Halloween...Mystery, Mischief and Candy!!!

It's that time of year again...Halloween! Little goblins will soon be visiting my door asking for treats. And I can't wait! You see, Halloween brings back the joy of childhood for me. Thinking I was really the costumed creature I was made up to be. (Although I think I'll forget about the year I was a grape. Long story and poor choice by our classroom teacher for a themed class costume of fruit! Thanks Aunty!). And let's not forget, the candy! I still remember the house that gave out full size candy bars! Halloween was always full of a little bit of candy, mystery and mischief. Now as an adult, a personal trainer and mom, I'm supposed to forget some of those joys. View Halloween candy as evil. Banish it from the house and vow not to eat it. Soon the lists of good vs. bad candy will come out. Who really wants raisenettes, when what they really want is a Reese's peanut butter cup! Does that ever really work? Denying myself a craving usually only makes me want it more! And part of the joy living is enjoying the food I'm eating. Now that doesn't mean sitting down to eat that whole bag of snickers you just brought home, but there are other ways you can enjoy Halloween, it's candy and magic, besides substituting this candy for that one. (Although that does work for some people.) Some of my clients enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The trick or treating. Seeing friends all dressed up and their children and then coming home to see the "loot" they got. I used to love dumping out all my Halloween candy and putting the "best" pieces aside. (Mainly so my father wouldn't steal them! Love you dad!). You can do the same now. Let your children or just yourself choose your favorites. Then just hold onto those and throw out the rest or donate them to a cause. The USO often collects candy for distribution to the troops overseas. Everyone knows there are those candies you'll never eat and those you'll eat just because they're there. Why not get rid of them right away and just eat the ones you know you'll savor and enjoy? I have other clients who buy just one bag of their favorite candy. (My husband does this.). Then eats one a night. Often, because its there and you've given yourself permission to have just one, rather than "forbidding" it, you don't even need one every day, but can go a few days and really savor the treat. Other clients set a goal. If they exercise that day for so many minutes or at such an intensity, they can have one treat. If not, then they can't. It gives them the incentive to push a little harder or longer than they normally would have. The overall objective is that you can enjoy Halloween with all its mystery, mischief and candy and not blow your fitness, healthy living or weight loss goals. Enjoy the holiday! Enjoy the treats of the holiday! A little planning will help you do that and reach your goals!!!