SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

Northern Californians: Get Sweet Help to Shed Your Sugar Habit on April 13 at Book Passage

Sugar and carb addicts in the Bay Area or northern California, come meet me personally and get help so you can triumph over your potentially deadly sugar and carb habit.

Thanks to the amazing group, Left Coast Writers -- which supports new and established writers -- you can get simple tips and tools to free you from your addiction on Sat., April 13 at 7 pm at Book Passage in Corte Madera. 

FYI, the timing for this event is fortuitous. It takes place two days before my 15-year anniversary of  being mostly sugar-free!

In this April 13th program, "Break Free of Sugar with Ease and Glee," you will get "A hah" moments and easy information to put to use immediately.

You'll discover simple, but powerful starter secrets to:

• Become the master of your sugar cravings -- and then turn them into your reliable allies.
• Turbocharge your Sugar-Free Power.
• Dodge the #1 mistake nearly everyone makes when quitting or reducing sweets.
• Activate the positive power of procrastination.(Huh? Trust me -- it's a simple, calming tool.) 
• Pick yourself up after you’ve “slipped” and fallen off your less or no-sugar plan.
• Dissolve your desire for dangerous sweets but still enjoy tasty chocolate treats. You’ll even find out how to get recipes for healthy choco-goodies.
• Stop being duped by innocent-looking, seductive foods that are actually sugar traps.
• Laugh at my -- and your -- silly-on-sugar behavior. (You'll chuckle at my former Sugar Shrew ways!)

You'll also get to try tasty, sugar-free Power Balls and a Coco-Mousse, that will melt in your mouth! I'm bringing these yummy chocolate delights, courtesy of my friend Naomi Tomoda from the farmer's market. (Check back here, on this Sugar Shock Blog, for photos of these delicious treats from Naomi's company, Mami's Crunch.)

Special thanks to Left Coast Writers founder Linda Watanabe McFerrin, who invited me to this event. (Stay tuned to learn about Linda's sugar story.)

In case, you don't know my story, here's my short bio so you'll learn why I'm so committed to helping you break free.

Why I Want to Free You from Sugar: My Bio & Tale

Connie Bennett is a charismatic transformational speaker, bestselling author, life coach, health coach, and self-mocking former sugar addict, who is now known as The Sugar Liberator. An experienced journalist, Connie is author of the new book, Beyond Sugar Shock: The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter, an international bestseller that has been endorsed by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Christiane Northrup, and Dr. Daniel Amen. Her first book, Sugar Shock! How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life—And How You Can Get Back on Track, was a bestseller that was praised by America’s Favorite Doctor, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Connie’s sour-to-sweet journey began in 1998, when she was pummeled by 44 scary ailments, including crushing fatigue, brain fog, horrible headaches, roller-coaster mood swings, heart palpitations, and severe PMS.  When Connie’s new doctor blamed every symptom on her excessive sugar habit and ordered her to "Quit eating sugar or die young," Connie very reluctantly shed her habit. Much to her surprise, all her ailments vanished, and Connie became energetic, focused, and free.

Connie finally succeeded in shedding her dangerous sugar addiction after years of failing, because while transitioning from sugar-gorging to becoming mostly sugar-free, Connie created or discovered simple, cool tools, which helped her transform the dreaded, difficult undertaking into a positive, fun-filled, life-changing adventure.

Since 2001, Connie has been coaching, guiding, inspiring and uplifting thousands of carb junkies worldwide to easily, playfully release their addiction to discover that Life is Sweeter When Sugar Doesn’t Seduce You™.

Connie runs the popular Sugar Freedom Now Retreat, a virtual and/or live event, which is the companion program to Beyond Sugar Shock. She also hosts the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, for which she interviews top names in a variety of fields from health to the Law of Attraction.and hosts the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show. Connie studied at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Get free gifts at www.Connie-Bennett.com

Connie is now planning The Sugar Freedom Tour, which celebrates her 15 years of being mostly sugar-free and is dedicated to her recently deceased mother. To invite Connie to visit your area, apply here.

Easter or Passover: You're Stronger Than These "Treats"

With Easter around the corner and Passover here, sugary "treats" will inevitably tempt you.

That's our world's sugary reality.

My role today is to help you to be at peace with that situation.

So let me prepare you as you face those enticing chocolate malt balls (my favorites back in 1998),
chocolate marshmallow eggs, Easter sugar cookies, rugelah, Haroset (that's appple, cinnamon, honey, and wine), and more.

Whenever you view these sugary temptations, I invite you to arm and protect yourself with four quickie tactics.

1) When you see sweets, think "I am stronger than these desserts. I am strong enough to say no! I can say no."

2) Look at these desserts with wonder and curiosity -- as if you were a child. Try to discover why these sweets look so darn shiny, tempting or delectable. If packaged cookies are seemingly calling out to you,
study that food label carefully -- as if you were cramming for a final exam!

If a friend or family member made the dessert, politely ask her or him (if you have a good relationship), what ingredients she used to create such a beautiful and enticing dish.

3) Before you dip your fork or finger into any of these "treats," ask yourself, "Why
am I doing this?"

4) If you choose to have any desserts or "treats," make sure to savor it BIG TIME. And decide in advance how to sete some limits. Choose ahead of time exactly how many bites you'll have.

When you've reached your allotment, get off the table, and think to yourself, "I love myself enough to stop now."

5) Inwardly boast, "I did it! I did it!" I took control over my sugar habit! Woo Hoo!"

I hope these tips help you have a glorious Easter and/or Passover.

Remember, you are strong, and you have the power to choose what goes into
your lovely body.

And remember, if you want to nibble, you can always choose hard-boiled eggs (which are full of wonderful nutrients -- even the yolks) and vegetables.

Have a wonderful Easter or Passover.

By the way, stay tuned for an announcement of my FR*EE Teleseminar on Wed., April 18 at 5 pm PST (8 pm EST) on "7 Habits that Keep You Tracked In Your Sugar Addiction -- and How to Break Free."

Sugar Shock Readers: What Would You Like in My Next Book? (Last Call)

Attention, readers of my first book, Sugar Shock.

This is the last call for any ideas on what to include in my next book.

I'm now making last-minute changes and editing to my next book, The Sugar Shock Diet,which will be released next year by Hay House. (Here's the original announcement.)

