Diabetes News

This is a follow-up to my most recent post, in which I encouraged you to read Sara McDonald's insightful article about the role of blogs in dieting endeavor.

As you get ready for the new year, I invite you: Keep regularly visiting and writing to my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog for encouragement, inspiration, information, tips and a whole lot more.

I'm here to help you, and I just know that you can succeed next year (in 2007), beginning at 12:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Yes, Virginia, Jennifer, John, and Stephanie (or whatever your name is), you can kick (or cut back on sugar) and marvel as the 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.
• Watch the pounds peel off easily.
• Look and feel better.
• And maybe even revv up your sex life.

Yes, indeed, shunning sugar can do all of this -- or even more.

As the new year fast approaches and you get in that resolution-making frame of mine, I invite you:

• Keep visiting here, on my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog.
• Post comments here regularly.

Then, go ahead and:

• Join my free, online KickSugar group, too, where you can get even more virtual support, too.

My goal is simple: I want to help you succeed in 2007.

As you look for more information, support, encouragement, and tips to succeed, I also invite you to buy my book SUGAR SHOCK! now.

Make sure to check out Part 6 -- the self-help section entitled, "Pull the Plug on SUGAR SHOCK! For A Happier, Healthier Life," which begins on page 275. "

This is a follow-up to my most recent post, in which I encouraged you to read Sara McDonald's insightful article about the role of blogs in dieting endeavor.

As you get ready for the new year, I invite you: Keep regularly visiting and writing to my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog for encouragement, inspiration, information, tips and a whole lot more.

I'm here to help you, and I just know that you can succeed next year (in 2007), beginning at 12:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Yes, Virginia, Jennifer, John, and Stephanie (or whatever your name is), you can kick (or cut back on sugar) and marvel as the 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.
• Watch the pounds peel off easily.
• Look and feel better.
• And maybe even revv up your sex life.

Yes, indeed, shunning sugar can do all of this -- or even more.

As the new year fast approaches and you get in that resolution-making frame of mine, I invite you:

• Keep visiting here, on my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog.
• Post comments here regularly.

Then, go ahead and:

• Join my free, online KickSugar group, too, where you can get even more virtual support, too.

My goal is simple: I want to help you succeed in 2007.

As you look for more information, support, encouragement, and tips to succeed, I also invite you to buy my book SUGAR SHOCK! now.

Make sure to check out Part 6 -- the self-help section entitled, "Pull the Plug on SUGAR SHOCK! For A Happier, Healthier Life," which begins on page 275. "

Frustrated because the flab has been mounting? Wanna lose weight? And keep it off in 2007?

Then get on your butt -- yes I meant that -- sit in front of your computer and start blogging! Or, better yet, start writing about your peel-off-the-pounds adventure on my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog or someone else's blog.

That's right: We bloggers can help you to succeed as you've never been able to do before.

• We hold you accountable.
• We encourage you.
• We nurture you.
• We virtually hold your hands when you want to stray.
• We cheer for you loudly (well as loud as you can do so online) when you succeed.
• We keep reminding you of the many benefits of steering clear of those unhealthy foods.
• We're here for you on a 24/7 basis -- no matter what you're going through.
• We'll welcome you no matter what part of the world you hail from.
• And should you happen to "fall of the wagon, so to speak," we're kind, understanding, and compassionate to you. (Well, these are some of my goals here on my SUGAR SHOCK! Blog and in my free, online KickSugar support group.)

What got me going on the virtues of the Internet as an effective dieting tool?

Well, last week, I gave an interview and had a nice chat with with reporter Sara McDonald of the Galveston County Daily News, who wrote an interesting story, "Bloggers Take Dieting Online,"

Simply put, Sara is onto a super-hot trend:

We bloggers can play a pivotal, supportive role in your life as you embark upon yet another diet for 2007. Indeed, if you virtually network with us, we can offer you so very, very much.

Look, I'll be upfront. Because Sara did such a fabulous job with her story, touching upon such an important part of Americana, I would have referred you to it nonetheless.

But I confess: I'm just not totally impartial. Yes, I'm nudging you to read Sara's story, because it conveys the incredibly powerful role that blogs can play in your effort to lose weight. But, I admit, I'm also encouraging you to read her article, because she quotes me.

Here's what Sara says about yours truly:

"Connie Bennett, who operates a blog and e-mail group and recently wrote a book titled `SUGAR SHOCK!,' eliminated sugar from her diet after she realized it was causing a host of medical ailments. Nine years later, she’s learned what others need to know about kicking sweets out of their diet and can predict commonly asked questions from beginners.

"Her e-mail group has more than 1,700 subscribers, and her blog has thousands of readers daily.

“`You think of the Internet as a place where you’re kind of removed from people,' she said. “I’ve had the exact opposite thing happen. It can bring people together and inspire and motivate them, even if their background is different and they are 1,000 miles apart.'”

By the way, as you'll note, in her story, Sara also quotes dieting blogger Jimmy Moore, founder of the popular Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Blog. (Actually, I'm the one who referred Sara to Jimmy, because she was looking for a successful dieter-turned-blogger near her neck of the woods, and I thought he'd be ideal. Turns out he was.)

