Welcome to post #1 of the Healthy Holiday Series.
Today we start with Halloween and 5 simple tips to prevent Halloween Weight Gain.
I am going to be honest and say I don't love Halloween.
I know, momma scrooge over here.
I mean, as a mom Halloween is kinda a pain because I have to find costumes for all four kids AND myself and my husband. But my kids love the holiday, so I try to get psyched up for it and at least enjoy seeing their excitement.
Do you also feel like Halloween kicks off the “holiday season”? I feel like the “holidays” start October 31st and end January 1st. And for most people that time period equals a yearly gain of 10-15 lbs. If you are someone who doesn't want to repeat that cycle this year here's my 5 simple tips for Halloween:
1. If you struggle with moderation, buy candy that you don’t love. For me, that means not buying Reese’s Cups or 100 Grand bars since I could easily eat a whole bag. Pick candy for trick-or-treaters that won’t tempt you to partake. For most people, that means staying away from chocolate and sticking to sour or gummy candy, which you are less likely to overeat, but you may be different! This year I stuck with Tootsie Roll Pops because those don't tempt me in the slightest.
2. Choose your favorite candy and savor the heck out of it. Many people struggle because they label candy “bad” or “off limits”. When you do that your natural reaction is going to be to rebel and once you eat one candy there is often no stopping. Instead, give yourself permission to enjoy your favorite candy. Pick the time of day when you most relish the sweet stuff and save your special treat for that time. Then sit back and slowly savor the taste sensation. Enjoy it guilt-free and recognize that what you do 90% of the time matter a heckuva lot more than what you do 10% of the time.
3. Keep it where you can’t get it. Studies show that when candy is harder to access, you’re less likely to eat it. Put it out of sight and out of reach so when you are eating it (see tip 2!) it's a very conscious decision and you are enjoying it rather than mindlessly munching.
4. Count the empty wrappers. It's so easy to pop fun-size candy bars into your mouth that you can quickly lose track of how it's adding up. Count the wrappers and track every piece of candy you ate, even if it is more than you wish you ate. It's important to hold yourself accountable, so if you ate it—track it.
5. Just get it out of the house! You know yourself best, so if you know the candy will be an irresistible temptation, get rid of it. I have thrown away candy or donated it to a teacher. I also like to freeze Halloween candy. I currently have a bag in the freezer that has been there since last Halloween that I will probably pass out this year. Trust me, candy can last a loooooooong time in the freezer and it means if I actually want a piece I have to take it out, let it defrost and then eat it – which honestly isn't usually worth it.
Happy Halloween!
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