Smart Habits Blog

Visit My Main Blog

2010-07-26T09:34:31-04:00

Greetings visitors. Stay tuned for more content to come, but in the meantime, I invite you to visit my main blog, Sugar Shock Blog, where you will find frequent posts:

That update you about my Gab with the Gurus Radio Show guests.
That share tips and tactics to break free of your sugar addiction and other bad habits (or what I call babits™)
That update you about important health studies.
That offer links to interesting articles.
That share information about helpful programs that empower you.
And much more.

Visit my Sugar Shock Blog now.

I also invite you to join the Smart Habits Fans on Facebook.

Smart Habit Video Tip

2010-07-26T09:29:04-04:00

Here's a short Smart Habit Video Tip for you today.

Who are some of your favorite masters? Share with us here.

iPEC Students & Grads - Visit This Site for Smart Habits to Get a Life That Rocks™ Teleseminar Handouts

2009-08-24T19:19:43-04:00

Greetings, fellow students and graduates of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).

This is for those of you attending (live or via replay) my teleseminar, Smart Habits to Get a Life That Rocks: How to Coach Your Clients to Break Free of Toxic Food, People & Other Temptations.™

To learn more and to get your handouts to use in the call and afterward, visit this special password-protected site.

Then use the user name and password provided.

Thanks for attending!

For those of you who've reached this page but are frustrated, stay tuned, because I will be hosting events for the general public on this very topic, Smart Habits to Get a Life That Rocks™.

Lisa Rinna Will Teach You Her Secrets to Help You Get Your Best Life Ever

2009-06-27T12:51:54-04:00

Ever wonder what smart habits glamorous, award-winning actress, host and dancer Lisa Rinna has that enables her to always look so amazing, have so much energy, have time for herself and even find balance her life?

On Tuesday, at 3 pm EST on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show, the sexy, slim Lisa Rinna -- who has spent more than two decades in the public eye as an actress, TV host, businesswoman and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant -- will share some secrets so, you can get your best life ever.

For instance, Lisa will tell you:

- How to look and feel great
- How to lose weight fast -- without counting calories
- How to be "camera ready" in just minutes
- How to balance work, play and family while taking time for self care
- How to boost your self esteem and retain her sense of self
- How to build a solid spiritual anchor
- How to get healthy from the inside out and
- How to have having what she calls "kick-ass beauty." (Her words, not mine!)

Listen live or later to the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show with the sexy, slim Lisa Rinna.

Sneaker Saturday: Get the Smart Habit & Spread the Word on Twitter, Facebook & Beyond

2009-06-19T07:00:00-04:00

Do you have a smart habit of working out regularly or are you one of those who neglects to move your wonderful body even though you know that it's good for you?

Well, this Saturday is the First Sneaker Saturday, a fun fitness event, which you can join no matter where you live.

Sneaker Saturday -- which I encourage & invite you to promote on your blogs, Twitter and Facebook using this: #SneakerSaturday -- is about whatever you want it to be.

In other words, it's your choice as to how you celebrate Sneaker Saturday.

The only recommendation: You slip on a pair of your favorite sneakers and get moving. Your body needs physical activity, and even if you've been a couch potato all week, your body will be grateful to get out and about!

So what do you plan to do on Sneaker Saturday?

In other words, Sneaker Saturday is for us to inspire, excite and encourage each other to get out there and exercise. Plus, it means we'll share what we're doing -- what kind of physical activities.

For me, Sneaker Saturday will mean hopping on my bike (wearing my New Balance Sneakers -- love those shoes!) -- and riding down to Battery Park to look the Statue of Liberty. It's the most exhilarating, refreshing bike trip!

How did Sneaker Saturday come about?

Well, earlier this week, after attending day one of this amazing 140 Characters Conference, the idea hit me while having dinner with a bunch of amazing people, including renowned blogger and social media expert Robert Scoble, #140conf organizer Jeff Pulver, "Adventure Girl" Stephanie Michaels, PR whiz Candice Best, comedian Heather Gold, Ari Rabban of Phone.com and other hip tweeters.

The Twitter wizards at the table, especially Stephanie, were talking about all the events during the week during which people tweet using hashtags -- days like #FollowFriday, etc.

It was amusing to hear how almost every day of the week had a hashtag. (In Twitter lingo, that means the number sign is used in front of a subject that's followed by many people.)

