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“In the past few years, we’ve seen the popularity of Halloween really skyrocket, and how you manage this holiday really sets the tone for how you will handle the rest of the season,” explains Adrienne Youdim, MD, medical director of Cedars-Sinai Weight Loss Center. “It marks the beginning of a holiday Season that is laden with sweets, pies, celebratory feasts, cocktails, parties and other temptations [that can] derail important lifestyle changes.”
For many the evidence of how much fun we had appears on waists, hips, thighs and rears, not to mention scales. The holiday creep is the weight many begin to gain this time of year by overindulging in holiday delights. Often it starts with Halloween candy which may be a treat for kids but a nasty trick for parents.
![](http://www.preternaturalpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MP9003095671-300x214.jpg)
If you are among the 55 percent of Americans actively trying to manage their weight, whether for cosmetic reasons or for health issues like high blood pressure or pre-diabetic conditions, Halloween and the holiday focus on food can spell disaster. Fortunately, there are some strategies that can help you overcome this challenging time of years, starting with Halloween.
Youdim and her team at Cedar-Sinai offer the following strategies:
- Skip passing out candy. Inexpensive trinkets like glow in the dark bracelets, Halloween glitter tattoos
![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=preterpost-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001DZA3A8)
or Halloween stickers![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=preterpost-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003V1OTGG)
are a great alternative to sugary sweets and are treats kids and parents can love. - Buy candy you don’t like. If you absolutely have to hand out sweet treats, don’t pander to your weakness. For instance, chocoholics should try giving out lollipops, candy corn or gummy worms instead.
- Don’t take extra candy to the office. Your desk is not a dumping ground for left-over treats. It’s a nasty trick to play on unsuspecting co-workers and yourself.
- Ask why. Every time you are tempted to reach for the candy bowl, pause and evaluate your emotional state. If you’re snacking because you’re bored, stressed or sad, find another way to cope.
- Keep a food diary and track your calories. This is especially important on Halloween itself or at other holiday festivities. Commit to writing down every food you eat, including candies and treats. Seeing it in writing make you less likely to over-indulge.
- Stick to your routine. Healthy habits often take a backseat in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Don’t let them. If you usually hit the gym or take a daily walk, make sure you make time for them in your holiday schedule.
- Don’t make food the focus. Starting with Halloween, emphasize the fun of perfecting that costume and spending time with friends and loved ones. Not only are these the most important aspects of the celebrations that you will treasure and remember longest, they don’t contribute to the holiday creep.
If you are losing weight or under a doctor’s, dietician’s or nutritionist’s care, have a serious conversation with them about holiday eating. Even if you aren’t such a conversation can be useful and helpful.
“Many people seem to think that health providers like the Weight Loss Center are only for people who need surgery,” Youdim said. “But specialists and doctors have an arsenal of tools that can help anyone who needs to lose weight.”
Above all, be aware that you are a role model and can set an example, not just for kids but for other adults around you. Take the time to savor and enjoy each treat, don’t just cram as much as possible into every moment. Share ideas and menus for “pre-party” meals. Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone else setting limits and rationing holiday treats to prevent a binge.