How not to gain weight on Halloween

Mom's favorite candy

Did you notice that stores were already selling Halloween candy in August?! Really. If you are going to eat candy, you at least want it to be fresh!

There is only one way to stay on your weight loss plan on Halloween, and that is: If you are planning to be home to hand out junk food to the Trick or Treaters, then make sure you only buy candy that you absolutely do not like. In fact, it has to be the kind that if it were the only edible thing left on earth, you still would not eat it! 

If the temptation is still too great, why not give out pennies or nickels instead of candy. Just this week, the news is out that the youth of today (born since 1990) will be called "Generation XL"--as in Extra Large. Too much time spent in front of the TV and computer, and eating too much junk food. Just do not bring the sweet stuff into the house to begin with. On the positive side--getting up and down every few minutes may be the only exercise you get in that day!

If there is any remote possibility that you might succumb to even the candy you don't like, then may I suggest that you turn off your lights and hide out in a back room, and not pass out any candy at all. Go see a movie, or go to the library or a bookstore. You will not be struck dead if you do not give out candy to already obese kids. Besides, when I see both parents with their kids at the door, I wonder who is passing out candy at their house? No one, obviously! (And what's with the parents carrying children too young to walk? The candy is for the parents, hello, and they think we don't know that?!) So you are off the hook, too.

Whatever you do, do NOT eat any of the candy. Of course, if you can eat just one piece, fine. But for most people, it is over even if they tear a little corner of the bag. So, out of sight--out of mind is the m.o. for the day. If you want to read something that will make you think twice about putting any candy into your system, read this bit of scary info about what is in candy. My mom used to bring home a bag of candy corn whenever she went shopping in downtown Minneapolis. And she still lived a full life.

TIP: To avoid eating the candy, you could schedule a game night with some friends, and serve popcorn (without all the butter, of course). You will not die if you don't eat any Halloween candy. And you just may feel great the next day because you didn't succumb. One thing is for sure: Blow your diet on Halloween and you will wake up feeling terrible. And for once you get a pass to blame it on the ghosts and goblins!