Candy > Watch Your Weight This Halloween

Watch Your Weight This Halloween

by: Tracie Johanson

For those of us who are looking for quick weight loss, Halloween can be a scary experience! While just one night of indulgence in Halloween candy might not be enough to break your belt, dipping into the leftover stockpile for weeks on end will surely derail your diet or weight loss program.

In 1921, in Anoka, MN, the United States enjoyed our first recorded instance of a Halloween celebration. Annual candy consumption has climbed almost unabated since then. According to the Census Bureau, Americans eat nearly a half-pound of candy each week for an average of 25 pounds of candy a year. Candy is big business, with the United States boasting 1,040 manufacturing establishments producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2001. These establishments employed 45,913 people and shipped $12 billion worth of goods that year. Another 616 U.S. establishments manufactured non-chocolate confectionery products in 2001. These establishments employed 26,400 people and shipped $7 billion worth of goods that year (source: census.gov).

The overwhelming popularity of the South Beach Diet, Zone Diet, and Atkins Diet has prompted low-carb weight watchers to eat less candy. Overall consumption has actually declined over the last few years; as recently as 1997 the average annual candy consumption was a sky-high 27 pounds.

-> The Problem:

Most people on a diet plan or weight control program look at candy as little brightly-colored fat bombs. That assessment isn?t far off the mark, either, with most candy packing little nutritional value and a ton of calories.

Some of the more popular Halloween candy has too many calories to be included in any healthy diet:

Twizzlers 1 treat size pkg.= 45 calories
Almond Joy 1 snack size bar = 90 calories
Milk Duds 1 treat size box = 40 calories
Butterfinger 1 snack size bar = 100 calories
Milky Way 1 snack size bar = 90 calories
SweetTarts 1 treat size pkg. = 50 calories
1 Tootsie Pop 1 pop = 60 calories
1 Tootsie Roll 1 small roll = 13 calories

Note: Calorie content is based on 1 serving of Halloween ?snack? or ?fun? size packages, not full size servings found in the candy aisle.

While just a few pieces of Halloween candy won?t obliterate your diet program or weight loss plan, it?s the temptation to keep having ?just one more? that will pack on the pounds. It only takes nine small fun-size candy bars to put on a quarter-pound of fat. Besides candy, Halloween threatens many other high-calorie treats like Caramel apples (243 calories), 8-oz. apple cider and a cake donut (319 calories), or a slice of pumpkin pie (240 calories).

-> The Solution:

Is it possible to cope with the menace of Halloween candy without taking all the fun out of the holiday? Absolutely! If you?re looking for fast weight loss, and don?t want Halloween to bring your fat loss to a screeching halt, consider these healthy Halloween tips:

Walk with your kids while they?re trick-or-treating. A 165-lb. woman strolling along (walking slowly) for one hour will burn approximately 150 calories (source: caloriesperhour.com).
Out of sight, out of mind. When the kids have unloaded their stash, store it in an airtight container and put it in the cupboard. A bowl full of candy on the counter is an open invitation to have ?just one?, but a stockpile you can?t see is less tempting.
If you?re going to give out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween, don?t buy it until October 31st. Having a candy supply in the house before Halloween only entices you to have some early.
If you must buy candy before Halloween, buy a kind you don?t like. Again, this will reduce the temptation for you to dig in.
Hosting a Halloween party? Supply vegetables, healthy dips, and low fat snacking alternatives instead of candy.
Set a Halloween candy deadline by which all Halloween candy must be either consumed (by the kids) or it will be thrown away. Saving that candy for weeks, or even months, only keeps temptation in the house.
Put more emphasis on dressing up in a great costume, and less on candy. This is especially true for the kids, who often view Halloween as a candy free-for-all dream come true.
By hosting a party on Halloween night, you can control the menu and have fun with friends at the same time.
Focus on Halloween activities other than eating. There are lots of options available, from hayrides to haunted houses to bonfires.
Candy has a long shelf life, and there?s no reason why you couldn?t put some of it in airtight bags and store it in the freezer. Allow the kids to take out one bag every two weeks until it?s gone. This tactic will at least space out the temptation and minimize candy binge eating.

Of course, the absolute best way to avoid weight gain, and perhaps even achieve some easy weight loss, during the Halloween season is to bump up the amount of exercise you?re getting. There?s no better way to lose weight fast than a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Make sure the workout you?re doing includes both aerobic and resistance training, as it is critical to get both types of exercise to maximize weight loss. It?s also important to exercise for at least thirty minutes, three times per week, which is the most recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (source: cdc.gov).

A fantastic strategy is to find the best weight loss program for you now, before Halloween hits. The reason is that the last three months of the year are packed with holidays, special dinners and seasonal treats. Starting with Halloween candy and ending with Christmas fudge, many people find that they?re packing on more pounds during this period than they do any other time of year.

Joining a gym is an excellent way to combat Halloween and holiday weight gain. Finding a good gym to join now will not only help keep off those holiday pounds, but will even make you slimmer by New Years.

