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Articles by Connie Bennett on SheKnows.com:

Slipped? Destroyed Your Diet? 7 Tips to Get Back on Track

The scoop on how sweets could sour your sweetie: make Valentine's Day sweeter by giving gifts from the heart

The power of delaying to squash sugar cravings

8 tips to lose weight easily: Just cut out soda and sugary drinks

This Halloween, instead of candy hand out fun, glow-in-the-dark objects, stickers, & other party favors

68 non-edible goodies to give instead of sugar-filled candies

Ten ways to stomp out your pesky sugar habit

Sugar addicts: 4 simple tips to resist tempting cookies, candies & chocolate

7 simple steps to forgive others & yourself

Slipped? Destroyed Your Diet? 7 Tips to Get Back on Track

Connie Bennett

Did you fall off the diet wagon? Did you eat foods you promised to forego? Are you upset with yourself for "stupidly" eating sugary or fast-acting carbs?

Time and time again, my clients and readers of my book Sugar Shock! complain to me about how they stumbled and fell down again. They desperately want to know how to get out of their muck and kick sugar for good.

Here are 7 tips to pick yourself up and get back on track and finally succeed.

1. Be gentle with yourself. If you slip and forego your good intentions, this is not the time to berate and belittle yourself. Instead use this "mistake" to lavish yourself with compassion, understanding and sympathy. Yes, you messed up, but give yourself a break!

2. Accept that you're imperfect. People with food issues often tend to expect themselves to get everything exactly right--or perfect. That sets you up for a huge letdown. Now that you've slipped, use this as a chance to claim your humanity, which means you'll make mistakes from time to time. Owning up to your limitations can be quite freeing.

3. Consider this a golden opportunity to start again. Instead of viewing your falling off the wagon as the most horrible dieting disaster that never should have happened, regard your slip as a chance to begin anew. You see, whenever you make a so-called "mistake" such as this, this could be exactly what you need! Think about it: Aren't you always more psyched when you begin a project?

4. View your slip as a learning experience. Falling off the no-sugar wagon could be just the instructive incident that you need to to break out of your habit. So be thankful (yes, thankful!) that you ate those junk foods. Now study yourself dispassionately like a lab rat to see just how much damage you caused yourself by slipping. Doing so will enable you to develop deeperresolve to boldly move forward with conviction and finally succeed.

5. Witness the horrors of your binge. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and self-hatred, jot some notes about how bad you feel in the wake of your sugar or carb spree. Keep a four-day journal in which you chronicle all the emotional, physical and even spiritual results of your binge. Write about your anger, brain fog, headaches, fatigue, depression, irritability, nervousness, anger outbursts at your kids, unexpected restlessness and nervousness, etc. If you monitor your reactions carefully like this, you'll easily remember these repercussions the next time you're tempted to veer off the track, and that will make you less inclined to slip and more likely to be able to win the sugar fight.

6. Reaffirm your commitment to being sugar-free. Almost immediately after your binge or minor slip, look inwards and jot down why you want to quit sugar or refined carbs. What benefits will you get from stopping? Keep reviewing this list again and again. Chances are good that your list will finally give you the impetus to break your habit for good.

7. See yourself free. The minute you stray from your intended diet, immediately create some positive phrases or mantras, which convey that you've already succeeded. You could say, "I only eat healthy foods. I am free." Better yet, create your own affirmation. Then, say them over and over again. See yourself back on track, too. Incidentally, seeing and affirming your sugar success -- which is something I've been doing for nearly 10 years -- also is encouraged as a powerful Law of Attraction tool that's discussed in the bestselling film and book, The Secret.)

I do hope that these 7 simple steps will help you to get back on track and begin to better again. Remember, you're doing this because you want to live a long, healthy, symptom-free life full of joy, freedom and self-confidence.

As you struggle to get back on your feet, remind yourself that life is much sweeter without all those refined sweets.

This Halloween, instead of candy hand out fun, glow-in-the-dark objects, stickers, & other party favors

By Connie Bennett
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/7582.htm

Adults, don't fall into the candy-giving trap this Halloween when those adorable, costume-clad kids ring your doorbell. Handing out those traditional blood-sugar bouncing "treats" is a "tricky" proposition. All that candy could send your neighbor's kids into Sugar Shock!--which means you could contribute to their getting all kinds of health and emotional problems.

You certainly don't want to do anything that could help make these innocent children become angry, moody, depressed, tired, wired, sleepless, unfocused, or fat from those sugary foods, right?