My next book will provide you a simple, six-week mind-body-spirit plan that will allow you to easily cut back on those quickie carbs so you can shed excess weight, boost your libido, increase your energy, and much more.

Please, dear readers of Sugar Shock, as I'm doing final rewriting and editing for Sugar Shock Diet, tell me what you'd like to see included.

What would make your life easier and sweeter?

Please tell us now, on this Sugar Shock Blog, and on the Facebook Smart Habits Fans Page what you'd like to see in this next book.

Cherish Your Cravings

If you're like most people around the world, your cravings for chocolate, candies or chips often get the best of you -- especially late at night in front of the fridge, in mid-afternoon when the ice cream truck rolls around or mid-morning, when the vending machine "calls out" to you.

But, like millions, within a few minutes of “acting out” – caving into chocolate, chips or soda – you feel discouraged, depressed and downright disappointed in yourself, right?

Don't you just HAT*E the fact that you can’t say “No!” to quickie-carb temptations? Isn't it annoying and aggravating that your sugar cravings won’t leave you alone? And aren't you just disgusted with yourself for your lack of self-control?

Wait a minute! I will NOT let you beat up on yourself! 

Instead, I'm here to give you another way to look at those cravings. Let me present a gentle, loving, grateful way to approach them.

Your sugar cravings -- or other cravings -- aren’t your enemies there frustrate, annoy or ruin you!  Of course, if you keep giving into these carb clamorings, you may set yourself up for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, hypoglycemia, depression, Alzheimer's disease and many more life-threatening ailments.

Instead, your sugar or other cravings are your body’s smart way of whispering to you valuable clues, revealing vital messages and offering you importance guidance as to what you need and when.

Think about it.

When that gotta-have-a-certain-food-feeling strikes, your body is nudging you.

Your body is murmuring, or maybe even shouting,  “Please pay attention to me! You’re not giving me
what I need!”

Well, I invite you to begin right now to greet your Whispering or Yelling Sugar Cravings with the zeal of
detective.

Yes, trust your cravings. Have confidence in your cravings. Rely on them, because your cravings know best what your body needs.

Take a moment now to begin to Decode Your Cravings™ (as I call it).

Please join me in a quick exercise. Pretend you’re slipping out of your body as you would yesterday’s clothes. Now imagine that you’re watching yourself on a movie screen.

Then, quietly listen to your cravings and see what comes up. To get you started, here are 3 of at least 15 messages your body may be giving you.

1. “You’re not giving me enough sleep! I’m going to give you sugar cravings until I get those necessary zzzs.” (That used to be a big one for me. Whenever I was tired, my carb cravings came on in full force.)

2. “I’m desperate. Please give me some water! Quench my thirst now or I’ll give you sugar cravings to attract your attention!”

3. “Give me protein! I need organic eggs, grass-fed chicken or high-quality fish—and now.”

Remember, I’ve only shared 3 of about 15 messages your body is sharing with you. (You can learn the other 12 in my Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program.

So are you ready to greet your cravings cordially -- and even put out the welcome mat?

Again, please understand that your cravings are your  body’s smart of pleading with you to be more conscious, mindful and loving of it so it can do its work for you.

Your cravings are BEGGING you to give your body what it needs.

Nowadays, one of my burning missions is to help millions of you Decode Your Sugar Cravings™. 

In fact, for 12 years now, I’ve been gathering ideas on how to squash cravings from thousands of sugar addicts and hundreds of experts.

In my current Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program, for instance, you get at least 50 Tips to Topple Your Sugar Cravings™.

And next week, I'll share one really simple, valuable, cutting edge, cravings-squashing technique that’s received rave reviews for its effectiveness. (Stay tuned.)

As you may recall, I'm now at work on my next book, Beyond Sugar Shock for Hay House, which offers a six-week program to release your sugar or carb habit. But you don't need to wait until my book comes out in early 2012 to learn how to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks. Just go to http://www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

By the way, please note that the current Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction Program began Tuesday, but you can just listen to an audio replay to join us. Incidentally, in this interactive course, you’ll get Motivating Messages, interviews with experts, coaching and Q & A sessions. Plus, you’ll discover many
exciting tools and techniques, including (1) what 1 word in the English language to avoid; (2) what 1 activity that many view negative is powerful to conquer cravings and (3) how to have fun quitting or cutting back on sugar (you heard me right!). Join us now at http://ww.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

If you're new to my Sugar Shock Blog, you may be wondering why I'm ideal to help you Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks. Here are 10 reasons:
(1) Kicking sugar is easy for you with this program.
(2) I’ve been sugar-free (about 98 percent) for 12 years.
(3) I can feel your pain, frustration and anguish because I used to have a sugar addiction, carb addiction and (years earlier) an eating disorder.
4) This Break Free Program has been in development for 12 years, and what’s included is based on the needs, wishes and desires of people like you.
5)Already, I’ve helped thousands of Successful Sugar Kickers around the world.
6) The price is super right and very low. Right now, you pay only $147 for 6 live teleseminars/webinars, 7 bonus audios, laser coaching, short Motivating Messages and Question & Answer sessions.
7) I’ve received extra training to help you—that’s why I became a certified health coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and a certified life coach with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.
(8) I’m author of the book Sugar Shock, for which I interviewed hundreds of recognized physicians, nutritionists, researchers and health advocates. Sugar Shock has been praised by numerous people, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Marilu Henner and more.
(9) Your questions will be answered in this program.
10) I’m still adding tools and tips based on your requests. (In fact, yesterday, after a Break Free
participant expressed worries about her particular situation, I added a bonus program to give
solutions to this common challenge.  When you sign up at http://www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com, you’ll learn about this subject—it’s hot. Hope to "see you" soon to help you Decode Your Sugar Cravings™ and Get Sweeter Naturally™. 

