Think Big With Gregorian

As I’m now in the final phase of writing my book,Beyond Sugar Shock (for Hay House), I’m often being inspired, encouraged and motivated by the German band, Gregorian
As I listen to this group’s Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs, words, ideas and thoughts are coming at me — thank you, Universal Intelligence — so I can help people around the world break free of their sugar addiction and let loose of extra weight.
No matter what your religion, I believe these tunes can bring you to a higher, more positive place.
I urge you to join me in becoming a fan of this uplifting band, Gregorian.
Now listen to a couple of my favorite tunes, thanks to YouTube.
My book, Beyond Sugar Shock, awaits!

Zumba Success Stories: Are You One?

Do you absolutely adore Zumba Fitness?
In fact, has Zumba changed your life?
In other words, are you a Zumba success story?
Have you lost weight, kicked sugar, or achieved other goals, in large part, because of your love of Zumba Fitness?
Please let me know ASAP so I can share your story with others and inspire them, too.
By the way, Zumba fans, did you listen to my short (15-minute) radio interview on my Gab with the Gurus Show with Zumba founder Alberto (“Beto”) Perez?
You can listen at any time.
If you’re a Zumba success story, just write back here. Please provide your full name, location (partial is OK), age (if you’re comfortable), and tell me how Zumba has helped you. Also, please let me know how I may contact you. Please note that when you post this remark, it will appear on my blog so be comfortable with everything you say.
If you’re having challenges posting your comment to this blog, feel free to contact me through my website, but ideally, you’ll try here first, so your remark will get posted to this Zumba entry.
By the way, if you’re not a fan of Zumba yet, join us! Just find a class here.

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 — […]

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.
Sugar_humans_600 – cartoon
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.
Serge ahmed 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.”
Hoebel 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, wwhich 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. Act now to take advantage of the Pre-Fall Special at www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com

Should You Kick or Curtail Sugar? Why Bother?

Stop Sugar Shock! Large Are you wondering if you should cut out or reduce your sugar or carb consumption?
Many people get scared at the thought of making this change, and they focus on how they’ll miss their favorite sweet treats instead of on the many benefits they’ll gain.
Rather than try to convince you myself about the many wonders of kicking sugar, I’m going to let several Successful Sugar Kickers do it themselves.
First, I invite you to read tales here of Successful Sugar Kickers to learn how their lives have dramatically improved just by making that one diet change.
Then, given the exciting technology now available, you also can now listen right now to inspiring tales from more Successful Sugar Kickers.
I invite you to check out this last preview call for my Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown program.
Just click on the yellow buttons below to listen.Check out Part 1 now.
Stephanie continues to share here.
And now here’s Part 3. I invite you to listen below now.
Yes, Virginia, Jennifer, John, and Stephanie (or whatever your name is), when you kick (or cut back on) sugar and refined carbs, youi’ll marvel as benefits pile up. I daresay that you’ll experience all, if not some of these benefits — plus a lot more! You’ll:
* Boost your energy.
* Get along better with loved ones and not-so-loved ones.
* Banish your “brain fog.”
* Toss out your temper tantrums.
* Focus better.
* Watchthe pounds peel off easily.
* Look and feel better.
* And maybe even revv up your sex life.
Listen now to these Sugar Kickers.
Have you signed up for my Free End-of-Summer Tele-Party. Just sign up now here.

Dolly Parton’s Funny Take on Dieting (an Audio Post)

Today’s post is mostly a short vlog (voice blog) post.
You’ll hear a very humorous quote from Dolly Parton about dieting.
Thanks so much to my friend Jena LaFlamme, a health and wellness expert, for telling me about this fun quote.
By the way, Jena — who shares my passion for living a healthy, sweet life — offers a cool Pleasure Weight Loss Summer Camp with her colleague Marc David.