This Halloween, choose fun alternatives instead. There's no limit to the options. You could give out all kinds of fun, age-appropriate doodads and gizmos, such as:

Glow-in-the-dark insects, spooky fingers and other objects
Halloween-themed stickers, pencils, temporary tattoos, or other toys
Holiday chalk, crayons, colored pencils, pens or animal-shaped erasers
Rubber worms, spiders, or other creepy figures
Non-Halloween-themed party favors such as hair clips, hair bands, scrunchies, plastic bracelets and rings (for girls).
Party favors such as engine whistles, key chains, pens, and stickers. (For boys or girls).

Rest assured, too: Kids will like your creative Halloween-giving ideas. In fact, researchers found that these non-candy favors can be a big hit.

One study from Yale University revealed that half of the 284 trick-or-treaters aged 3 to 14 didn't want lollipops, fruit-flavored chews, or hard candies. Yeah, instead they preferred such toys as glow-in-the-dark insects, stretch pumpkin men, or Halloween-themed stickers and pencils.

If you still insist on giving out food, try giving trick-or-treaters small, pre-packaged:

Almonds or walnuts (Stay away from peanuts since some children are allergic to them.)
Shelled sunflower seeds or pistachios
Raisins (Although these are high in natural sugar, they're far preferable to candy.)
Bottled water (Yeah, kids will be thirsty from all that trick-or-treating door to door!)

So this Halloween, forego those nutrient-lacking candies. Decide to do something nice for your neighborhood's kids and instead give out something fun or at least more healthy.

About this author: Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist (Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, cbs.com, etc.) and former, dedicated “sugar addict,” who reluctantly quit sugar and refined carbs on doctor’s orders in 1998. She now laughingly pokes fun of herself as a “Scary Sugar Shrew No More!” — see her fun cartoons at www.sugarshock.com/cartoons.shtml. These days, Connie is regarded as a sought-after “Savvy Sugar Sleuth,” who playfully and seriously educates people about the dangers of sugar and culprit carbs, which could include mood swings, depression, anger, “brain fog,” and, of course, weight gain, and she helps “sugar sufferers” to break free from their dangerous habit. Connie is author of the engaging, engrossing book Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books, Dec. 26, 2006); founder of an international KickSugar support group; founder of the award-winning Sugar Shock! Blog (www.SugarShockBlog.com); a featured contributor to eDiets.com; a certified holistic health counselor; and a popular speaker.

8 tips to lose weight easily: Just cut out soda and sugary drinks

by Connie Bennett
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/7436.htm

Soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks are on my mind lately. Not because I drink them myself, but because just cutting out the non-nutritive, sugar-filled, potentially harmful beverages is a highly effective way -- if not the most easy way -- to lose weight and improve your health.

That's right. Just making that one simple diet change---removing chemically created soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks such as sports drinks and juice drinks -- could enable you to peel off the pounds – possibly to the tune of 15 pounds in one year.
In fact, a recent scientific review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition pointed out that a mere 12 ounces of sugar-laced soda a day could pile on 15 pounds in a year.

Just do the math. The most popular soft drink sold nowadays is a 20-ounce bottle or can, which comes to 250 unnecessary calories and about 16.87 teaspoons of sugar. (Usually, you'll be getting high fructose corn syrup, which some researchers now finger as a leading cause of obesity and other health woes.)

Bear in mind that I'm not even talking about those popular 42-ounce soft drinks promoted at some fast food restaurants and many convenience stores. If you order one of these gargantuan drinks, you'll get about 410 calories and around 35.28 tsp. of sugar.

It's also well known that if you drink soft drinks, you just don't get full or satisfied the way you would from regular food so you may end up overeating and packing in more extra calories. (Incidentally, diet drinks aren't any better. Some studies even suggest that the sweet taste in an artificially sweetened soft drink could trigger sugar cravings and lead to weight gain, too.)

If you're a soda drinker, I urge you to tackle your habit right now, whether it's to lose weight or improve your health. Here are 7 tips to curtail your soda guzzling when you hanker for this empty-calorie beverage:

Have a glass of sparkling water, with lemon, lime, or even a piece of orange tossed in for flavor.
Drink a glass of good old water instead. It'll quench your thirst like a soft drink never can.
Steep a couple of bags of tasty herbal tea (from Yogi Tea, Celestial Seasonings or Good Earth) in hot water for a couple of minutes. Then add a bunch of ice cubes. This is much more flavorful and satisfying than a soda.
Make your own lemonade or orangeade. Just squeeze a lemon or two into a glass of water. You don't even need to add a sweetener. Or take an orange and hand squeeze half of it into water. (Eat the other half.)
If you're really adventurous and really want to get out from under your soda habit, drink a glass of green vegetable juice instead. (As you'll notice, I'm not recommending fruit juice, but that can be quite high in sugar, too.)
Be daring and concoct your own blended goat's milk yogurt beverage with cinnamon or nutmeg. Then, if you like, add a few strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. (Don't add too many berries, because even though you're getting natural sugar from fruit, you don't want to get too much.)
When you're absolutely desperate and insist on having a soda, then share it with a friend so you get half the calories, half the sugar, and half the caffeine that you'd otherwise get.
If you're just not ready to say no to soda just yet, then make yourself “earn” that empty-calorie, nutrient-lacking beverage. First take a walk for a half hour. Then jump rope for 5 minutes. Then play with a hoola hoop for another 5 minutes. Then drink a glass of water. Next, before downing that soda, chew on an apple, pear, or some strawberries, with a handful of almonds. Hey, by the time you've done all of this, you may find that you're not in the mood anymore for that soft drink...

While initially it may seem a bit overwhelming to give up a long-standing habit of drinking soft drinks, sweetened teas, or sports drinks, rest assured that your life will be so much better just from saying no. Indeed, the benefits could be many just by following these simple steps. You may lose weight more readily, get more sustained energy, concentrate better, feel more even-keeled mood-wise, and even get a boost in your libido. So go get ‘em! Kicking soda and other sweetened drinks is a great first step in the right direction.

The power of delaying to squash sugar cravings

Connie Bennett
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/6915.htm

Quite often, wanna-be Sugar Kickers ask me: "How can I curb my carb cravings to keep myself from tasting and then inevitably gobbling handfuls of cookies or crackers?"

One of the most powerful and potent strategies is so simple that you'll wonder why you never tried it in the first place. Simply hold off before doing anything -- especially something that you'll later regret. After all, if you mindlessly shove those fast-acting, Much-Like-Sugar Carbs™ in your mouth, you might later feel wiped out, spaced out, moody and depressed because the numbers on your scale continue to climb.
Think about it: Just about all of us are good at delaying in the first place. You know how you keep putting off cleaning the house, giving your boss that proposal or even throwing out the garbage? More to the point, many of us are pretty darn good at procrastinating, right? I know I am. While I'm certainly not proud of this dubious skill, delaying, I've found, is a fun, clever way to give procrastination a positive spin!

I hit upon this incredible strategy back in 1998 when I kicked sweets and simple carbs on doctor's orders. To this day, I'm struck by how easy, effortless, and darn effective it is to just delay!

Everyone of any age—unless you're maybe a tot—can cultivate this tactic. All you have to do is promise yourself to hold off for a brief period of time. Then, you can delay over and over again, even for hours. Just think: The next morning you'll be relieved and proud of yourself that you didn't cave into your cravings.

Here are 7 ways delaying can be your remarkable ally to help you pull the plug on your unwanted sugar habit. (It's one of "6 D's" strategies that I've developed to help both myself and other "Sugar Kickers.")

Delaying (first 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.) before eating that brownie, cookie, or candy bar gives you a golden opportunity to break away from your impulses so that you can easily detach from them.
Delaying for 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, etc. allows your cravings to readily subside while you get involved with other things.
Delaying lets you take positive, health-promoting action by simple inaction. Yes, doing absolutely nothing can be pivotal when kicking or cutting back on sweets and quickie carbs.
Delaying turns procrastinating into an effective art form and proactive gesture.
Delaying allows you to zero in on what foods—if any—you're really craving. Does your body really need cookies, cake, and pretzels? I highly doubt it!! Or would your amazing body rather have water, fresh vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein or healthy fats?
Delaying gives you a chance to get in touch with your true feelings. What the heck is really going on that makes these quickie carbs so tantalizing to you?
Delaying permits you to take pride in yourself that you put off a short-lived, self-defeating immediate gratification in favor of a long-term positive outcome. (Isn't it far preferable to lose weight, have more energy and concentrate better than giving in during one moment of weakness and then suffering the consequences?)

In short, simple delaying is truly one of the most effective tools a successful Sugar Kicker can use.

Pro-active action to cut your cravings
I encourage you to become a delaying artist now. Of course, as you know, "practice makes perfect."

Next time you have a hankering for something sweet (that's processed), begin by delaying. Look at your watch or a clock and now wait for 5 minutes before putting any refined sweets in your mouth—you can easily do that!
Now, step outside your obsessive sugary thoughts and wait 10 minutes. It can help if you do something else in the meantime.
Then hold off another 20 minutes. Be creative with your delaying time. Some people find doing the dishes or putting clothes away is a way to pull the plug on your food thoughts.
Then really challenge yourself! Wait an hour, then 2 hours, or maybe even the whole evening. You can do it!