For more free weight loss information and weight loss tips, go to www.letspickupthepace.com and click on the ?Articles? link.

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: www.letspickupthepace.com.

* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on www.letspickupthepace.com should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

About The Author

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

info@letspickupthepace.com

Lose the Excuses to Lose that Weight

Lose the Excuses to Lose that Weight

by: Janice Elizabeth Small

The opportunities to overeat are everywhere these days. Someone is always bringing cakes into work to celebrate their birthday, their promotion or their escape. Then there are all the family parties and other social occasions you enjoy (or have to attend). And these days even if you're not in company there's food to tempt you everywhere you go. Fast food places are sprouting up on every corner and supermarkets greet you with the smell of baking as you walk in the door. So it's undeniable that it's harder than ever to avoid tempting food.

Yet we find excuses to eat too much all too readily, saying "I really shouldn't" all the while grabbing the piece of chocolate cake on offer.

If you've ever been on a diet and not reached your target weight, you probably had excuse-making down to a fine art. After all there's a ready-made excuse for eating in any set of circumstances if you...

Lose the Excuses to Lose that Weight

Candy > Lose the Excuses to Lose that Weight

Halloween Family Tips and Advice

Halloween Family Tips and Advice

by: Alma De la Cruz

Adults, parents and their children cherish Halloween so much that some of them even devote their energy a couple months in advance just to make sure they get the most popular costumes, and to organize the best parties.

Halloween is set in the Gregorian calendar every October 31 and is one of the most anticipated holidays for children in which they can get their favorite appetizer: candy. During Halloween, children wear costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhood, knocking on doors or ringing doorbells while yelling "trick or treat!" The inhabitants of the house, some times dressed up in scary costumes, will then hand out small candies, miniature chocolate bars or other treats.

That reminds me of an episode of the mysterious but still funny detective TV show Monk when his new assistant was closing in on a murderer who tried to poison his wife through a Halloween chocolate bar...

Halloween Family Tips and Advice

Candy > Halloween Family Tips and Advice

Don't Let Your Preschooler Get You Down

by: Nicky Vanvalkenburgh

Have you ever seen parents discipline their children in public? I recently saw a mother spank her child at the bank. Unfortunately, the mother was treating her little girl like a punching bag.

The child was probably five or six years old, and was intrigued by the bank?s ?Take one!? brochures. When the child took one, her mother slapped her hand. The girl began crying. She received another slap. ?You be quiet!? the mother growled. The child sat down on the bank?s sofa. She crossed her legs, Indian style. Oops, her feet touched the sofa. Whack! By the time they marched out of the bank, that mother had slapped her child at least 20 times.

Was that necessary? I don?t think so. Children often make mistakes because they?re immature or don?t know better.
They?re kids, and they?re not as sophisticated as adults. They?re also creatures of wonder and awe.

I can?t remember...

Don't Let Your Preschooler Get You Down

Candy > Don't Let Your Preschooler Get You Down

Burberry Handbags -Information When Shopping for Burberry Handbags

Burberry Handbags -Information When Shopping for Burberry Handbags

by: Joseph Wunsch

Burberry, maker of the classic trench coat and plaid scarf, has transformed itself into one of the hottest brands in fashion today making Burberry Handbags. The Burberry Handbag is a mainstay of high fashion, so much so many companies have started making replica Burberry handbags.

Burberry was founded in 1856 by 21 year old Thomas Burberry a apprentice to a country draper in England. He started by opening a outfitters shop. Originally known as an outdoor wear manufacturer, Burberry invented Gabardine which is a breathable, waterproof fabric that is made by waterproofing the yarn prior to weaving. This was patented in 1888. Most of the original line was directed towards outerwear and military uniforms. In 1901 the familiar Burberry Equestrian Knight was developed and registered as a trademark. In the 1920's the Burberry Check which had been used as a lining for...

Burberry Handbags -Information When Shopping for Burberry Handbags

Candy > Burberry Handbags -Information When Shopping for Burberry Handbags

Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties

Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties

by: Criss White

One of the biggest challenges for planning a baby shower or any other party is picking the right food. Appetizers and snacks are great for all types of parties, big and small. Here are some delicious appetizer ideas that you can make yourself or buy for your party:

1) Stuffed Mushrooms - Stuffed mushrooms are a tasty treat for any party. Larger mushroom caps of course are better and you can be creative with your stuffing choices. Some popular ingredient choices are cheese, bacon, and breadcrumbs.

2) Cheese and Crackers - Cheese and crackers are a simple snack idea for any party. This snack is also great for health conscious people. For upscale occasions, cheese logs or gourmet cheese balls can be used.

3) Fruit Platter - Another healthy and simple idea is fruit salad or a fruit platter. These platters can contain canned fruits, fresh fruits, or a mix of both. Some...

Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties

Candy > Great Appetizers for Baby Showers and Other Parties

Watch Your Weight This Halloween