie; a cup of whipped-cream-topped coffee, an eggnog or a cigarette, instead get high on your favorite music! This will be, I hope, one of your favorite, Smart Habits.

Please let us know which music gets you "high." Submit your suggestions here for the Music That Uplifts You list I'm putting together.