Happy Halloween! And how to survive from the sugar aftermath.

 Boo! Oh how I love this holiday. I love all holidays really, but Halloween is just so fun. I love the dressing up, the orange and black themed everything, the glowing pumpkins, and the decorations. I love it all...all except for the overabundance of sweets and the endless confessions I get at work for who ate too many of what, and why it was necessary. Halloween can be the start to a verrrry scary holiday season for those who are looking to keep up your healthy habits and stay fit. It is extremely possible to do, you just have to be willing to set some ground rules! Here are my tips on how to start this holiday season of right, and keep it that way.

1. Set some guidelines for yourself now - I am going to allow myself "x" amount of sweets per week. I am going to go to the gym this many times. Etc. Set goals that are measurable, not vague. If you set your goal as, "I'm going to try and eat healthy this week." That is great and all, but it's hard to feel like you either did, or didn't. Try something more along the lines of...Monday though Thursday I am going to cool every meal at home, or I am going to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. These are measurable numbers.

2. Get rid of the Halloween Candy - Give it away, bag it up and send it to a neighbor in need of some loving, throw it away, lock it up, do something so it's not just sitting in front of your face in a giant bowl asking you to come and munch. Sure, a few pieces of candy aren't going to do much harm to you, moderation is always the best way to do things. However, if you grab a mini candy bar every time you walk past that bowl you could be adding hundreds of extra calories to your daily intake. This could be trouble!

3. Prep yourself for the holiday parties. You know there is going to be a lot of them. Offer to take a healthy side dish. Eat before you go so you aren't ravenous and wanting to delve in to the high calories foods. Serve yourself one plateful and don't continue to constantly graze. Fill your plate with veggies and fruits first, so there isn't a ton of room for other junk. Avoid the unknown foods; if you can't tell what the salad is composed of, don't venture there. Pick ONE dessert. Although the table may be filled with eight different delightful goodies, don't go overboard.

4. Cook healthy yourself. Holiday Feasts don't have to be unhealthy. Get creative and experiment with healthy cooking substitutions. You'd be surprised at how great some taste.

5. Don't allow yourself to give up. Don't say, "I'll just start over at New Years." Start over right now. You may have a day or two, or three, or four, where you feel like you blew it. Don't let that get you down. Don't let two full months go buy of you allowing yourself to slowly creep back on the pounds you've worked so hard to take off. You are in control. Be in control.

Benita and I decided to dress up as nerds at the last minute, so we scrounged up what we had for costumes. I think I look more like a french girl scout...or Molly the American Doll...who I loved. I hope everyone has a great, safe, and happy Halloween Weekend! Are we ready for November...yikes.