Finally, write about your experience in a journal or notebook.

By delaying, you could learn a lot about yourself and the power of a focused mind.

To this day, I thank Ms. Delay for helping me to learn that Life is Sweeter Without Refined Sweets.

The scoop on how sweets could sour your sweetie: make Valentine's Day sweeter by giving gifts from the heart

by Connie Bennett
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/6852.htm

Hey guys (or ladies), if you think you're scoring high points for caving into your loved one's sugar cravings by giving her a box of chocolates or candies, think again. Your harmless, well-intentioned gesture could backfire. And your heart-shaped "treats" could lead to undesired, unromantic outcomes.

More to the point, your sugary gift could instead cause your sweetie anguish and take her out of the mood for love and possibly make her moody, wiped out and low on libido.

Actually, your lady might pretend to like your gift but later get angry at herself for polishing off the box of chocolates within a day or two, dread getting on the scale for days afterwards, bring the box to work just to get rid of it – or even secretly flush the alleged "goodies" down the toilet to keep herself away from them.

So, rather than incur your honey's wrath or passive-aggressive anger, this Valentine's Day, consider giving a sweet, non-sugary gift.

"Valentine's Day is about recognizing your sweetie on a special day. Since you guys and gals are sweet enough, there's no need to add sugar to the mix," says relationship expert Dr. Gilda Carle, author of Don't Bet on the Prince! and founder of www.DrGilda.com.

Besides, adds nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet and frequent "Today Show" contributor, "In some ways, giving chocolate for Valentine's Day is almost a cop-out. It's easy for a guy to grab a box of candy that's wrapped in red and feel like he's done his job."

Here are some tips from the experts for more romantic, heartwarming, non-sugary gifts from the heart:

"The best way to show love is to spend time with her," Somer points out. "Give your woman some quality time and make some memories together like planning to take some walks together or go to the mountain or beach."
Robyn Spizman, one of America's foremost gift experts and author of The Giftionary™, recommends more non-sugary gift ideas: "For friends, you could buy a subscription to a nutrition magazine and include a card that says, 'No one is sweeter than you.' If you're newly dating someone and don't know what to do, you could give him Sports Illustrated and tell him, 'You're a good sport.' Within minutes, your gift is sent from the comfort of your home. If you're out with him that night, you could have it sent by the time he's home."
You also could get your loved one some beautiful, blown-glass, non-edible "candy" designed by Hulet and Hulet that comes in a heart-shaped box and is available at www.LightOpera.com, Spizman suggests. "Or you could get pears from Harry and David wrapped in gold foil from and give it with a card that says, 'Glad I've paired up with you.' And if you want to be romantic but don't want to spend a lot of money, you could give a single rose and include a note that says, 'I only have eyes for you' or 'You're the one.' That one rose becomes a symbol of your love."
"Celebrate your relationship by giving a special coffee table book he's had his eye on," Dr. Carle recommends. "Or, take him to new heights in a hot air balloon. Or, let her know you care by doing a week's worth of household chores that she normally does. It's about showing your love and celebrating your relationship."
"Give him a message in a bottle," advises Julia Havey, author of Awaken the Diet Within. "Write a love letter, put it a bottle and fill it up with confetti and give it to your intended," explains Havey, The Master Motivator" for www.eDiets.com. "You also could give some cute romantic things from www.RedEnvelopes.com."
Naura Hayden, author of the # 1 New York Times bestsellers How to Satisfy A Woman Every Time… and have her beg for more! and How to Satisfy a Man Every Time… and have him beg for more!, has a number of sexy ideas. "One fun gift is a small bag of grapes, with every two of them skewered on a toothpick or an edible 'spike.' You and your guy each put one end of the toothpick in your mouth and work your way to your own grape. When you each eat a grape, your lips are touching and it becomes a very sexy grape-taste kiss. But if you happen to get first to not only your grape, but his too, then you eat both, and you get to tell him what you want to do to him and have him do to you. Or if he eats both first, then he gets to tell you what he wants you to do to him and what he'll do to you. In other words, whoever eats both grapes first is in charge of hugging, kissing, etc. The idea of giving your beloved a Valentine's card and gift is to show him how much you love him. And letting him know you love him is the sexiest gift and the biggest turn-on there is."
Finally, psychologist, relationship expert and happiness coach Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. recommends, "On the morning of Valentine's Day, leave a humorous note or love messages all through the house – in your husband or wife's underwear drawer, in the bathroom, in the car, etc. This shows effort. You're doing something that no one else can do but you because no one else knows the routine," adds Wallin, author of Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide For Transforming Self-Defeating Behavior.

