For those of us who are watching our weight, Halloween can be a scary experience! Although the dreaded holiday weight gain is usually associated with the month of December, pumpkin season is really where the pounds start to pile on. A study published in the Nutrition Review in December of 2000, showed that while the average American gains only a pound or two during the end-year holidays, those with weight problems often gain five to ten pounds.
Although a few pieces of Halloween candy won't derail your weight loss program, the temptation to get carried away can really pack on the pounds. The following tips will help you stick to your healthy weight loss plan without taking all the fun out of the holiday.
Tip # 1 ? Don't buy candy until Halloween day. Having an unlimited supply of lollypops, candy corn, and tootsie rolls only entices you to have some early. If you must buy the candy before Halloween, select the kinds you don't like in order to reduce the temptation to dig in.
Tip # 2 ? Purchase the treats with the lowest amount of calories. There are plenty of ?snack size?, ?treat size?, and ?fun size? options available that will save you, your children, and the neighborhood trick-or-treaters a ton of calories.
Tip # 3 ? Set a deadline by which all holiday candy will be thrown away. Your best bet would be to toss the junk out the following morning, bring it to work, or give it to someone who can distribute it elsewhere.
Tip# 4 ? Maintain control by giving yourself permission beforehand to enjoy some ?goodies.? Halloween is a bad day to test your will power and discipline. Trying to stay away from the candy and failing is worse than allowing yourself some pre-planned leeway as ?giving in? is associated with feelings of weakness and guilt that can drive you to emotionally eat for days on end. Make a deal with yourself that you will not have any desserts 3 days before Halloween. This will give you some breathing room come October 31st.
Tip # 5 ? In order to counteract the extra calories that will be consumed, try to increase your physical activity that day. Autumn is famous for its outdoor activities like haunted tours, public tent markets, bon fires, and hayrides. You could take a long walk in a wooded park with your friends and pets, make sure you hit the gym that morning, or simply trick-or-treat with your children.
Tip # 6 ? Control blood sugar spikes and insulin surges by eating a high-fiber fruit such as an apple, or some form of protein like an ounce of low-fat cheese before you decide to have some candy or dessert. This is especially helpful for diabetics.
Tip # 7 ? Your goal during this holiday season should be weight maintenance rather than weight loss. If you can accomplish that, consider it a huge success!
If you're working on a weight loss plan, one of the most difficult times of year can be the holidays. Around Christmas and New Years, the parties and meals you'll attend will include foods that are high in fat and calories and low in nutrition. Fortunately, by following these five tips you can stick to your weight loss plan even as visions of sugarplums dance in your head.
First, avoid the alcohol. Cocktails and beer are usually served at holiday parties, but they can be full of calories. When you drink, you also have a decreased will power when it comes to saying no to other holiday foods and your appetite will be stimulate, so you'll eat even more than you normally would eat at a party. Having one drink on a special occasion may be fine, but don't overdo it every time you head out to celebrate the season.
Another great tip to stick to your plan during the holiday season is to show up fashionably late after you've already eaten a meal. If you do this, you won't feel pressured to eat an entire meal of junk foods or snack on cookie or hot chocolate. Of course, showing up late may be insulting at smaller parties, so make sure you are not rude to the party host.
Use the holidays to get outside as well. You can play in the snow if the weather allows, which actually burns tons of calories. Walking up the hill to sled and having a snowball fight are great ways to get your heart pumping as well as work off those candy canes.
If the weather isn't cold or snowy, use your time to head to the mall. When gift shopping, make a number of laps around the mall and take the stairs instead of the escalator. Keep this in mind at parties as well get up and move around as much as possible. Christmas caroling is also a great way to stay off of your rear. This will allow you to do some walking while spreading the holiday cheer.
Lastly, avoid gifts of food. Of course, you can't tell people what to buy for you, but if you find yourself with a bunch of brownies or boxes or chocolates, why not share the love? You can take these products into work or even donate unopened items to your local food bank. These tips keep you staying slim, every as you're surrounded by goodies.
Both Mitchell Lee & Gaetane Ross are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mitchell Lee has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Hair Loss and Kitchen Home Improvement. For more helpful weight loss information, please visit or call (917) 648-8312. Mitchell Lee's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Gaetane Ross has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Nutrition and Affiliate Programs. Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. http:thebestdiet4U.live-o-natural.com. Gaetane Ross's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.