If you duplicate the above blog post, please provide the following credit. Connie Bennett, CHHC, CPC, ACC is author of the bestselling book, Sugar Shock!, which has been praised by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Marilu Henner and many others. She is now writing her next book, Beyond Sugar Shock, for Hay House. Connie is a certified life coach, certified health coach, experienced journalist and host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, which is available on iTunes. Connie is also a former sugar addict, who is now dedicated to helping people around the world to Break Free of their Sugar Addiction and Other Bad Habits (what she calls Babits™). Connie is founder of the acclaimed Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program. To Learn 10 Reasons You are Hooked on Sugar, listen to Connie's Free Tele-Party. Then act now to take advantage of the Pre-Fall Special at www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

The Rats Who Preferred Sugar Over Cocaine

Here's a Letter I Sent to My Mailing List, which is now making its way around the Internet.

Have you heard about the rats who found sugar or saccharin more tantalizing than cocaine?

That’s right, in a fascinating study, most of the critters studied — a whopping 94 percent — wanted sugar or saccharin, NOT cocaine.

 

 

Anyhow, today, while doing some research for my next book,  Beyond Sugar Shock -- the follow-up to my first book Sugar Shock -- I was reminded of this fascinating study from Dr. Serge Ahmed, a scientist with the University of Bordeaux in France.

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Serge while on a ferry en route to a Food Addiction conference on IslandWood, Bainbridge Island to give fitness guru Jack LaLanne a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Incidentally, LaLanne, who turns 96 on Sept. 26, has been sugar-free for more than EIGHT decades.
(By the way, you can listen to a special radio interview I conducted with Jack here.)

Back to the glorious commuter boat ride with Dr. Serge Ahmed.

Just imagine: There I am, grateful to have the good fortune to hang out with one of the most fascinating scientists, who is studying my top area of interest, sugar addiction!

In fact, I’ve been so intrigued by the topic that Chapter 9, “Proof Pours In: New Studies Show That You Can Become Dependent on Sweets,” was the first one I wrote for my book Sugar Shock.

So there Serge and I are on the ferry. After practicing my rusty French on him, I asked Serge (in English this time so I wouldn’t miss anything) about his sugar addiction research.

Now, just imagine Serge speaking with his adorable French accent.

He told me, “Connie, I was so surprised. We discovered that sugar may be as addictive as cocaine.”

You had to see Serge’s face to get a sense of this monumental discovery.

His eyebrows lifted. His eyes grew big. His face registered shock. He moved his hands about dramatically.

The next day, at the conference, Serge laid out his findings in more detail to the attendees of this event, called “Food Addiction: The Obesity Epidemic Connection.”

The title of Serge’s presentation told it all. It posed the question, “Is Sugar as Addictive as Cocaine?”

Ultimately, Serge and his research team discovered that intense sweetness “is much more rewarding and probably more addictive than intravenous cocaine.”

Or, to put it another way, the French scientists’ findings “clearly demonstrate that intense sweetness can surpass cocaine reward, even in drug-sensitized and drug-addicted individuals.”

In the booklet presented to Food Addiction conference attendees, Serge concludes: “When society finally discovers that refined sugar is just another white powder, along with pure cocaine, it will change its mind and attitude toward refined food addiction.”

At the same conference, I also had the pleasure of meeting renowned addiction researcher Dr. Bartley Hoebel of Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute, whose work I mentioned in a recent AOL News story about Ellen DeGeneres and Jeff Garlin kicking sugar. What a treat!

As I discussed in my book Sugar Shock, Dr. Hoebel — who has been studying sugar addiction for 10 years — found that sugar can act on the brain in ways similar to drugs of abuse. 

Dr. Hoebel’s rats even went into withdrawal symptoms within a half hour of being administered the opiate blocker naloxone.

Their “teeth started chattering,” Dr. Hoebel told me.

“They waved their heads back and forth. Their forepaws quivered. They acted anxious in a maze test. These are all signs of sugar withdrawal. They weren’t as pronounced as what we see with morphine, but it was withdrawal.”

What happened? Well, Dr. Hoebel thinks that "sugar triggered production of the brain’s natural opiates
or morphinelike compounds."

Wait a minute!

But the rats didn’t have drugs. They just had sugar!

The rats would rather go into sugar shock than have cocaine!

So why am I bringing up these addiction studies?

Because, if you have an overpowering sugar habit, I want you to know that this addictive feeling is NOT all in your head. You actually can get hooked.

But more importantly, I'm here to bring you hope. You CAN cut out your pesky sugar or carb cravings.

Certainly, you can try on your own, but, well, it can be really tough, and frankly, I wouldn't wish this cutting-loose-on-your-own on anyone!

That's why for over 12 years -- ever since I kicked sugar myself -- I've been developing a program to
help you Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction -- and to help you release your habit easily.
 
Alas, back in 1998, I used to be like those sugar-clamoring rats. (Are you, too?) But, thankfully, that's history, and I no longer crave sugary foods. You heard me right. You should know is that I do NOT miss the substance. Honest!

So, my mission these days is to show you that you don’t have to be consumed by these gotta-have-
sugar-NOW feelings. You can achieve Sugar Liberation!

And, if you allow me, it would be my honor to take you to that delicious state of Sugar Freedom.

Just think: When you remove sugar from your diet (or at least cut back on your intake), you will get benefits galore! For instance:

• Your weig*ht could easily peel off
• You could become more cheerful
• You may concentrate better
• You may say bye-bye to severe PMS, infertility or a horrible menopause.
• You could get along better with loved ones.
• You could have a revved-up libido.
• You may have lots of energy -- more so than you've had in years.
• And more.

And those are just a few of the many benefits!

Given that I used to be hooked on sweets myself, I don't want you to be like those sugar-craving rats!
So it would be my honor to help you Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks.

Please note that next Tuesday, I again begin holding my Break Free Program, and I'd love to have you.

If you act by 1:59 pm EST next Tuesday, you can get in at the Pre-Fall Early Bird Rate. You'll be shocked at how little you'll pay for what you get. For instance, in this program, you'll get:

• 6 live, hour-long teleseminars/webinars, during which you learn some 50 ways to combat sugar cravings, identify your Sugar Color Code, discover how to find Serene Sweetness™ and much more.
• 6 half-hour coaching sessions, where you get your questions answered, a fresh perspective on your personal situations, etc.
• 4 to 6 bonus programs with top experts in health and wellness.
• Short, inspiring audio messages from me each of the 42 days (actually, there are more.)
• A private, members-only website with lots of quality content, including three weeks of meal plans, a shopping list, recipes and access to fascinating audio downloads.
• And much more.