68 non-edible goodies to give instead of sugar-filled candies

by: Connie Bennett, CHHC
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/7971.htm

Colorful candies: In recent years, that's what Easter is all about. Indeed, every year, the Easter bunny with the cute cotton tail comes bearing lots of pastel-colored candies for our nation's kids. Sure enough, our unsuspecting children consume these candies in big quantities. And that spells Sugar Shock and blood sugar bedlam.

So I suggest that we just ban the Easter bunny! Of course, I'm joking, but let's tame this cute, candy-toting creature for the sake of our children's moods, health and waistlines.

Because, let's face it, eating a bunch of candies and soft drinks -- what most kids do -- could turn your mild-mannered kids into "Sugar Brats." In other words, they could become moody, spaced out, confrontational, depressed, quarrelsome, hyperactive, rowdy, raging and tantrum throwing.

And that's not all. Over time, that typical American child, who consumes a lot of candies, cookies, cakes, chips, soda and other fast-acting, refined culprit carbs could become obese or overweight -- and develop blood sugar problems such as hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or even type 2 diabetes.

So this Easter -- the second biggest candy-eating holiday, falling just behind Halloween -- take positive action. Don't ply your kids with sweets to please them. Don't set in motion a sugar habit that could lead to hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Just ditch the marshmallow treats. Dump the jelly beans. Say no to those chocolate bunnies.

Instead, give your kids Easter fun by having them hunt for small, fun, non-edible treats, many of which you can place inside colorful, plastic eggs. Here are 68 non-edible ideas, most of them low priced, to usher in Easter joy.

Tiny Frisbees
Small slinkee
Small bottle of bubbles
Movie pass
Video rental coupon
Bunny-themed finger puppets
Jump rope
Kazoos
Whistles
Play Doh™
Silly puddy (or get some adorable, pastel-colored egg-shaped Easter puddy)
Baseball cards
Tiny, stuffed, squeaking chicks
Small stuffed bunnies
Action figures (Indians, cowboys or your kids' favorite characters)
Trading cards
Pedometer
Marbles
Balloons
Plastic rings
Plastic bracelets
Small notebooks
Lip gloss
Sample perfume
Fun bookmarks
Crayons
Colored pencils
Chalk
Small tube of hand lotion
Magic markers
Colorful erasers
Dice
Squeeze balls or other balls
Toy cars or planes
Marbles
Game of jacks
A pack of cards
Card games
Hair scrunchies
Hair clips
Packet of flower or vegetable seeds
Decorative shoelaces
Small water pistols
Temporary tattoos
Yo-yo
Foreign coins
Stickers and Stencils
Novelty key chains
Fun-shaped magnets
Paperback books
Tiny gift books
Small bike lights
Friendship bracelets
Fun coupons. This is your chance to show some imagination and create special "gifts" or coupons for a trip to the zoo, movies or mall; a morning of sleeping in; a day of not having to clean the room; or a weekend night in which your child can come home an hour later than usual.
Mini Tape 4-pack (Scotch tape)
Toothbrush with a cartoon character on top (This is your chance to spoof the way Easter is now celebrated with candies that could rot your teeth!)
Small coloring book
Plastic snakes and other creatures
Collapsible cups
Puzzle
Bean bags
Glow-in-the-dark insects, balls, earrings
Bendable toys
Bath bubbles (small packet)
Plastic animals (dinosaurs, fish, etc.)
Fans
Play sunglasses
Floating bath toys

If you still want to put a little food into your children's Easter baskets, you can select healthy treats such as:

Baby carrots (After all, bunnies like to nibble on them.)
Small apples
Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Soy nuts
Raisins
Colored hard-boiled eggs

Parents, even if you're nervous about bumping those blood-sugar bouncing candies entirely from your kids' Easter baskets, then at least begin to introduce some non-edible alternatives this year. Then, you could phase out candies and bring on healthier, non-edible treats next year or the year afterwards.

Think about it: Don't you feel like a better parent -- one who's much more loving, caring and forward-thinking -- by arranging for a fun Easter time for your kids that won't trigger obesity and blood sugar problems such as hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes?

I'm willing to bet that planning for Easter will be a lot more fun than usual.

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About this author: Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist (Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, cbs.com, etc.) and former, dedicated "sugar addict," who reluctantly quit sugar and refined carbs on doctor?s orders in 1998. She now laughingly pokes fun of herself as a "Scary Sugar Shrew No More!" -see her fun cartoons at www.sugarshock.com/cartoons.shtml. These days, Connie is regarded as a sought-after "Savvy Sugar Sleuth," who playfully and seriously educates people about the dangers of sugar and culprit carbs, which could include mood swings, depression, anger, "brain fog", and, of course, weight gain, and she helps "sugar sufferers" to break free from their dangerous habit. Connie is author of the engaging, engrossing book Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books, Dec. 26, 2006); founder of an international KickSugar support group; founder of the award-winning Sugar Shock! Blog (www.SugarShockBlog.com); a featured contributor to eDiets.com; a certified holistic health counselor; and a popular speaker.

