Some of my clients mark the beginning of the Holiday Season when pumpkins and Halloween candy arrive. Hot on the heels of my Back-To-School Transformation Challenge, I’m focused on helping my boot campers and personal training clients stay in control these last three months of the year when sensible eating and regular exercise can fly out the window. Here are my tips to getting through the first major holiday this season… Halloween.
1. Give Out Toys Not Candy
Rather than give out bite-sized candy bars consider something different. Halloween Super Stores, dollar and party stores have bins where small and inexpensive items are displayed. Why not give away things like glow in the dark spiders, pumpkin stickers, blow bubbles, etc. Once you start looking for non-food treats you’ll be amazed at the variety.
2. Wait Til The Last Minute
If you can’t imagine not giving out candy on Halloween, then wait til the very last minute. That way you decrease the amount of time you’re tempted to sneak a treat and sabotage your weight loss efforts.
3. One At a Time
When the trick-or-treaters come to your door, open one bag at a time. That way you won’t be tempted to munch thru a bag before the little ones arrive.
3. Get Stuff You Don’t Like
In all fairness this strategy may not work for you. I’ve met clients who say they didn’t meet a candy they didn’t devour when they’re in the clutches of a sugar binge. Perhaps this one will work for you. Another client really dislikes licorice… so she hands out “Good n Plenty.”
4. Remove the Contraband
After all the trick-or-treaters have left, get the candy out of the house. Put it in the trunk of your car or someplace where it’s not easily accessible. Take it to work the next day or give it soup kitchen charity.
5. Reward Yourself with Weight Loss Friendly Prize
The point here is that if you know that Halloween candy will be a problem for you, take action. Imagine getting through October 31 without plowing through a bag of candy. Think of a non-food reward (e.g., massage, mani/pedi, a month of boot camp;) you can give yourself. That may be all the motivation you need to get through the day.
If you’ve used other strategies to successfully remain on track with weight loss during the Holidays—please post them here!
Have a Happy (and healthy!) Halloween!
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