Here Comes Halloween!

Yes, it's that time of year again, when goblins and ghosts creep from their lairs! Whether or not you get into the "spirit" of things, the scariest part of Halloween for most grown-ups is the oncoming calorie onslaught. Whether you love chocolate candies, sour candies, jelly beans, or the seasonal candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins, there's a candy for practically everyone.  Or, perhaps you're fearing the temptations that leap out from around every corner as we approach Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. Whew!

So, what can you do to stave off those extra pounds? Here's a short-but-sweet list of tips to keep the calories at bay during the Halloween season (and beyond!):


Donna's Top Six Tips for Handling Halloween

1. Avoid buying candy early. Sure, you might save a dollar or two, but consider: How much time will you need to burn off all those candy calories? How much is your time worth to you? Is saving a few bucks really a value in the long run? If you must buy candy early, choose candy you don't like. That'll reduce the likelihood of hearing the candy call to you in the middle of the night.
2. Steer clear of the scarcity mentality. Don't fall into the trap of thinking, "Oh, I'll have just one more handful of candy corn...after all, I won't have them again until next year!" If you really want candy corn in June, you can find it on the Internet year-round. But scarcity isn't the only reason we binge on candy, which is why my third tip is...
3. Manage stress and anxiety. Make a plan now to handle holiday stresses. Practice assertive communication. Make sure your self-talk is realistic and positive. Say "no" when you need to do so. Ask for help when you need it.
4. Make a plan to stay on track. Do your best to stick to your routines. After all, they're working, right? Yes, it's okay to shorten your workout time, go to bed an hour later, skip food recording for a day or two, drink a little less water, or have a few pieces of candy. That said, sticking as closely as you can to your usual routines will help you stay on track, and get back on track when you slip. 
5. Consider changing your focus. Weight loss is challenging under the best of circumstances; it's very difficult during the holidays. Maintaining weight, however, is realistic for most people. If you're currently focusing on weight loss, it may make more sense to focus on maintaining your weight loss until the new year.
6. Get right back on track. Remember, you do not have to do weight management perfectly to do it well! The trick to successful long-term weight management is to get back on track as quickly as possible. That means no harsh self-judgment. Instead, learn from it, then shrug it off and return to what works. If you maintain your weight during the holiday season, you'll be ahead of most Americans.

Now it's your turn! What do you do to keep the number on the scale from scaring you? Let us know below! :)

How to Hop Past Easter Treats

Depending on where you are, it may still be cold and snowy, making it hard to believe that Easter is only a little over two weeks away. Happily, Easter is the last big candy day of the holiday season. As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, the focus naturally turns from candy to fresh fruit.

Until then, here's a short-but-sweet list of tips to help you handle the Easter candy deluge:

Donna's Top Five Tips for Hopping Past Easter Candy

1. If you're not keeping a food record, start! If you're skilled with eating awareness, you may not need to track everything you eat. Instead, you might benefit from just tracking candy, dessert, or whatever food you find most tempting. Write down every sweet treat you eat (or use your smartphone to take a picture). This tip works for soda, alcohol, and other high-calorie beverages, too.
2. Remember that Easter, like other holidays, will come around again next year. If you don't eat a crème-filled egg, it'll be okay. This isn't your last chance. You can always enjoy one next year.
3. Make sure you're on track with drinking water, getting enough rest, and managing stress. It's easier to resist temptation when you feel healthy and well.
4. If you have kids or grandkids, consider balancing candy with non-food treats, or celebrating with non-food treats. Although my kids still enjoy hunting for candy-filled eggs, they look forward to receiving a little gift -- this year, it's a video game for my son, art supplies for my older daughter, and gardening goodies for my younger daughter. My kids will happily give up candy for a treasure hunt that leads them to a gift instead of the traditional candy-filled Easter basket.
5. If you don't already have a personal or family tradition that includes physical activity, this is the year to start. Go to the park, take a walk, toss around a football or Frisbee with the kids, or get everyone dancing on the gaming system. Get a friendly competition going with friends or family!

Now it's your turn! What do you do to keep the number on the scale from hopping up during the Easter season? Let us know! :)

How to Hop Past Easter Candy

Given the chilly weather, it may be hard to believe, but...The Easter Bunny will be hopping your way this Sunday! (I'm assuming that on the East Coast, he'll be recruiting snowshoe hares to help him out.)

Happily, this is the last big candy day of the holiday season. Soon, the weather will warm up, the days will get longer, and the focus will naturally turn from candy to fresh fruit.

Until then, here's a short-but-sweet list of tips to help you handle the Easter candy deluge:

Top Five Tips for Hopping Past Easter Candy

1. If you're not keeping a food record, start one! If you're skilled with eating awareness, you may benefit from keeping a sweets record. Write down (or take a picture with your cell phone) every sweet treat you eat. If you're drinking more soda, wine, or other beverages, make a note of that, too.
2. Remember that Easter, like other holidays, will come around again next year. If you don't eat a crème-filled egg, it's okay. You can enjoy one next year.
3. Don't fall into the trap of thinking, "I won't see Peeps for a year...I better eat a bunch now!" Eating a dozen Peeps won't keep you from craving them in July.
4. Consider balancing candy with non-food treats. This year, my son wants a hoodie he can tie-dye himself, my older daughter wants potted hyacinths, and my younger daughter wants a hydroponic tomato plant kit. I'm also going to fill plastic eggs with candy and hide them around the house and in the yard, but it's the big gifts that they look forward to receiving. You can use this tip to make it easier to bypass Easter candy, too.
5. If you don't already have a personal or family tradition that includes physical activity, this is the year to begin one! Go to the park, take a walk, toss around a football or Frisbee with the kids, get everyone dancing on the Wii. Create your own March Madness challenge, and compete with friends or family!

Now it's your turn! What do you do to keep the number on the scale from hopping around during the Easter season? Let us know! :)