Ten ways to stomp out your pesky sugar habit

By: Connie Bennett, CHHC
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/7972.htm

One of the very first questions that most people have when they want to stomp out their pesky sugar habit is, "What's the very first thing that I should do to kick or cut back on sugar or refined carbs?"

After conquering my own horrible habit in 1998, inspiring thousands of "sugar sufferers," and studying or receiving input from many medical and self-actualization experts, I've found that the most important first step is to see yourself free, feel your sugar-free success, and happily revel in it.

Here are 7 easy, effective tips and tactics to help you to begin to break free.

1. First off, congratulate yourself that you've even asked this question. Yes, really pat yourself on the back. You see, many sugar addicts, I've found, beat up on themselves for having eaten so many high-calorie, nutrient-poor sweets over the years. Instead, I contend, they should be excited, much like a runner is who made it to the starting gate. So begin right now to lavish some praise and much-needed applause on yourself, whether it's in a letter or poem to yourself or in a heart-to-heart conversation with a really good friend or loved one, who will support you in your endeavor.

2. Begin your day -- and go through your day -- with the firm belief in your heart that you can finally lick this annoying, if not horrifying, unhealthy sugar habit. Know without a doubt in the depth of your being that you will accomplish this. (If you're having some trouble believing this, then move to Tip # 3.)

3. Create a sugar-free affirmation or mantra that rings true for you. You could go for something simple like: "I am free of this sugar habit." Perhaps you'd like to try: "I succeeded! I am free of sugar cravings." Or you might like to try: "I only eat healthy, nourishing foods." And if you want to peel off some pounds, you may wish to say something like: "I, [your name], choose only nourishing foods that will help me reach my ideal weight."

4. State your sugar-free mantra out loud at least 20 times in the morning, 20 times midday and 20 times in the evening. Repeat them either inwardly (if people are around) or out loud (if you're alone) whenever sweets or simple carbs "call out" to you.

5. Write your mantra at least 20 times a day in a notebook. As you take pen to paper, feel yourself actually licking this pesky habit.

6. Play and replay "a movie in your mind" where you're the heroine or hero, and guess what you're doing? That's right, you are easily, gracefully and happily turning away from sugar and towards more healthy foods or activities. You can find literature galore that attests to the power and effectiveness of visualization.

7. Now select one, two or even three people who have wildly succeeded at something, and study their amazing stories. Anytime you're discouraged, just think how they overcame tremendous odds, and if they did it, so can you.

8. Read inspirational books and passages daily. As a Man Thinketh (Wildside Press, ISBN-10: 1557423601) by James Allen, You Can if You Think You Can (Fireside, ISBN-10: 0671765914) by Norman Vincent Peale, and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (New World Library / Amber-Allen Publishing, ISBN-10: 1878424114) by Deepak Chopra were among the many books that helped me become sugar-free years ago. I still like to read them for inspiration about other matters. If the Bible is special to you, by all means select choice sections to study often, too.

9. Find and hang out with positive, like-minded people who also share this optimistic, glass-is-almost-full point of view.

10. Make sure to acknowledge, and maybe even celebrate each accomplishment such as making it through a day without sweets or eating less of them. Naturally, by this I mean that you should do something special that's sugar-free. You decide what works for you. It could be as simple as breathing deeply, filling up with pride and saying, "Congratulations, [State Your Name], I made it through the day." But applaud yourself each step of the way, because those steps can add up to a week, two weeks, etc. without sweets, where you lose weight, get more energy, feel more focused, and get along better with others. So happily revel in your small successes now.

And bear in mind: I have confidence in you. You can do it! I know it!

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About this author: Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist (Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, cbs.com, etc.) and former, dedicated "sugar addict," who reluctantly quit sugar and refined carbs on doctor?s orders in 1998. She now laughingly pokes fun of herself as a "Scary Sugar Shrew No More!" -see her fun cartoons at www.sugarshock.com/cartoons.shtml. These days, Connie is regarded as a sought-after "Savvy Sugar Sleuth," who playfully and seriously educates people about the dangers of sugar and culprit carbs, which could include mood swings, depression, anger, "brain fog", and, of course, weight gain, and she helps "sugar sufferers" to break free from their dangerous habit. Connie is author of the engaging, engrossing book Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books, Dec. 26, 2006); founder of an international KickSugar support group; founder of the award-winning Sugar Shock! Blog (www.SugarShockBlog.com); a featured contributor to eDiets.com; a certified holistic health counselor; and a popular speaker.