Well, this got me thinking -- why don't we have a day designated to fitness, health or nutrition? Those of us who are health enthusiasts would love such a day!

Anyhow, I ran the idea by a number of cool tweeters at the #140conf, and they said that it was certainly worth a shot.

That night (Saturday), the concept so appealed to me as a way to encourage people to get people fit in a way that's fun for them on the weekend that the minute I got home after our fun night, I got on Go Daddy and quickly reserved the domain, www.SneakerSaturday.com. By Sunday, I became even more excited.

So will you join me in spreading the word and in helping to evolve this fun fitness event, which you can do anywhere around the world?

Share what you're planning for this Sneaker Saturday or the next one. Or talk about what it means to you.

Please help me to make this a fun, worldwide 52-week phenomenon.

I'm back after my first Sneaker Saturday fun. Took an exhilarating, serotonin-producing, rainy, hair-curly bide ride. Had a blast nonetheless and made it to the Statue of Liberty.

The challenges I faced in the trip exemplified what we authors, marketers, speakers, health experts, bloggers, marketing people, tweeters, etc. need to do: We need to lean on each other for help.

You see, while almost at Battery Park, the bike trail was closed off and there appeared to be no way to get there so I could see the Statue of Liberty (my destination).

I tried to go another way. Didn't work. I was about to give up when I saw a jogger going another direction. So I asked him and then a traffic cop for help. Lo and behold, they told me about a route I'd never tried -- one that, incidentally, was so OBVIOUS!!! It just goes to show that you need to ask for help to get somewhere.

Please tweet (or join Twitter to talk) about your #SneakerSaturday experiences. And follow me on Twitter @SmartHabitsGirl

The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers - Title of Next Book

2009-06-19T05:19:13-04:00

My next book (the follow-up to SUGAR SHOCK!) is no longer called The White-Out Diet or The Better Habits Diet.

Instead, the new title is now: The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers.

The subtitle is: Slim Slim Down, Boost Energy, Rev Up Your Libido & Become Happier in Only 21 Days.

To learn more about The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers, see the new graphics above and become a VIP Super Friend here, at my new site, www.SmartHabitsBlog.com

What do you think of this new book title: The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers?

Napoleon Hill Can Inspire You to Kick Your Bad Habits & More

2009-06-13T11:59:41-04:00

As I discovered while kicking sugar and other unhealthy habits over the years, eliminating a bad habit really begins in your mind.

To break your bad habits or what or what I call "babits™," you have to believe that you can succeed. You also need to see yourself breaking your horrible habits to accomplish your dreams.

That's why I encourage people who seek better habits to immerse themselves in positive literature, movies and thoughts so that they can become healthier, slimmer and happier. (While quitting sugar, I relied on them quite heavily. FYI, the wonderful book and film, The Secret, came out after my book was published.)

Now, thanks to YouTube, you can listen to and get encouraged by words of wisdom from master motivator Napoleon Hill, who speaks about how Andrew Carnegie inspired him to have loftier thoughts and dreams.

Of course, Hill is author of the huge bestseller, Think and Grow Rich, and he's been a source of inspiration to millions. Read some of his motivating quotes here.

Thanks to my Facebook friend Vanessa Bey for introducing me to this great Napoleon Hill video.

Again, remember, as Hill advises, no matter what your goals, you should begin with a clear picture of what you'd like to achieve.

Get motivated now!

Delay to Conquer Sugar, Caffeine & Other Unhealthy Cravings

2009-06-13T09:52:27-04:00

Often, readers of my book SUGAR SHOCK!, participants in my Break Free programs or fans on Facebook want to know, "How do I kick sugar, caffeine or other bad habits? This is so hard!"

I feel tremendous compassion, empathy and excitement for these people, because at varying times in my life, I've been there myself, battling a host of bad habits (or what I call babits).

Indeed I've been hooked on sugar, refined carbs, coffee, diet soda, cigarettes and sugar-less gum. And, as I've revealed here, I'm still working in getting those much needed zzz's

Over the years, I've developed a variety of tips and tactics to conquer my counter-productive routines, but in 1998, while quitting sweets and refined carbs on doctor's orders, I came up with one of my favorite techniques, which clients have been finding quite effective.

In my book SUGAR SHOCK!, I share my Top 21 Sweet Sugar-Free Success Secrets and Strategies (plus a few more). Now, I'd like to share one tactic, which can be effective to help you conquer sugar, caffeine and other unhealthy cravings. Here's an article I wrote to help you learn this invaluable technique.