You may think that this program will run you around $400 to $700. But I'm offering this Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks program for the ultra-reasonable rate of $147. People hae been asking me why it's so low (only about $3.50 a day for the 42-day program).

Most importantly, by offering this for such a reasonable price, my goal is to help as many people as possible around the world. I have other reasons, too, which you'll learn about later.  Sign up now and learn why else it's priced so low.

It would be my pleasure to serve you and to guide you to Sugar Liberation. "See you" soon?

Warmly,

 

 

 

Connie Bennett, Author, Sugar Shock  and Beyond Sugar Shock (Upcoming/Hay House)

P.S. Sign up now for this Pre-Fall Special of only $147 by Tues., Sept. 15  at 11:59 EST tonight. Just go to www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

Special thanks to Mike Adams and NaturalNews.com for the above cartoon, which you can read about here.

You may republish this Sugar Shock Blog post, but please provide the following credit:

Connie Bennett is author of the bestselling book, Sugar Shock!, which has been praised by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Marilu Henner and many others. She is now writing her next book, Beyond Sugar Shock, for Hay House. Connie is a certified life coach, certified health coach, experienced journalist, host of the Gab with the Gurus Radio Show, which is available on iTunes. Connie is also a former sugar addict, who is now dedicated to helping people around the world to Break Free of their Sugar Addiction and Other Bad Habits (what she calls Babits™). Connie is founder of the acclaimed Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program, which next begins Tues, Sept. 14. Listen to Connie's Free Tele-Party now to discover 10 Reasons You are Hooked on Sugar. Then, act now to take advantage of the Pre-Fall Special at www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

New Yorkers: Meet Me Tomorrow at Willner Chemists

Are you a sugar addict, who lives or works in New York City?

If so, come meet me tomorrow, April 13, from 12 pm to 2:30 pm at Willner Chemists, 100 Park Avenue.

While there, you can get your copy of SUGAR SHOCK!, have me sign it and then ask me your questions about sugar and how to break free of your sugar addiction.

When you get your book, I'll be happy to share some ideas for supplements and herbs that people have used to kick sugar. You can get them while you're at Willner Chemists. Of course, you also can ask the knowledgeable people at Willner for other suggestions, too.

By the way, have you listened to The Willner Window Radio Show, which is held every Sunday, from 2 pm to 4 pm? The Willner Window -- which you can listen live on WOR (710 AM) in New York City or catch on the Internet -- is the only radio program that deals specifically with nutritional supplements, herbal therapy and homeopathic remedies -- what they are, what they do, and how to use them.

This show has become one of the New York area's most popular health programs (based on Arbitron ratings). Between 35,000 to 50,000 people listen to each week's program, which you can call in with your questions, toll-free.

The hosts of The Willner Window are pharmacists Don Goldberg, R.Ph. and Arnie Gitomer, R.Ph, co-authors of The Best Supplements For Your Health.

Co-hosts for The Willner Window Radio Show are Sam Forbes, a certified clinical nutritionist, and manager of the downtown Willner Chemists Store; and Richard N. Podell, M.D., M.P.H., medical director and clinical professor, Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Podell is one of the nation's leading experts on the scientific integration of complementary and alternative therapies with conventional medicine. 

Hope to see you tomorrow at Willner Chemists in New York City.

Are you a sugar addict, who lives or works in New York City?

If so, come meet me tomorrow, April 13, from 12 pm to 2:30 pm at Willner Chemists, 100 Park Avenue.

While there, you can get your copy of SUGAR SHOCK!, have me sign it and then ask me your questions about sugar and how to break free of your sugar addiction.

When you get your book, I'll be happy to share some ideas for supplements and herbs that people have used to kick sugar. You can get them while you're at Willner Chemists. Of course, you also can ask the knowledgeable people at Willner for other suggestions, too.

By the way, have you listened to The Willner Window Radio Show, which is held every Sunday, from 2 pm to 4 pm? The Willner Window -- which you can listen live on WOR (710 AM) in New York City or catch on the Internet -- is the only radio program that deals specifically with nutritional supplements, herbal therapy and homeopathic remedies -- what they are, what they do, and how to use them.

This show has become one of the New York area's most popular health programs (based on Arbitron ratings). Between 35,000 to 50,000 people listen to each week's program, which you can call in with your questions, toll-free.

The hosts of The Willner Window are pharmacists Don Goldberg, R.Ph. and Arnie Gitomer, R.Ph, co-authors of The Best Supplements For Your Health.

Co-hosts for The Willner Window Radio Show are Sam Forbes, a certified clinical nutritionist, and manager of the downtown Willner Chemists Store; and Richard N. Podell, M.D., M.P.H., medical director and clinical professor, Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Podell is one of the nation's leading experts on the scientific integration of complementary and alternative therapies with conventional medicine. 

Hope to see you tomorrow at Willner Chemists in New York City.

Kelly Ripa, Kim Kardashian, Seth Green, Eva Langoria Parker Go for Over-the-Top Cakes

Many of us would-be, health-conscious people strive often (or at times) to cut culprit carbs and shove candies, cookies, cakes and chips out of our lives for our emotional or physical health.

But who can blame Tori Spelling, Kelly Ripa, Kim Kardashian, Eva Langoria Parker, Guy Ritchie, Flavor Flav, Seth Green, Spencer Pratt and Kid Rock for using creative, elaborate cakes to memorialize major occasions?

I don't mean to unnecessarily entice you with these images (to your left), but I'm amused, entertained and intrigued by these over-the-top, sugary concoctions that People Magazine shares with us in a snazzy photo essay.

My sugar-free -- albeit sometimes jealous -- funny bone nudges me to poke fun of this sugar-filled hoopla in this way: Well, let them eat cake!

(For the record, my comment was NOT intended to be malicious -- it was my silly, sleep-deprived remark.)

Hey, sometimes you just have to laugh at -- and accept -- our nation's habit of celebrating events with sugar-filled cakes. Let's face it, this is a trend you just can't buck.

So I invite you to set some limits for yourself at your next beautiful cake-celebrated event. I urge you to have just one teeny, tiny piece -- and to have it after a good meal with healthy foods (quality protein, healthy carbs such as veggies and a small amount of fat like olive oil). That's right, I challenge you to partake of one tiny slice!