Sugar addicts: 4 simple tips to resist tempting cookies, candies & chocolate

By: Connie Bennett, CHHC
Location: http://sheknows.com/about/look/8333.htm

Is that tantalizing chocolate candy bar over there is calling out to you? Does that decadent dessert in the window beckon you? Is that donut saying, "Eat me!"

These are descriptions I often hear from people plagued by sugar addiction. Indeed, folks worldwide often feel that sugary treats are luring them in. Of course, advertisements galore don't make passing up on sweets any easier. But the sad reality is that sugar addiction or what I call "over attachment" to sweets and simple carbs is an affliction that confronts about half -- if not more -- of us.

While I empathize with this kind of sugar frustration and sugar agony -- I'm an ex-sugar addict myself -- it really is preposterous to believe that sugary foods have you enslaved or that they have your name on them! Whoa! It's time to squash those desperate sugar desires right now!

Here are 4 simple, sure-fire techniques to squash temptation immediately, just as it confronts you. When sugary foods "call out" to you:

Get the scoop on why you're "hungry."
Ask yourself if you're really famished for nutrient-lacking red licorice or hard candies? Of course not! Do you instead really long for love, tenderness, joy, friendship, laughter, sympathy, a good workout, a dose of spirituality, a better job, or improved communication with your significant other? In other words, are you completely malnourished because your heart and soul aren't getting the things you most cherish and need? When I kicked sugar back in 1998, asking myself questions such as these helped me to turn away from sweets time and time again until proudly saying "no" became a wonderful, ingrained habit. So I invite you to become conscious in the moment as to the reason(s) for your so-called "hunger." That powerful knowledge can lead you to better, healthier actions. Or, think of this in another way, as the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I studied), suggests. When sweet temptations are about to get the better of you, ask yourself: "Do I want that sugary 'treat because I'm hungry or am I really yearning for 'primary foods' such as relationships, exercise, spirituality, etc.?"
Get angry at your destructive habit!
Now it's time to have some fun. Get furious at your pitiful reliance on sugary and processed carbs. Of course, I'm NOT suggesting that you hate yourself. Just become outraged at your behavior and the fact that you lean on these culprit carbs when you're blue, lonely, moody, etc. Now go ahead -- get repulsed by your heinous, potentially health-damaging actions. Become revolted by the fact that you let sweets strip you of your dignity and force you to do demeaning things like digging uneaten candies out of your garbage can. (Sound familiar?) Get livid at just how low you've sunk. (I'm not a therapist, but tapping into your fury – as I once did – can have a potent, effective, life-affirming result.)
Claim your power.
Realize that YOU alone are in control -- not those stupid desserts. It's entirely up to you what you put into your mouth and stomach. You can consciously make better selections as to what you'll feed yourself and how you'll spend your time. Stand in your own corner. Stick up for yourself. Choose to treat your body and soul with respect, dignity, admiration and even encouragement.
Grab nourishment instead.
Now that you're armed with valuable insights, gotten angry at your stupid habit and tapped into your inner strength, you can choose something more healthy and fun. How about a strenuous workout instead? Why not get together with a friend and go for a walk in the park? Or maybe you could plan a romantic evening -- complete with massage and cute love notes -- with your significant other? Begin to make better, more positive, healthier choices. Instead of mindlessly cramming quickie carbs into your mouth, pick activities that nurture and feed your soul. Now go do it!

Remember, if you've been habitually turning to sweets for solace, at times you may still feel that you're a hopeless sugar addict. Just remind yourself that sugary foods are NOT calling out to you. You alone have the final say as to whether or not you'll treat your body like a garbage dumpster or a temple. You alone can politely turn down desserts from your sugar-pushing relatives or insensitive, sugar-addicted friends or loved ones. So delight in taking charge now now. Decide that temptation does NOT rule you. Choose to nourish yourself in healthy ways instead.

Know in your gut that you can stomp your sugar habit to smithereens. All you need to do is put into action simple tips and tactics such as I've outlined to break free from your sugar habit so that you get more energy, better concentration and maybe even increased libido.

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About this author: Connie Bennett is the author of Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books, 2007); a certified holistic health counselor; an experienced journalist (Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, eDiets.com, etc.); and a former sugar addict, who kicked sugar and refined carbs on doctor's orders in 1998. Connie is a Sugar Liberation Expert, who dishes the sour scoop about refined sweets and helps sugar sufferers to break free from their dangerous habit so they can get more energy, concentrate better, be more cheerful, etc. To get the free Stop Sugar Shock! e-zine, visit www.sugarshock.com.