Authors, Sugar Addicts & Others with Bad Habits: ICF Certification Celebration Special for First 15 People

This week, I received my certificate from the International Coach Federation, which presented me the designation of Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
To celebrate the fact that I’m now an ACC, I am offering to the first 15 people a chance to work with me for a special Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration rate.
This is my second coaching certification. I’m also certified as a Certified Professional Coach from iPEC (the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), CPC Logo small the acclaimed, rigorous program where I studied to become a life coach.
In addition, I’m a certified health coach, thanks to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), where I also studied.
Now that I’m triple certified and have years of wonderful “pre-succeeding experience” (heck, call it “failing”) to quit sugar, kick other bad habits or write my first book, I’m more than ready to help more people.
It would be my honor and pleasure to help you accomplish your goals and dreams. If you’re among the first 15 people who act, you can receive my special Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration rate. I specialize in three areas. Specifically, I can help you to begin:
* To break free of your sugar addiction.
* To realize your dream of writing a book.
* To quit another bad habit or what I call a babit™.
Space is limited for this special offer: You will receive 3 private phone sessions with me for only $300. (That’s a savings of $50.)
In addition, you will receive a gift:
* If you’re a sugar addict, you’ll get complimentary access to a replay of my 7-week Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction program.
* If you’re a writer, you’ll receive a complimentary audio download of the “How to Write How-To Articles” program with Publicity Hound Joan Stewart.
* If you’re seeking to lick another horrible habit, you’ll get an audio replay from my “Thrive, Don’t Just Survive” program.
To sign up now, just click below and you’ll receive my Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration Sale rate.
Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration Pre-Summer Special (3 Sessions)
By the way, for those of you who would like to become a health coach and life coach, I highly recommend both the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). If you’d like to study at either institution, just tell them that Connie Bennett sent you. Please note that I do get a referral compensation from both places. However, I would praise iPEC and IIN even if they weren’t nice enough to compensate me.
Both iPEC and IIN and utterly amazing places. So if you want to be a certified life coach or certified health coach, I recommend that you act immediately by calling either iPEC and/or IIN.
To begin coaching with me to accomplish your dreams and goals, sign up now. Just click below and you’ll receive my Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration Sale rate.
Coaching with Connie ICF Certification Celebration Pre-Summer Special (3 Sessions)

1 Powerful Tip to Break Free of Sugar: Ditch Your Deadly Deprivation Mindset

What’s one of the first thoughts that comes into people’s minds when they decide that they should kick sugar to lose weight, get more energy or boost their libido?
Many people get bummed because they focus on how they’ll be deprived.
They start thinking with longing about their favorite sweets.
Wait a minute!
Feeling bummed that you’ll never get to eat your favorite sweets again is NOT the way to health, happiness, weight loss, energy and a strong se*x dri*ve.
Think about it: Cookies, cakes and candies are NOT worth:
* Gaining a lot of weight
* Feeling moody
* Being wiped out
* Not wanting to get intimate with your honey
* Finding it tough to focus
* Getting diabetes, heart disease or cancer
* Looking older
* Dying before your time
So, Ditch those Deadly Deprivation Feelings!
Every time you begin to think “I don’t want to be deprived,” IMMEDIATELY instead think “I will feel so happy and fulfilled when I reduce sugar.”
Again, your goal is to focus on what you’ll GAIN – and we’re not talking about weight.

Why Bother to Kick Sugar? Listen to Successful Sugar Kickers Now

Will I get along better with my loved ones?
Back in 1998, I remember well being very hesitant to quit, too. I didn’t want to!
Now, my coaching clients and members of my Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program always quiz me to find out if the benefits are big enough to warrant stopping eating all those tasty sweet foods.
Do don’t take my word for it. Just listen to what Successful Sugar Kickers said about kicking sugar.
Please note that these people’s comments were unrehearsed.
I did not prod them into making certain answers.
But you’ll be surprised, I predict, at how excited and wildly enthusiastic they were to now live a sugar-free lifestyle.
You’ll be shocked, I imagine, at how they felt that they had been reborn and how life post-sugar became much happier and healthier for them.
Listen now as my gift to several people tell their stories. (You get to hear my tale, too.)
Listen now by clicking this link.
And, if you, too, become a success story, make sure to contact me, because I want to tell your story, too, to inspire others.
Get inspired and motivated now. Just listen here.
If you’d like help to release your sugar habit, I invite you to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks. You’re welcome to join my program now. Programs are held live several times throughout the year, but you can join at any time and listen to the audio replays.