So I’ve managed not to pre-snack on any Halloween candy over the last couple of weeks.
The challenge is — how to avoid it until it’s all gone from the house.
Not talking about Katherine’s candy. It’s hers, so I’m willing to restrain myself.
But any left-over stuff to be given away? Ah, that’s the trick … along with how to do it without feeling like I’m significantly depriving myself.
Hovering at 208, even after overindulgence this past weekend …
UPDATE: The conventional wisdom about weight gain over the holidays is wrong (though it remains a real problem).
It starts with the Halloween candy that stays around for weeks. Then there is the feast on Thanksgiving Day, and eventually the incessant eating and drinking at the end of December, not to mention all that extra time on the couch. With all the opportunities to gorge and laze around over the holidays, it is little surprise that conventional wisdom suggests that the average person will pack on at least five pounds this season.
In reality, though, studies show that most people will gain far less. The only problem is that the holidays probably account for much of a person’s annual weight gain over the course of a lifetime. According to most studies on the subject, the average person gains one to two pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
Solution: Send it to me; you have my address.
(BTW, this post appeared twice.)
To paraphrase a certain weight loss cult:
First, keep in mind that you can buy yourself candy any time of the year. There’s no need to load up on October 31st when you can enjoy what you like, whenever you like, in reasonable doses.
Second, remember that eating a little bit of candy on Halloween doesn’t make anyone overweight — it’s constant overeating, and you’re not doing that. In other words, don’t assume you can’t enjoy anything, especially since deprivation is a tactic that usually backfires.
Third, if you’re still concerned that you won’t be able to refrain well enough, simply buy and give away candy that don’t like. 🙂 If there is no such animal, be generous with treats: when the ToT-ers start to taper off, hand out more out and give the later-evening teens a handful or two — it’s their complexion. 🙂
Avo, yeah, bad posting.
And since I’m deleting the second one, already commented upon, here’s the comment, from DOF:
Yeah, it’s the “reasonable doses” thang that gets me in trouble. I eat M&Ms like candy … er, like peanuts … um, like, “Hey, where did that big bowl of M&Ms go,” vanishing into my mouth one-by-one.
But, yes, the point is taken. And I don’t usually buy candy the rest of the year. Indeed, the danger of H’ween is that it’s in my house.
Hence my last question. Deprivation doesn’t work, at least not for me. It has to be sustainable. The question then becomes, how to reward myself with a little treat (in lieu of something else).
That particular tactic has occurred to me — both of them, actually.
Need to mention that to Margie before she buys a supplemental supply.
Oh, well, yes, DOF, any of those sound marvelous — but they don’t really solve the Problem, do they? (Hence, as much as I love Margie’s baking, my not encouraging her to do so.)
Anything not given away is taken to work and is soon devoured by people other than me.
Candy wise, I am a lot like Dave, if it is there I will eat it, but I can go for…most of a year without eating any candy because it is not on my radar food/craving wise.
it is the same with deserts (other than a Pepperidge Farm cookie or two) were not something offered or even around other than say holidays. So they became treats and thought of as such.
That and I tend to want to eat Entrees and Salads more than a Desert.
In what way could living with an uber-baker solve any diet problem? I have only a tiny fraction of the willpower that would be needed to discourage her creativity.
I’ve had to actively discourage rampant (and delicious) baking around me in the past as well, simply because I’m terrible about resisting it, like DOF (or Dave). I totally understand how the mere presence of a substance makes it so much more likely to be consumed than if it simply isn’t there. (This is also the reason I never have the television on unless there’s a specific show on I intend to watch.)
Of course, living alone, I’ve ironically turned around and made multiple batches of Snickerdoodles, for which I’ve no one to blame but myself.
Yeah, we often send left-over baked goods to the office. A fine way to dispose of them.
I agree as well on desserts. I usually eschew cakes and pies, and only do desserts if everyone else is (and even then I’m as likely to order some port — which doesn’t save on the calories, I know).
Doyce, dude — I really want to be supportive. If you ever find yourself alone in the house with snickerdoodles, just call, and I’ll there to help you, man.