Just Delay to Squash Your Sugar, Caffeine & Other Unhealthy Cravings

Creatively Procrastinate Your Way Out of Your Addictions

By Connie Bennett, M.S.J., C.H.H.C.

Quite often, people who want to kick sugar, curtail caffeine, stop drinking diet soda, lose weight or manage their diabetes ask me: “How can I conquer my cravings for these substances? Once I start, I just can't help myself."

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 DELAY before you do anything – especially something that you'll later regret.

Think about it: Most of us are pretty darn good at delaying or procrastinating, right?

You know how you keep putting off organizing your desk drawers, cleaning the house, giving your boss that proposal, helping your kids with their homework, donating old clothes or taking out the garbage? Clearly, we all have things we've been planning on doing but never got around to doing.

While quitting a bad habit such as a sugar addiction, I've found that you can actually transform delaying into something that's fun, clever and positive. In other words, procrastinating can be a good thing -- even wonderful.

I hit upon this simple strategy in 1998 when reluctantly kicking sweets and refined carbs on doctor's orders. To this day, I continue to be amazed at how easy, effortless, and darn effective it is to just delay doing any unhealthy activities.

What you'll do this this: Just delay away your sugar, caffeine or other cravings.

What's so wonderful about this skill is that people of all ages—unless maybe you’re a tot—can cultivate this tactic. Just promise yourself to delay eating that tempting treat for a certain amount of time, say 10 to 20 minutes. Or challenge yourself to delay drinking that cup of coffee. Of course, you can do that, right?

Then, you can delay over and over again, ultimately even for hours.

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

Here are 7 ways you can turn delaying or creatively procrastinating your ally to help you pull the plug on your unwanted addiction to sugar, caffeine, etc. (Delaying is one of my "7 D’s” to help “Sugar Kickers.”)

1. Despite the fact that they may "call out" to you, when you delay (first 15 minutes, then a half hour, then 1 hour) before consuming that cookie, candy bar, brownie or cup of coffee, you begin to detach from your potentially unhealthy impulses.

2. When you delay for 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, etc., your cravings will subside while you get involved with other things. Then, you'll even be able to put your cravings into proper perspective.

3. When you delay, you're taking positive, health-promoting action by simple inaction. Yes, doing absolutely nothing can be pivotal when you kick or cut back on sweets and quickie carbs or confront other unhealthy addictions.

4. When you delay, you turn procrastinating into a useful, proactive skill.

5. When you delay, you can take time to discover what foods, drinks or activities—if any—you’re really craving. Does your body really absolutely have to have cookies, cake, pretzels, coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.? I doubt it!! Isn't your amazing body really yearning for have water, fresh vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein or healthy fats? Or perhaps your soul really yearns for fun, relaxation or exercise instead?

6. When you delay, you can get in touch with your true feelings. In other words, NOT caving into temptation allows you to figure out what the heck is really going. Depending on the habit you're facing, ask yourself, "Why do I feel like I must have these sweets now?" Or, if you're trying to reduce caffeine, ask yourself, "Why do I need yet another cup of coffee now?" You can do this to confront any bad habit.

7. When you delay, you'll ultimately take pride in yourself! You'll pat yourself on the back for putting off a short-lived, self-defeating immediate gratification in favor of a long-term positive outcome. (Wouldn't you rather lose weight, have more energy and concentrate better than give in during a moment of weakness and suffer awful consequences?)

In short, simple delaying or creatively procrastinating is one of the most effective tools in your habits-breaking arsenal.

Pro-Active Action To Cut Your Cravings

I encourage you to become a delaying artist now.

Next time you want something sweet (that's processed), something white (as in a refined carb) or something else that's unhealthy, delay for 10 minutes. Feel free to look at your watch or a clock to help you along. Then wait another 10 minutes.
Now, step outside your obsessive thoughts and wait another 10 minutes. It can help if you do something else in the meantime.
Then hold off for another 20 minutes. Be creative while you delay. You may want to do the dishes, put your clothes away, organize your closet, color your hair, fix your nails, etc. Doing these things can help you pass the time and pull the plug on your cravings.
Then really challenge yourself! Wait 1 hour or 2 hours, or maybe even the whole evening. Do something fun in the meantime. Get going on a project that you've been putting off doing. Fill your time with satisfying activities that allow you to "forget" about your overwhelming cravings. (If you pick going to a movie as a way to delay, then do NOT go by the concession stand! Bring water or a snack with you instead.)
Finally, write about your experience in a journal or notebook. Just jotting down your feelings can be so eye-opening, as many of my clients have revealed to me, and as I personally discovered years ago.

