How are you handling Halloween this year?

Okay, now we all know that official start of the food laden holiday season is upon us as we approach Halloween. How are you handling the temptations that come with the inevitable bowls and goody bags brimming with goodies calling to us?

I have a list of things I'm doing to help me make sure to enjoy the holiday without running me off the road so that I can sustain my journey.

First, I'm starting each day with one item from each of the following buckets that I want to focus: health, quality of life, and appearance. Each of these things is just one of the many reasons I want to stay on track, but making the conscious effort to articulate these things helps make them more tangible for me and helps me focus on WHAT I want to do and WHY I want to do it. I then try to think of these things before I put anything in my mouth and determine if what I'm about to eat is going to help me fulfill these goals or short-change me.

Next, I've decided not to bring candy/contraband into the house until a few days before the holiday and have made sure to get things for the neighborhood kids that, to be honest, I don't really like. I'm not much of one for sweet tarts, gummy bears, etc. The kids will enjoy, but it won't be nearly as hard for me to resist as if I had a dish full of dark chocolates calling to me.

Finally, speaking of dark chocolates. I am able to eat it without getting sick, I opt to go get a piece of Godiva... that's just because See's isn't available on the east coast... but what I'm saying is I get a piece of REALLY GOOD dark chocolate and savor it. Really enjoy it. This allows me to not feel deprived, but not have a bunch stuff in the house that could undermine my goals of living a healthier, fuller life... and still fit into my closet of size 4/6 clothes ;-). Now that I'm at goal and maintaining my weight, it's important to have some balance. Enjoying some chocolate is fine, but I also need to know my limitations and not put myself in harms way, which is why I don't keep bags of Dove chocolates in the house as I did before.

Please share any tips to navigate what can be a SCARY side of Halloween so that it's not a frightful journey.

 

 

 Hi Barb,
We made it through our annual party on Saturday.
We even had someone make a haunted gingerbread house.
Yes I had two candy corns and a couple of bites of the gingerbread ewww sweet.
Lee isnt into sweets so I threw it away last night and felt good about doing so.
Someone brought cupcakes to the party and I sent leftovers home with a friend.
As for treats for the few we may get I am giving small boxes of raisins.
                                                                          Annie

Hi Annie,

It sounds like you have a plan and are working it. I think that is the real 'key' to success. 

 

 Thanks Barb,
I suffered many years being smo I so much like me now than I ever have.
My weight hindered me from living and enjoying life.
I am at a place I am comfortable at thanks to my wls so I follow the rules pretty darn close.
You cant put a price on good health.
                                                      Annie

 Well... I bought candy I don't  really like!  I have all chocolate, but that has never been too much of a temptation for me... now if I was giving away baskets of bread and butter, or chips, then I'd be in BIG trouble! 

I am having friends over earlier in the day and then on into the evening to keep me company while I serve 40-50 trick-or-treaters... yes... I get 40-50 every year!  So I have lots of candy in my house right now!

I have decided to make a WLS friendly menu for my friends... so I will make a meatball soup, salad and some sort of desert like baked pears or apples or something fall-like...

If there is any candy left over ( I usually run out)... I'll take it to work the next day... 

And of course... I will exercise all week long, just in case all my planning goes out the window! 

Hi Lisa,

Sounds like you stellar plan! You'll have to tell my about your meatball soup sometime. 

See you soon,

This discussion topic has me thinking. I have been so focused on reaching my one year post op surgery date on Nov 17th that I have not thought  that far in advance.  So after reading your post, I need to sit down and think about this.

Hi Dasie,

First of all, if you double click on your post, it 'highlights' it and makes it 'readable.' Not perfect, but a work-around until they get this thing fixed for you. 

Next, I'm glad that the post got you to think about how you will handle the issues surrounding the holidays. I don't know that there is a right way to do it, you'll find your own best way whether that means keeping stuff in the house, only buying stuff you won't get into, banning stuff from the house, having a bit that is planned into your meals, etc... Let me know what ends up working for you. 

All the best,

Well, Halloween has been my first holiday challenge since my sleeve.  I track my food every meal everyday and I never cheat.  Then...my husband brings this huge bag of chocolate candy into the house. He didn't do it to be mean I think he just thinks I'm stronger than I actually am. 

For a week I fought the urge to dive into that sweet goodness.  The tempation was too great.  I ate a mini and do mean a mini snickers.  And you know what, it wasn't that great, and I haven't wanted any since.  I think it was the idea of self deprivation that made me want it so bad.  I counted it in my calories and didn't go over and was within my fat and carb intake, so I didn't destroy my day of eating. 

This worked for me.  My first test of willpower.  I don't think I failed I just see it as testing the waters.  I just won't be swimming in chocolate again. 

Jean

Hi Jean,

As you say, this isn't a failure. It showed that you can and will manage your intake. I honestly think that awareness and accountability are not only the cornerstones for weight loss, but also for long term maintenance of the losses and associated gains we reap in this journey. While you are losing, you are most likely to steer clear of things like candy to propel you along towards your goal, but you are right, deprivation is not the key to success. I have found that moderation is and we now have a wonderful tool at our disposal that we never had before to help us succeed in a varied and 'moderate' diet. 

Wishing you continued success,