Speaking of challenges, it can be a challenge to figure out how to observe important milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bar mitzvahs, christenings and graduations without cute cakes.

So, now I'm presented with a challenge. Given that I don't eat sweets, how the heck should I celebrate my 12 years off sugar on April 15?

I invite your suggestions. Because frankly I'm at a loss! Please send in your ideas!

In case you're new to this Sugar Shock Blog and your'e wondering why I would want to pass up such delectable treats as those shown here, consider this: Would you rather suffer from 44 horrible ailments or skip the sweets and feel great?

That's the choice had to reluctantly make back in 1998, when my doctor ordered me to quit my sugar habit. To learn about my sad-to-sweet story, read it in Chapter One of my book SUGAR SHOCK!

If you're annoyed with me for unnecessarily enticing you, come join me tonight when low-carb blogger Jimmy Moore -- who lost 180 pounds and kept it off, partly from cutting out cakes -- and I tell you "The Top 10 Reasons You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar." Just sign up here. (If you can't make it live, you can listen to an audio replay later, for a limited time.)

Get Help! Free Teleseminar March 31: "Top 10 Reasons You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar" with Major Loser/Winner Jimmy Moore

Are you really frustrated and frazzled, because yet again, you messed up on your diet and turned to donuts, candies or cookies when you intended to "do good"?

Even more embarrassing, did also you then get into an argument with your loved one(s) over no good reason, because you were hyped up on sugar or brain-fogged because of the crap you ate?

And did you hide your junk food or eat your stash in private?

If any of the four scenarios ring true, you're in the company of millions.

Every hour, all across the country, people are "failing" on their diets and shoving sweets or junk food into their mouths and getting negligible nutrients.

It's perfectly understandable that you'd be out of sorts for relying on food for comfort or consolation.

So are you ready to begin again tomorrow? Not the smartest move! You read me right!

Your diet or kick-sugar program should begin way before you actually start it. In other words, you need to set the stage first. If you were going to run a marathon, wouldn't you train for months in advance?

Well, starting a diet with no advance planning is one of The 10 Top Reasons that You Consistently Fail to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar.

Learn more about this reason and the other 9 reasons in a free teleseminar on Wed., March 31 at 8 pm EST.

I'm co-hosting the program with popular low-carb blogger Jimmy Moore, author of 21 Life Lessons From Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: How The Healthy Low-Carb Lifestyle Changed Everything I Thought I Knew

You'll be wowed by Jimmy's story. In January 2004, he finally decided to face up to the fact that it was time for a change. At At 32 and weighing in at 410 pounds, Jimmy launched on a diet, shed 180 pounds, shrunk his waist by 20 inches, and dropped his shirt size from 5XL to XL.

Now, Jimmy is devoted to helping millions, and I'm honored that he's agreed to join this free teleseminar for you.

I invite you to join my free teleseminar/webinar on Wed., March 31 at 8 pm EST (5 pm PST) so you can learn the "Top 10 Reasons You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar."

In this teleseminar on Wed., March 31 at 8 pm EST (5 pm PST), you'll finally discover why you've been repeating failing.

And you'll learn what it takes to finally succeed for once and all.

In your teleseminar/webinar, "Top 10 Reasons You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar," you'll learn some eye-opening things.

• For instance, you'll discover that lack of will power is not why you haven't been able to shed pounds or get off sugar.
• You'll also find out that being single-mindedly focused on getting rid excess weight or NOT eat sugar is not the best way to break free of your sugar habit.
• You'll discover that counting calories is counter-productive. So is obsessively cutting back on fat. 
• Plus, you'll discover amazing reasons that have nothing to do with eating, which can make or break you kick-sugar or weight loss success.
• And you'll learn many more surprising secrets about kicking sugar and/or losing weight.

To join the fre*e teleseminar/webinar, "Top 10 Reasons You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar," on Wed., March 31 at 8 pm EST (5 pm PST), just sign up below, putting in your information below.

You're invited to come 10 minutes early to meet other people, who also want to lose weight or kick sugar.

Remember, when you get to the special website for the March 31 program, submit your questions ahead of time.

Together, we'll share our insights and explain 10 Top Reasons Why You Failed to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar.

Sign up for the March 31 teleseminar now. FYI, if you can't attend live, you can listen to the call, at your convenience, for a limited time.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

Well, starting a diet with no advance planning is one of The 10 Top Reasons that You Consistently Fail to Lose Weight or Kick Sugar.

Learn more about this reason and the other 9 reasons in a free teleseminar on Wed., March 31 at 8 pm EST.

I'm co-hosting the program with popular low-carb blogger Jimmy Moore, author of 21 Life Lessons From Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: How The Healthy Low-Carb Lifestyle Changed Everything I Thought I Knew

You'll be wowed by Jimmy's story. In January 2004, he finally decided to face up to the fact that it was time for a change. At At 32 and weighing in at 410 pounds, Jimmy launched on a diet, shed 180 pounds, shrunk his waist by 20 inches, and dropped his shirt size from 5XL to XL.

Now, Jimmy is devoted to helping millions, and I'm honored that he's agreed to join this free teleseminar for you.

Ellen DeGeneres Kicks Sugar! Join Her!

Ellen DeGeneres deserves a hearty congratulations goes to you for making it to Day 3 of kicking sugar. Hurray for you!

Please read my first post here about Ellen's boot-the-sugar adventure. You can even watch her humorous announcement there, too.

Anyhow, please join me in thanking Ellen for drawing the attention of millions to the need to cut sugar out of their lives. Congratulations, Ellen! It's great, as you say here that you want "pure energy."

Hang in there, Ellen. Yes, you can briefly go through some unpleasant side effects such as exhaustion, jittery and cranky, but the symptoms will soon disappear.

I predict that soon, you'll get benefits galore. Expect to get more energy, find it easier to concentrate, painlessly shed a few pounds and maybe even be funnier -- though I can't fathom how that's possible, because you're already so hilarious!

And thank you, Ellen, for pointing out that we need to bring sweetness into our lives. So true! Interestingly, I like to point out -- as I do in talks and as I did in my book SUGAR SHOCK! -- that life is much sweeter without all sugar and refined sweets.

Friends and readers of this Sugar Shock Blog, join Ellen in her kick-sugar quest!