Ultimately, when you just delay or creatively procrastinate, you can learn a lot about yourself and the power of a focused mind.

To this day, I'm thrilled that I hit upon Ms. Delay years ago so that I could learn that Life is Sweeter Without Refined Sweets™ and other unhealthy habits.

Connie Bennett, M.S.J., C.H.H.C. is the Smart Habits Coach™ , a certified health counselor, life coach, journalist, "Ex-Sugar Shrew!" and author of SUGAR SHOCK! from Berkley Books. Back in 1998, she reluctantly kicked sweets and quickie carbs on doctor’s orders, and much to her amazement, all 44 of her ailments disappeared, including the throbbing headaches, severe PMS, and scary heart palpitations. Connie has coached thousands of people around the world to break free of their sugar addiction and other unhealthy habits. Learn more at www.BreakFreeWithConnie.com. Connie has contributed to numerous publications and websites (including The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Living Fit and eDiets.com). To get free health tips and other updates, sign up for the free Motivating Morsels e-zine.

Copyright © 2009, Stop SUGAR SHOCK!™. This article was edited from an article that first appeared on the Sugar Shock Blog. We invite you to publlish this article on your blog or website, but we ask that you kindly provide the above credit.

I'll Be at Book Expo America This Week

2009-05-27T13:41:00-04:00

For this important week in publishing -- during which Book Expo America takes place -- I will playfully go out on a limb to drum up interest in my next book and to pique people's interest in my friend Dr. Diana Kirschner's fabulous book. Here's a press release that went out to the media today.

Authors Develop Zany, Outrageous Marketing Gimmicks to Nab Publishers & Fans in these Challenging Economic Times

NEW YORK—As thousands of authors vie for publishers’ and readers’ thumbs up in this uncertain economic climate, some innovative, pro-active authors are taking matters into their own hands by coming up with over-the-top, outrageous, humorous marketing gimmicks.

“It’s time to become an out-of-the-box-thinking author-preneur, who creates gutsy, captivating messages that nab the attention and tickle the funny bones of readers and publishers,” claims author Connie Bennett, who is laughingly walking around Book Expo America on Friday and Saturday sporting a provocative, 24”-by-30” sandwich board that says, “Are You ‘The One’?”

The amiable author’s “Are You `The One’?” message—which looks like a single’s ad—pokes fun of the fact that Bennett is both a single woman and an available author with a Big Platform, who’s seeking “a committed relationship” with a “compatible publisher” to release her second book.

“I wanted to playfully show that I have the guts, initiative and ingenuity to be a successful author no matter what the economic climate,” adds Bennett, an experienced journalist, certified health counselor, life coach, self-described “Ex-Sugar Shrew!” and author of SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkley Books) (www.SugarShock.com).

SUGAR SHOCK! (Berkeley Books)—a bestseller on Amazon—has a foreword by Dr. Nicholas Perricone and has been endorsed by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup and film mogul Harvey Weinstein. The book’s contributing author is cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra.

Bennett’s second book—for which she’s publisher hunting—is a fun, friendly, compassionate, diet book, The Better Habits Diet: Slim Down, Boost Energy, Rev Up Your Libido & Be Happier in Only 21 Days. Fans are already signing up in advance to buy it at a special website, www.BetterHabitsDiet.com.

[Update: FYI, for those of you who are waiting for my next book, I've changed the title again. (As I discovered with my first book, authors keep using different working titles until they find one that clicks with fans and friends. So.... drum roll... it's now called The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers. It was also previously called called The White-Out Diet.]

The single author facetiously promises on her sandwich board, “Will put out on first date!!”—meaning that she’ll share information about her new book with interested publishers.

Admittedly, Bennett is “embarrassed” by her bold, laughter-generating sign, and she’s even offering passers-by some nuts to underscore the nuttiness of her marketing campaign.

The author also promises to meet publishing suitors—not at the Empire State Building like “Sleepless in Seattle”—but at “Booth 3534 at the Top of Every Hour.”