So, read Sara's interesting article, "Bloggers Take Dieting Online," now.

Now, show your support of Sara and write a letter to the editor or discuss this story.

I was just reading some e-mails and again ran across this wonderful, heartwarming, unsolicited testimonial, which a member posted to my free, online KickSugar group.

It really conveys just life-changing and rewarding it can be to cut out sugar. Just listen to this eye-opening remark:

"This is the group that enabled me to quit sugar. After many initial struggles, I now find it reasonably easy to stay sugar free.

"I have lost nearly 3 stones [42 pounds] and have been at my goal weight since January this year.

"I also quit smoking cigarettes 4 months ago.

"My family, friends and work colleagues are all amazed that I have managed to do all this. Stopping eating sugar was the key. Losing the weight, then stopping smoking were relatively painless after that.

"I want to tell anyone who is struggling to quit sugar to never, never give up. I binge ate sugars for over 40 years, with accompanying depression and despair. I tried so many different ways to quit, until I found Connie and this group.

"Because I managed to do it, I know it is possible. And it is so worth going through the initial withdrawals. They do not last.

"I get immersed in my busy life, but do not ever intend losing touch completely with you all. Being a member of this group changed my life. Thank you all so much for being there for me, and for being here for others.

Jean"

Gee, Jean, thanks! That was so sweet of you to write this out of the blue!

I was just reading some e-mails and again ran across this wonderful, heartwarming, unsolicited testimonial, which a member posted to my free, online KickSugar group.

It really conveys just life-changing and rewarding it can be to cut out sugar. Just listen to this eye-opening remark:

"This is the group that enabled me to quit sugar. After many initial struggles, I now find it reasonably easy to stay sugar free.

"I have lost nearly 3 stones [42 pounds] and have been at my goal weight since January this year.

"I also quit smoking cigarettes 4 months ago.

"My family, friends and work colleagues are all amazed that I have managed to do all this. Stopping eating sugar was the key. Losing the weight, then stopping smoking were relatively painless after that.

"I want to tell anyone who is struggling to quit sugar to never, never give up. I binge ate sugars for over 40 years, with accompanying depression and despair. I tried so many different ways to quit, until I found Connie and this group.

"Because I managed to do it, I know it is possible. And it is so worth going through the initial withdrawals. They do not last.

"I get immersed in my busy life, but do not ever intend losing touch completely with you all. Being a member of this group changed my life. Thank you all so much for being there for me, and for being here for others.

Jean"

Gee, Jean, thanks! That was so sweet of you to write this out of the blue!

I was just reading some e-mails and again ran across this wonderful, heartwarming, unsolicited testimonial, which a member posted to my free, online KickSugar group.

It really conveys just life-changing and rewarding it can be to cut out sugar. Just listen to this eye-opening remark:

"This is the group that enabled me to quit sugar. After many initial struggles, I now find it reasonably easy to stay sugar free.

"I have lost nearly 3 stones [42 pounds] and have been at my goal weight since January this year.

"I also quit smoking cigarettes 4 months ago.

"My family, friends and work colleagues are all amazed that I have managed to do all this. Stopping eating sugar was the key. Losing the weight, then stopping smoking were relatively painless after that.

"I want to tell anyone who is struggling to quit sugar to never, never give up. I binge ate sugars for over 40 years, with accompanying depression and despair. I tried so many different ways to quit, until I found Connie and this group.

"Because I managed to do it, I know it is possible. And it is so worth going through the initial withdrawals. They do not last.

"I get immersed in my busy life, but do not ever intend losing touch completely with you all. Being a member of this group changed my life. Thank you all so much for being there for me, and for being here for others.

Jean"

Gee, Jean, thanks! That was so sweet of you to write this out of the blue!

I'm always pleased when a member of the press writes a useful article that can help YOU. So, to that end, I invite you to check out this illuminating AP story for 12 great tips to keep away those holiday pounds.. Of course, now that the new year is nearly upon us, these techniques could come in even more handy.

These tips are based on important research from Brian Wansink, Ph.D., professor of marketing and nutritional science at Cornell University, where he's director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. I've mentioned Dr. Wansink several times recently to draw attention to his much-needed, eye-opening book, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think.

If you haven't bought Dr. Wansink's book yet, you really should. It's sharp, insightful, easy to read and even brimming with catchy, fun art.

OK, I can't resist! While you're there, on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com or a brick-and-mortar bookstore, make sure to pick up a copy of SUGAR SHOCK! by yours truly! 

Around the world, blogs have hit the bigtime, imediaconnection.com reports, citing a comScore Media Metrix study of blog visitation in eight countries.

For instance, in the U.S., one third of the population blogs. But Canada beats out us Americans, with 58 percent of all internet users visiting the online homes in October 2006. Half (51 percent) ot all Internet users in Spain also were fans of blogs.

These stats sure make me glad that I followed the advice from a number of consultants. They urged me by insisting that, "If you're an author, you've gotta have a blog."

Thanks to Andy Wibbels, author of Blogwild! and the blog expert who set up my blog, for the heads-up on this new blog research.