Learn how to Be a Part of the Show here.

For those of you who seek to kick sugar, I invite you to get lots of tips and FREE STUFF at my website to help you release your habit.

You can get more ideas in my most recent article, My ABC's to Break Free of Sugar Addiction, Sleep Skimping And Other Bad Habits, which appeared today on my Huffington Post Blog.

Now I invite you, Ellen, and Sugar Shock Blog readers to get entertained by my new YouTube video, which I just completed on Monday. Please watch until the surprise ending, which is funny, I hope.

Make sure to watch Ellen's funny announcement here. Yes, kicking sugar can be funny!

Help for Sugar Addicts: Tips to Cut Back on Sugar

Would you like to lose weight, get more energy and possibly boost your libido?

Just kick sugar and refined carbs!

Admittedly, for many, that's easier said than done, especially if you feel like you have a sugar addiction or carb addiction.

Of course, as my clients often admit and as I discovered back in 1998, quitting sugar can be quite challenging.

After all, for many of us, we learned to like the sweet stuff in our wombs! (Yes, one fan told me that when her mom was pregnant, she guzzled soda. Seriously, many of us are born hooked on sugar!)

So allow me to help you begin to break free. To get you going, here are three stories full of tips and tactics. 

First, I invite you to read my Huffington Post Holiday Health story, 10 Tips to Conquer Your Cravings for Candies, Cookies Or Cakes.

Next, I encourage you to check out my 10 Ways to Kick Sugar article on eDiets.com.

And finally, I recommend that you read nutritionist Jonny Bowden's fabulous piece, Top 10 Ways to Cut Back on Sugar.

Hope our articles help you. Let us know here. And if you have other tips, please share them with us, too.

For more help, I invite you to join the Smart Habits Fans on Facebook and to check out my book SUGAR SHOCK!

Sugar Addiction Begone! Kick Sugar With Me This Month

If you're like many Americans, you want to shed your excess weight so you can fit into your favorite slim outfit, have the trim, toned, sexy body you crave and be healthy.

Just imagine how you'd feel if you had more energy, more cheerful moods and more satisfying relationships.

Envision what your life would look like if you were more productive, thinking more clearly and experiencing a boost in your libido.

All of the above can happen if you eliminate sugar and refined carbs.

But losing weight, getting more energy, concentrating better, becoming happier and having a bigger sex drive are just a few of many benefits you can gain from eliminating sugar, as I pointed out in my book SUGAR SHOCK!

In fact, when I quit sweets and refined carbs on doctor's orders in 1998, a whopping 44 ailments disappeared and I felt reborn!

But, let's face it, cutting out sugar or those "culprit carbs" can be challenging for most people.

After all, you didn't develop a sugar habit overnight. So let me educate, inspire and guide you to become joyously sugar free.

Join me Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 6 pm for my fun, interactive, life-changing free introductory class, "SUGAR SHOCK! Breaking Free of Your Sugar Habit" at the New York Open Center, the largest urban holistic center in the United States.

On that one night, you'll get some tips and tactics to begin to break free of your sugar habits.

But, as you can imagine, since you've probably had a lifetime of being overly attached to sugar, one hour with me is isn't enough to change your destructive patterns for good.

That's why I'm also teaching a 4-week course at the New York Open Center, which begins next week, from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2.

In this four-week course, I'm sharing proprietary techniques that I developed and which worked for me when I removed sugar from my diet in 1998.

In addition, you're getting dozens of tips that have helped my clients. Plus, you'll receive many ideas from a variety of health experts, who kindly shared them with me.

For instance, in my 4-week course at the New York Open Center, you will:

• Discover the 10 reasons people fail when making New Year's resolutions or when breaking a sugar addiction or other bad habits (what I call babits™).
• Get 7 Smart Starter Strategies so you can conquer your sugar habit for good.
• The most dangerous word in the English language that is disempowering when seeking to kick sugar.
• Find out 5 ways to save money on food and beverages in this economy but still make healthy choices.
• Find out why this course has the wrong title! (But we had to name it "SUGAR SHOCK! Breaking Free of Your Sugar Habit" so you'd know what you're getting.)
• Receive 50 simple, effective tips and tactics to squash your sugar cravings.
• Get a helpful, comprehensive sugar-free shopping list and sample meal plans.
• Discover what 3 most empowering questions to ask yourself whenever sugary foods "call out" to you to stop your destructive cycle.
• Find out how you can use "failing" or being human (i.e., imperfect) to your advantage.
• Have fun discovering tasty, sugar-free desserts from 2 guest bakers.
• Taste delicious sugar-free treats from 2 local chefs.
  
• Find out which 3 foods can drive away your "sweet tooth."
• Get educated about 20 cutting-edge research studies, which reveal the dangers of sugars and refined carbs.
• Receive a list of more than 100 ways your sugar habit is killing you.
  
• Learn how you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, cancer, infertility, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. 
• Be trained as a "Savvy Sugar Sleuth" so you easily unmask sugar's many disguises and read food labels in the grocery store.
• Get invited to one complimentary teleseminar. (This is one of many bonuses you get by signing up for my 4-week course.)
• Learn to identify 10 surprising foods that contain hidden sugars.
• Get inspired by successful "Sugar Kickers," whose sour-to-sweet tales you can listen to at any time via complimentary audio downloads.
  
• Determine how your sugar habit is harming your health, weight, moods, relationships, work, spirituality and ability to get things done.
• Learn how to talk to your loved ones about your sugar habit.
  
• Uncover your 5 "W's" that drive you to sweets and refined carbs.
• Acquire simple, juicy, valuable, always-accessible tips and tools to help stomp out your sugar habit for good and to prevent binging, relapsing and self-loathing
• Get 10 ways to "Say No With Sass!" when offered desserts.
• Develop your special, do-able, personalized plan.
• Learn easy techniques to topple stress so you won't feel a need to turn to sweets.
  
• Discover how sugar wreaks havoc on your body.
  
• Gain insights so you can decide your best course of action -- to quit cold turkey, phase our sweets or still take tastes from time to time
• Receive at least 2 helpful handouts and undertake at least 2 fun, revealing, life-changing adventur-cises™ (adventurous exercises) every week.
• Do valuable "Sugary Soul Searching."
• Learn to surf when cravings strike. (You heard me right!)
• Determine how to embrace your triggers and saboteurs rather than avoid them.
• Invite "The 4 P's" into your life.
• Meet your Kind, Know-It All.
• Get the truth about sugar substitutes and learn which sweeteners are safe to use.
  
