Happy Halloween! My kids are so excited. They have had their costumes picked out for months, the house is all spooked out and we picked out a couple of the best looking pumpkins at the Lion’s Pumpkin Patch on the weekend. We are set for a night of trick or treating.
As the ghosts and ghouls come out so do the tempting and oh-so-delicious little treats. Have you considered how you (or your weight/fitness goals) will survive? How will you steer clear of all the goodies that are a part of Halloween?
Here are a few tips to help you survive the ghouls without the guilt.
Last minute purchase
Why does Halloween candy hit store shelves as soon as school starts? Do we really need to stock up for Halloween night mid-September? If you are buying your candy early and replenishing the stock, stop! Save yourself from days (or weeks) of indulgences and temptations and buy your candy the day before, or better yet same day. Not only will your waistline thank you buy your pocket book might too as many stores have the candy on sale the last few days before Halloween.
Buy treats you don’t like
If your favorite candy is in the house you are going to eat it. It is a fact. Don’t leave this up to willpower; you will be just setting yourself up for failure. If you are giving the candy away, it doesn’t matter if you like it. Give yourself a break. At the end of the night, when all the trick or treater’s have finished you won’t be tempted to eat the candy if you don’t like it.
Out of sight
Did your little zombie or princess bring home a bucket load of treats? Are they all screaming “EAT ME!”? Out of sight, out of mind! Keep the candy hidden away. If the candy bowl is sitting on the counter, you will be reminded every time you walk by that there is candy in the house. Put it away. Don’t look at it and remind yourself you don’t need it.
Moderation is key
You wouldn’t let your child scarf all the candy down in one night so don’t let yourself do it either. Those bite-size chocolate bars are bite-size for a reason. Have a bite, enjoy it and then step away from the bowl!
Opt out of tradition
Consider an alternative to trick or treating for enough candy for the following year. One Halloween my family planned a scavenger hunt for all of our children. We purchased small toys, activity books, and other exciting treasures around the house. They got to dress up but stayed in and warm and had so much fun they didn’t even realize they were missing out on the traditional candy treats.
Enjoying the ghosts and ghouls doesn’t have to mean a nail in the coffin for your weight loss and fitness goals. Consider some of my suggestions, brainstorm some of your own ideas and keep focused on your goal.