7 simple steps to forgive others & yourself

By: Connie Bennett, CHHC
Location: http://www.sheknows.com/articles/health-and-wellness/90097.htm

No matter what your goals—whether you yearn to feel free, become empowered, lose weight, be more loving or break a sugar habit—you may not be able to move forward or succeed until you forgive your loved ones, friends, yourself or even strangers who harmed and wronged you, whether deliberately or unintentionally.

As I can personally attest, when you feel forgiveness in your heart, it's easier to be happy, productive, accomplish your goals and be at peace with yourself. You see, absolving and pardoning another is really less about other people and more about being true, kind and respectful of ourselves. Likewise, humbly and remorsefully atoning for our sins and transgressions against others is a way to give ourselves the esteem and value we deserve.

Not forgiving someone else and not repenting for the wrongs you’ve committed can:

Rob you of your power and strip you of your dignity.
Keep you trapped in anger, indignation and resentment.
Make you feel helpless, stuck and frustrated.
Harm you physically or emotionally.
Stop you from enjoying relationships or reveling in your accomplishments.

On the other hand, forgiving others or asking for forgiveness can:

Free, heal, nurture and release you.
Fill you with lightness, compassion and good will.
Ennoble, empower and enliven you.
Bring you closer to God or goodness.
Refresh, reward and renew you.

I now invite you to try out 7 easy steps that I developed, which spell out the word "Forgive."

F -- Face the facts. Own up to the reality that you need to forgive another person or yourself. If you don't accept that you're stuck in a bitter, unforgiving, intolerant quicksand, you'll never get out of your rut to live a sweet, fulfilling, enriching life.
O -- Oust the anger. Even if you feel that the other person's offenses are real and your anger is justified, you should resolve to shed your fury, resentment and bitterness.
R -- Remember the offenses. Recall the harms inflicted on you. Mind you, I'm not suggesting that you wallow or stew in self pity. Instead, I’m recommending that you take some paper and recount all or your or another's transgressions. State: “I fully and freely forgive _____________ (person's name) for ______________ (spell out what the person did). Your list could go on and on, but always make sure to “fully and freely forgive” first. Now read your list out loud several times. Then take a match to it and burn it in the sink. (This is very freeing, but please be careful not to start a fire or hurt yourself!) Repeat this process, if desired.
G -- Give the benefit of the doubt. Realize that, in most instances, the person(s) who harmed you was probably being either selfish or self-involved and was not out to hurt you. But if she or he had underlying, callous, unkind thoughts, then shower that person with pity, kindness and empathy. Looking at these "sinners"—or even yourself—with this kind of compassion and understanding can help to release you.
I -- Imagine what forgiveness feels like. Now visualize yourself breaking free with forgiveness. Pray to God for forgiveness, too, if you wish. Then create and repeat forgiveness affirmations or mantras in front of the mirror. One such forgiveness affirmation could be: “I fully and freely forgive ______________ (person's name), and I am now released. Harmony, peace and good will reign supreme between ______________ (person's name) and me.”
V -- Value the experience. Realize that forgiveness can be powerful and effective—perhaps as important as eating nourishing foods, exercising and believing in yourself. Acknowledge that letting go of your acrimony, animosity and antagonism can totally transform and improve your life.
E -- Embrace forgiveness. Approaching another to apologize completes your 7-step process and helps you to achieve a joyous, merciful frame of mind. (If the person is no longer on this earth, imagine yourself humbly asking forgiveness and the other person pardoning you.)

I hope that simply reading these easy 7 steps to "FORGIVE" will begin to ennoble, educate and empower you. Now, I invite you to begin pardoning those folks who've affronted you. Remember, by forgiving someone, you’ll free up space in your heart and being for more wonderful things to arrive.

About this author: Connie Bennett is the author of Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books, 2007); a certified holistic health counselor; an experienced journalist (Los Angeles Times, TV Guide, eDiets.com, etc.); and a former sugar addict, who kicked sugar and refined carbs on doctor's orders in 1998. Connie is a Sugar Liberation Expert, who dishes the sour scoop about refined sweets and helps sugar sufferers to break free from their dangerous habit so they can get more energy, concentrate better, be more cheerful, etc. To get the free Stop Sugar Shock! e-zine, visit www.sugarshock.com.

7 simple steps to forgive others & yourself

By: Connie Bennett, CHHC Location: http://www.sheknows.com/articles/health-and-wellness/90097.htm

By: Connie Bennett, CHHC
Location: http://www.sheknows.com/articles/health-and-wellness/90097.htm