• Be coached to help you succeed.
• Have a chance to listen to interviews with a who's who of world-renowned experts in the field of nutrition, diet, fitness, motivation and spirituality. 
• Receive supportive emails and audio messages to "hold your hand" and guide you through the program.
• Find out ways to to nurture and nourish yourself without candies, cakes and chips and how to live a sweeter life without needing to turn to sweets. 
• Get your questions answered.
  

Register now for my complimentary introduction on Jan. 5 and 4-week course, from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2 at the New York Open Center.

Please note: If you're in another part of the re in another part of the country or world and cannot make my talk at the New York Open Center, please join us virtually or telephonically in other upcoming programs so you can still get helpful tips, tactics and tempting tidbits.

• On Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 2 pm on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, learn how to be happy with author Gretchen Ruben. You can listen live or later. 
• On Thursday, Jan. 7 at 3 pm EST, 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 during which you'll get tips to kick sugar and information about this amazing school (where I studied) and how it helped me.
• And next Monday, Jan. 11 at 8 pm EST, you can join us from anywhere around the world for a complimentary teleseminar/webinar to learn how to kick sugar. Sign up for my free Motivating Morsels ezine to get call-in details.
• You're also invited to mark your calendars. On Feb. 24, join a group of us presenting the Great American Sugar-Out Challenge, where top experts will tell you about sugar's dangers and give you tips to break free. Check back here for details or sign up for my free Motivating Morsels ezine to get call-in details. Details coming.

Register now for four-week course, staring Jan. 12 at the New York Open Center.

If you sign up for the course because of learning about it on this Sugar Shock Blog, you will receive a free gift from me.

Hope to see you there.

New Year's Resolutions: 10 Simple Steps to Stick to Them

Now that it's a new year, most people wonder how to stick to their new year's resolutions.

Even if you've already broken them, that's no reason to throw in the towel. You can still pick yourself up and create smart habits to better your life.

Many of you are seeking, for instance, to shed excess weight and release such health-harming habits as over-consuming sugar, coffee or diet soda. Many of you want to quit procrastinating, smoking, being habitually late, obsessively checking emails or biting your nails.

Before you begin to make positive changes, it's helpful to focus on the Benefits of Breaking Your Bad Habits or what I call “Babits™.

Let's take the case of quitting sugar. As I learned back in 1998 when I cut out out sweeteners and refined carbs on doctor’s orders, ALL 44 of my baffling ailments, from crushing fatigue to brain fog, completely disappeared, as I recounted in my book SUGAR SHOCK!,

For instance, licking sweets (pun intended) and other health-robbing substances and unproductive habits from caffeine overloading to diet soda guzzling 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, when you remove sugar and other negative patterns, you leave room for positive activities to take their place and you can begin to get a Life That Rocks!™. Here are 10 smart steps, which can help you break free of your babits™ (bad habits) so you can to replace them with smart 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.

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.

Vision Boards to Success & More With Joyce Schwarz

Wouldn't it be great to have your dreams come true in 2010?

Learn how to use vision boards, a technique that many of you have already heard about in The Secret.

Join me in an exciting end-of-year Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 2 pm EST, with award-winning strategist and Hollywood celebrity coach Joyce Schwarz, author of the book, The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life.

Learn more about this show at my Gab With the Gurus Blog and about the exciting 22-hour virtual book party. You can listen to the show there, too, live at 2 pm ET, or later, at your convenience.

Sugar Addicts No More! Happy People Share Success Stories

At this time of year, with all the sweet temptations around you, from candy canes to gingerbread cookies to eggnog, you feel a desire to just throw in the towel and not worry about how you eat.

It's certainly understandable. But what you put in your mouth can affect your moods, your energy levels, your immune system and your ability to get along with others. That's why you want to be at your best this holiday season. 

That's why I'd like to share a gift with you. You'll enjoy this present, I predict.

Listen now to happy people talking about their triumphs over their sugar habit.

You'll be shocked, inspired and awestruck (in my opinion) after hearing tales of how their sugar habit was ruining their lives and how life changed for them after kicking sweets and processed carbs and adopting a low-carb or quality-carbs meal plan.

You can even hear my story, too. (I embarrass myself for your benefit! LOL!)

Listen now to how Sugar Addicts became Successful Sugar Kickers.

Let me know what you think of their sour-to-sweet stories.

Stay tuned for an announcement about my five-week Break Free With Connie teleseminar/webinar program, beginning Wed., Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. (Save the dates now -- Wed., Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 3 at 8 pm EST.)

Please note that this program is accessible from anywhere around the world, and if you can't catch the program live (due to your work or family schedule or different (out-of-the-U.S.) time zone, you can listen later for 48 hours afterward. Details are coming later.

SUGAR SHOCK! Defined

Since gingerbread cookies, eggnog, candy canes and chocolate geld (coins) abound at this time of year and you'll undoubtedly often be offered those and other tempting sweets this month, I invite you to start a process of self-discovery.

That's right, in my opinion, December is not the month to kick your sugar habit (unless you insist!)

Instead, I encourage you to learn what shock is and then do what I call "sugary soul searching" so you can learn if this applies to you.

Ask yourself such questions as:

When do sugary "treats" call out to you? Why do you cave into your candy cravings? How do you feel after eating sweets?

Then, just pay attention to how you behave all month. (Next month, we'll delve into the value of doing sugary soul searching and how it can help you to break free of your harmful habit.)

Now, let's revisit the definition of SUGAR SHOCK! -- which I gave here on this blog, in October 2006.

The idea to do this hit me, because my new Facebook friend Terri asked me, "What do you mean by Sugar Shock Connie?? I love how it sounds!!"

So here's my definition of sugar shock, which is also included in my book of the same name. (You can get a sneak peek of my book SUGAR SHOCK! here.)

Please bear in mind that sugar shock is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including some one-quarter to one-half of the U.S. population.