Another author using out-of-the-box marketing techniques is psychologist and relationship expert Diana Kirschner, Ph.D., who, in March began starring with her 4-pound Pomerian, Madison, in a series of zany, dating-advice videos posted on YouTube to drum up sales for her new book, Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love (Center Street).

In Dr. Diana’s humorous “Simply Irresistible Flirting Moves” webisode series—which you can find at www.YouTube.com/lovein90days—she illustrates flirting techniques with her adorable pooch, who “plays” a hot guy. In one month, the series has had 40,000 views.

Dr. Diana’s videos—which she launched without publisher support—also have attracted more than 56,000 friends and nearly 5,000 new subscribers to her YouTube channel. The author’s zany marketing gimmick has been so successful that YouTube—which links directly to the Amazon sales page for her book—has granted Dr. Diana partner status, driving even more traffic to her website. (www.lovein90days.com).

With the publishing industry at a crossroads, Bennett and Dr. Diana are part of an emerging trend of pro-active author-preneurs, who are building their platforms and driving book sales through creative PR stunts that also bring laughter into the equation.

Note from Connie: If you're in New York, please come see me at Book Expo America on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Booth 3534 at the Javitz Center.

Joshua Rosenthal, Dr. Richard Linchitz & Others Are Involved in The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers

2009-05-27T12:15:00-04:00

Naturally, when you buy a health or diet book, you want to know if any celebrities and health experts are behind it.

Well, I'm pleased to announce that The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers has the participation of some cutting-edge people in the fields of health and wellness.

In fact, some acclaimed people already have come on board.

First of all, respected integrative physician Richard M. Linchitz, M.D. – a cancer survivor himself -- will serve as medical consultant for The White-Out Diet.

Dr. Linchitz’s story is amazing. Back in 1998, he was diagnosed with lung cancer (despite never having smoked).

His doctor delivered a bleak diagnosis -- he told him that 55 percent of lung cancer patients people lived for only five years.

Despite the negative news, Dr. Linchitz recovered by making massive changes to his diet and lifestyle.

In fact, Dr. Linchtiz will share his tale in The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers. And together, we'll offer offer his tips so you, too, can achieve optimal health and possibly even put cancer at bay.

In addition, I'm pleased to announce that Joshua Rosenthal MScEd , the acclaimed founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), the largest nutrition school in the country, is writing the introduction.

As I've indicated a number of times on my Sugar Shock Blog, I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2005 to 2006, and found this to be a rewarding, uplifting and enriching experience for a number of different reasons.

First off, one of the most exciting things about attending IIN was that we regularly listened to lectures from big-name, stellar guest lecturers -- people like Deepak Chopra, Dr. Andrew Weil, eating disorder specialist Geneen Roth and Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard. What's more, the camaraderie was wonderful. It was exciting to meet all those positive, wonderful students, fellow grads and staffers.

Both Dr. Linchitz and Joshua, I believe, are at the forefront of a fast-growing movement to transform the health of Americans. You can get a flavor for the impact that IIN and Joshua are having by reading his Integrative Nutrition Blog.

Just look at all the topics the Integrative Nutrition Blog has covered.

Check out, for instance, Joshua's intriguing post, "Living a Holistic Life," on the Integrative Nutrition Blog. And read this important one, "Good Foods, Lower Medical Bills," too.

Back to The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers. My enthusiasm for IIN sidetracked me.

In addition, another famous person will write the foreword to the book. (Name to be announced soon but it will be someone notable. Dr. Nicholas Perricone wrote the foreword for my first book, SUGAR SHOCK!)

Plus, The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers will have a 28-day meal plan created by recognized nutritionist Jill Lane, C.N.C., C.H.F.I. (Readers of SUGAR SHOCK! have been requesting menu suggestions for some time now. FYI, they weren't included in my first book, because my editor had to bump them or the book would have been too long.)

Also, as with SUGAR SHOCK! (my first book), The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers will get numerous endorsements from respected health, wellness and personal empowerment experts. In fact, some big names already are jumping on board. Check back here for updates.

Some renowned people who endorsed my first book included Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Christiane Northrup, fitness expert Kathy Smith, former presidential contender/former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, film producer Harvey Weinstein, actress/author Marilu Henner and Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Stay tuned for updates about additional experts as they come on board.

Have you become a Super Friend yet?

Join the movement to bring The Smart Diet Habits of Highly Successful Losers to bookstores and online retailers.