Halloween Treats – Prepare Yourself With A Plan!
When it comes to the foods we eat, I believe that we need to eat whatever it is we want to eat… WITH – and I emphasize the word WITH… the use of self control and wisdom! What does that mean exactly? Well, basically it just means that if you tell yourself you will never eat sugar, carbs, chocolate – or whatever it is you have placed on your DO NOT EAT list – I can guarantee you, that you will think about, obsess about and possibly even dream about those foods you say you can’t have. That’s one of the main reasons why I believe that DIETS DO NOT WORK!
What ends up happening is this: You’ll be strong and dedicated for a while and may even feel proud of yourself for your amazing strength and willpower… but eventually, somewhere down the road you will crash. Whether you have a really bad day, or you think you deserve to eat a little reward, something will happen, and that food you originally said you could “never eat”, is suddenly being shoved into your mouth faster and more furiously than you thought possible. (Think: crazy, lunatic eating.)
Now on the flip side of this, I believe that it is absolutely ESSENTIAL to know what your “food” weaknesses are and to set limitations for yourself on these foods. Give yourself the freedom to enjoy the foods you drool over, WITH reasonable guidelines! And once your guidelines are established, you should also decide on ways to use self-control when allowing yourself to indulge.
Here’s an example: My husband makes THE best chocolate chip cookies in the world! Seriously – he could give Mrs. Field’s a run for her money! Whenever he makes a batch I would be torturing myself if I said I couldn’t have one. However, if I had no limitations set in place I could easily down 10 of his cookies before anybody was quick enough to stop me! And I’m not kidding either! I am like a wild animal when his cookies are around and I am without a plan. What I learned from a few “oh-my-gosh-I-think-I’m-going-to-puke-I-ate-way-too-many-cookies” experiences, is this:
When I know that my favorite treats (or any food weakness) will be around to tempt me, I devise a plan. I determine exactly what and how much I will allow myself to eat… and then I eat it! When I do this, I am happy for several reasons:
1. I get to enjoy my favorite treats.
2. I am in control of my actions and my health.
3. I feel no regret afterwards.
So…. since tomorrow is Halloween, and you will no doubt be surrounded by a ridiculous amount of sugar and fattening foods, I challenge you to prepare yourself with a plan! Decide today what you’re going to indulge in tomorrow! If you do this, you will avoid emotional, irrational eating binges and you won’t go to bed feeling disappointed in yourself, let alone going to bed with a sick stomach!
Post a comment telling us what YOUR plan will be for tomorrow! I’d love to hear… plus, if you’ve made your plan public, you may be more inclined to stick to it!
Hope you have a happy and HEALTHY Halloween!
Make A Comment: ( 8 so far )
8 Responses to “Halloween Treats – Prepare Yourself With A Plan!”
Krista
October 30th, 2008
Well, I’ve been my own self-motivator with all this. (Although, my husband is so supportive and wonderful) but ~Liz~ I have to give you so much credit for keeping me excited and motivated as well. It’s so fun!! I also know that our husbands are in the same profession. So, that is fun!! (I get excited when I get to see my husband for more than an hour a day)
Thanks for all your up-lifting words…They are great motivators.
Krista
Krista
October 30th, 2008
I just found your site this morning and wish I would have read this article yesterday morning. I didn’t have a plan for halloween and ended up eating so many treats that I’m scared to even get on the scale. Thanks for the great tip. I’ll remember that for next time I’m faced with so many sweets.
Deanne
November 1st, 2008
Hi Liz ~ This is such great advice! I’ve been there … done that with every diet and plan out there … but right now I am trying sensible choices and regular exercise and limiting “treats” just like you’ve mentioned and I honestly feel better about myself already. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. *huGs* Suzanne
P.S. We were at some friends house all weekend and since I knew the meals wouldn’t be exactly what I might have picked … I made the decision to avoid the candy completely … it totally worked and I came home so proud of myself 
Money Making Ideas ~ Suzannes last blog post..How Do I Plan To Win This Season’s Blogging Idol Contest?
Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne
November 2nd, 2008
ohh good advice~ i do have one thing i have been letting myself SPLURGE on… Chocolate CEREAL!!! if i COULD i would eat cereal- morning- noon- night (sometimes i DO) it is a much healthier choice than fast food for me- and i TEND to ADORE fast food- so if i MAKE a bowl of cereal- im GOOD once i get out the door-
but lately- all these cookies, pumpkin pies & reeses peanut butter cups my daughter keeps bringing home from school, and going to everyone’s house and the goodies are PLASTERED in cute fancy bowls…AHHHHHHHH!
i come home and make big ol’ bowl of cocoa pebbles or cocoa puffs… mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
hee hee
it is cheatinf but, on MY TERMS.. lol
instead of blueberry muffins (which i HAVE to buy for my hubby for breakfast) i eat blueberry mini wheats….
you all get the idea….
the weird part, is a reeses peanut better cup used to be the ONLY thing i WANTED that was chocolate/candy… but then about a year ago- i discovered that which is the cocao bean! lol…and i can’t get enough! but if i tell myself NO- i instantly want it! like carbs- if i TRY and not eat them- i WANT them… too bad we are still human sometimes!
Annies last blog post..we all have measles!
Annie
November 2nd, 2008
Okay, I had TOO much of a weekend!!! LIZ help me get motivated for this week!!! I NEED IT!! Back to a GOOD healthy routine this week.
OH and as for the candy….I asked my oldest son IF I could have all his candy bags..(He has like 4 or 5 from all the parties) but..If I could have all the bags and only leave him a small little bowl we would take the candy to a local dentist–who will then send the candy to the men in Iraq OR to someone who really might need it. Such as a homeless shelter etc. (there are lots of those here) IN exchange for doing that I would take him to the store and get him a $5-$10 toy. It worked like a charm and he saw the need that others may need the candy more than we do.
So, today we are off to deliver ALL THE CANDY…Find a good cause and GET RID OF IT in the house. If it’s not in my house you can’t eat it or see it…
Krista
November 3rd, 2008
I totally agree!! If I deprive myself of something I have already set myself up for defeat. (Sounds harsh huh?) But, it’s the truth! If I too just go in open-minded and graze at the good ol candy/cookie buffet I’m gonna be so dang sad because my work out that I did early in the a.m. was for NOTHING…(or maybe even just maintained me–but who wants that…I want to lose)
However, if I say..Okay this is what I’m gonna do and stick to it…I am usually okay with that…(Oh..and totally stay busy–helps your forget about the yummies)
~Liz~ The Fall Holidays are the WORST for me..I am usually really dedicated but when candies, cookies, and goodies are constantly in your face it can be a challenge..
So PLEASE keep the blogs coming to keep up the holiday motivation…
So, my goal…Is still lose over the holidays..NOT GAIN or maintain but LOSE..
Krista
kristadeeann@yahoo.com