SUGAR SHOCK!™ defined - A mood-damaging, personality-bending, health-destroying, confusion-creating constellation of symptoms affecting millions of peoople worldwide, who often turn to processed sweets and much-like-sugar carbs, which send their blood sugar levels wildly soaring and plummeting.

The term SUGAR SHOCK! is intended to encompass the often-misdiagnosed and maligned condition of reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), as well as other blood sugar disorders, from insulin resistance to diabetes.

Considerable research reveals that repeatedly overconsuming sweeteners, dessert foods, and culprit, quickie carbs (such as white rice, French bread, chips, etc.) wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, overstimulates insulin release, triggers inflammation, and could contribute to more than 150 health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, severe PMS, failing memory, depression, mental confusion or "brain fog," mood swings, Candida, sexual dysfunction, infertility, wrinkles, acne, and early aging.

Victims of SUGAR SHOCK! also may experience such baffling symptoms as excessive fatigue,  headaches, dizziness, cold sweats, anxiety, irritability, tremors, crying spells, drowsiness or the opposite (sleeplessness), forgetfulness, heart palpitations, nightmares, blurred vision, muscle pains, temper outbursts, suicidal thoughts, and more.

Ultimately, this insidious SUGAR SHOCK! roller-coaster effect brought on by eating too many inferior carbs hampers sufferers' ability to function at full throttle--or even half throttle.

Does this sound like something you or a loved one is going through? Would you like to learn more about sugar shock?

Grab a sneak peek now of my book SUGAR SHOCK! now.

Or just get your copy of SUGAR SHOCK! now to read during or after the holidays. This book is ideal to read in January so you can break free of your habit to lose weight, get energy, focus better, become happier and, of course, healthier.

Abundance: Quick Tip to Have it From Cheryl Richardson

Are you weighed down by worries about your finances? Are you wondering how you'll be able to buy   memorable holiday gifts for your loved ones? Do you want -- or even yearn -- for something to help you to turn your money situation around?

Well, life coach Cheryl Richardson, the bestselling author of  The Art of Extreme Self-Care and Take Time for Your Lifehas a wonderful pointer for you to bring abundance into your life.

The caring, charismatic Cheryl -- who I was thrilled to meet at the fabulous Hay House Movers & Shakers conference last weekend -- offered a great, simple tip on Twitter yesterday. (You can follow her there @coachoncall.)

This pointer is so valuable that I felt compelled to share it here, giving it a post on this Sugar Shock Blog. Cheryl tweeted:

"$$ woes? Repeat all day: Abundance flows into my life in surprising & miraculous ways every day."

Thank you, Cheryl, for this inspirational tweet! I already have it posted to my computer, along with some Louise Hay affirmations.

How do you feel after repeating Cheryl's affirmation 10 times or more? Reassured, I'm willing to bet!

To connect with Cheryl's vibrant community, go here. While you're there, check out her really inspiring Touch of Grace cards. And listen to Cheryl every Monday on her "Coach on Call" radio show for Hay House.

Conquer Your Sugar Addiction With Me, Starting Jan. 5, at the New York Open Center

Since the new year is coming soon, if you live near New York City, I invite you to plan now to break free of your sugar habit so that you may be able to:

• Lose weight
• Finally make peace with sugar and refined carbs
• Feel free
• Get more energy on a consistent basis
• Become more productive 
• Walk your talk by consuming only healthy foods and drinks
• Tap into your spirtuality
• Be unfazed when desserts and sweet snacks abound
• Feel exhilarated and excited about your many projects
• Relish moving your body in a way you've never done
• Enjoy more enriching, satisfying relationships
• Boost your libido
• Learn to meditate away your sugar desires
• And much more

Reserve your space now for Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 6 pm when you can get inspired and educated during my free introductory class at the New York Open Center.

Now, sign up for the four-week course at the New York Open Center from Jan. 12 to Feb. 2.

Let me know if you've signed up for this program, because I have special gifts for people who've enrolled to help you get through the holiday season.

Health Tip of the Week: Take Timed Breaths to Stop Cravings

This week, we will begin a new feature, "Health Tip of the Week."

Specifically, today's pointer is to help those of you who tend to battle but often cave into overpowering cravings -- for sugar, coffee, cigarettes or other unhealthy behavior. 

This tip will help you if you:

• Are a sugar addict
• Are overweight or obese
• Have type 2 diabetes
• Have an annoying habit of consuming refined carbohydrates
• Are going through sugar detox
• Need or desire to stay away from high fructose corn syrup-filled candies and pastries
• Want to get more healthy (just about everyone!)

So let's pretend you're in the throes of a yen for chocolate-covered peanuts, donuts or a sugary coffee from one of those specialty stores.

Or perhaps you're near a bakery, vending machines or newspaper stand that sells candy bars. 

Here's how to quickly stop that craving so you don't go into unpleasant sugar shock:

• Take a look at your watch or your cell phone to get the time. (If you have neither, ask someone else.)
• Next, whatever time it is, then take that number of breaths -- but do so slowly, deliberately and confidently. 
• Example: So, it's now 9 am. That means you'd slowly take 9 breaths in and 9 breaths out. 
• At the same time, visualize your breath just wiping out your craving. Expect that it's happening! Now watch the cravings go whoosh!
• After breathing, if you're still tempted, simply repeat the whole procedure another 9 times.(In other words, if it were 5 pm, you'd take 5 breaths, and if you're having a hard time, you'd repeat this another 5 times.)

Simple isn't it? Now make sure that while you're breathing, you're also visualizing the cravings being wiped out.

This tip is called the Timed-Breath, Stop-Cravings, Wipe-Out Technique.

Did you like this stop sugar shock pointer? Got any ideas of your own that you'd like to share? Let us know so we can pass it on.

Get SUGAR SHOCK! now to learn why it's important to cut back on your consumption of sugars and refined carbs.

Connecting: How to Win Friends, Clients & More -- Learn on Nov. 10

Join us Tuesday, November 10 at 2 pm EST when marketing consultant Maribeth Kuzmeski, appears as my guest on the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show.

Maribeth, author of The Connectors: How the World's Most Successful Businesspeople Build Relationships and Win Clients for Life, will tell you about the power of connecting with others to achieve dramatic results.

Learn more or listen on the Gab With the Gurus Blog.

Remember, as always, you can listen live or later to my radio shows.