Surviving Halloween

It's Halloween Eve!  If you're celebrating, I hope you have your costume details prepared and your candy purchased!

I'm not a big Halloween girl, myself... but I do love passing out candy to those cute little kiddos!  When I went to weigh-in yesterday, my Jenny Craig center had a list of great tips that they were sharing that I thought might be good for all!


Halloween Treats without the Trick by Jenny Craig

• BUY YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CANDY - - This is something I totally do.  I buy things I can resist.  For me, that's definitely Hot Tamales, Almond Joy, Bottle Caps, Smarties, and some Twizzlers.  Now, I love Smarties and Twizzlers, but I know that I'll give them away and not eat them.  Too bad I don't not like Reese's Cups or Milky Ways... I guess at my house, you get the lame candy.  Sorry, kids, but I'll give you a LOT!

• START A TRADITION WITH YOUR KIDS, AND DONATE THE STASH OF CANDY TO A LOCAL SHELTER - - Wow.  You have to let me know if you're able to pull this one off.  I can almost hear the whining, but it's a GREAT idea!

• CHEW SUGARLESS GUM TO OVERCOME THE URGE FOR SWEET TREATS - - Brilliant!  They have so many sugarfree gums out there that taste like candy - - I recommend the Extra Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream flavor.  Yum-O.

• FOCUS ON THE FUN, NOT THE CANDY - - Carve pumpkins, put up decorations, or go to a haunted house!  You can be festive without eating the candy! 

• WAIT TO OPEN THE BAG OF CANDY UNTIL THE FIRST TRICK-OR-TREATER KNOCKS - - If no one knocks, take it back to the store tomorrow!

• POP IN A MOVIE AND ENJOY A LOW-CAL SNACK WHILE WAITING FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS - -  A fun Halloween themed one always works well.  Maybe Hocus Pocus (I may have watched it last night!)

• EAT REGULAR MEALS.  YOU DON'T WANT TO BE HUNGRY WHILE GIVING OUT CANDY - - Eat throughout the day + keep a bag of veggies you LIKE close by. For me, that's cucumbers and colored peppers or maybe some beet chips!

• ENGAGE FRIENDS OR FAMILY IN AN EVENING WALK TO CHECK OUT THE JACK-O-LANTERNS - - Not a bad idea here, I might switch it up and offer to take the kiddos out for their trick-or-treating (or with friend who has kids!)

• KEEP YOUR HANDS AND MOUTH BUSY BY SIPPING ON A LOW CAL BEVERAGE - - How about Crystal Light, Diet Coke, or some hot tea?  

• WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS OF INDULGING - - Think about what eating candy will mean to your week and to your weigh in.  Can you balance your slight candy-eating with a workout?  Also consider this... will you be able to stop at just one piece??
• If you eat 1 Nestle's Crunch fun size bar - - Walking with trick-or-treaters for 30 minutes will burn it off, but considering the stop and go, plan for 60-90 minutes total.
• If you eat 2 Kit Kat miniatures - - Rake leaves for 40 minutes in exchange for the treat.
• If you eat 1 100 Grand fun size bar - - Burn them off by carving pumpkins for 50 minutes.
• If you eat 8 Sweet Tarts pieces - - Make them vanish by playing frisbee for 50 minutes

Use these tips to make it a successful night, and have fun!