How to Avoid Gaining Weight This Halloween!
Halloween will be here before we know it and, for many of us, the scariest part will be all the candy that’s sure to show up in our homes! Too much candy can mean sugar crashes, upset stomachs, and gaining weight. While we may not be able to change the holiday, we can make lifestyle changes that help us stay healthy despite the temptation. Read on for our tips on how to avoid gaining weight this Halloween!
Stick to Your Healthy Habits
The best way to avoid gaining weight year-round is to adopt healthy habits and stick to them. After all, consistency is key when it comes to living well and losing weight! That’s why it’s so critical to avoid overindulging on sweets, even on special occasions like Halloween. It’s best to keep eating properly portioned meals at regular times – our bodies are accustomed to our regular behaviors and will thank us for doing so by fighting illness, feeling great, and helping us keep weight off.
Limit Temptations
No matter how much we plan ahead, sometimes temptations can worm their way into our lives – no matter how vigilant we try to be, who among us hasn’t snacked on candy we bought for trick-or-treaters?
Luckily, we can help ourselves stick to our routines! If you suffer from a sweet tooth, it’s best not to purchase too much candy. That way, the trick-or-treaters will get the spoils without any leftovers for your household. Better yet, wait to pick up the candy towards the end of the month, then store it out of sight. The less time you have it – and the less you see it – the easier it is to forget it’s even there at all.
If you still find yourself craving candy after following these tips, then don’t buy candy you like. Do you hate coconut? Give out Almond Joys this year. Everyone will still enjoy the treat, but you’ll be glad to know that you won’t be giving into any temptation.
Try Healthy Substitutes
It can be difficult knowing that others are enjoying sweet treats when you’re trying to eat well, but there are better options out there! Too much sugar will inevitably cause crashes and upset stomachs, so fruit is a wonderful, natural alternative. It will satisfy your sweet tooth without draining your energy or promoting weight gain.
If you’re still in the mood for desserts, make a healthier version! There are plenty of healthy substitutions for classic recipes like cookies and pies which use flavorful ingredients like Greek yogurt, coconut flour, and fruit. Or you can skip the middle man and have a little dark chocolate. It takes care of your desire for sweets, has some health benefits, and can get you in the Halloween spirit. Just be sure to remember: a little goes a long way!
Practice Self-Awareness
When food catches your eye during Halloween festivities – or anytime for that matter – a great habit is to start asking yourself, “Am I really hungry? Or am I bored?” Many of us are guilty of absentmindedly snacking when there’s nothing else to do. It’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve eaten if you’re distracted while you do it! You can counteract this by deciding whether you’re actually hungry and, if so, by taking a small portion, instead of keeping container by you.
Additionally, many people can mistake thirst for hunger, leading us to eat more than we really want or need to! By drinking more water throughout the day and before we start to eat, we can help ensure that we’re only addressing our hunger when we’re really hungry!
Seek Out Your Support System
It’s just a fact of life – it’s easier to tackle problems when we work together. That’s why we encourage everyone to establish their own support system to help them reach their goals! Especially around the holidays, having someone who will hold you accountable can help you stick to your plans. If you’re trying to avoid any fried foods or want to cut back on desserts, tell someone you trust; not only are you more likely to abide by your self-imposed guidelines, they can help steer you back on your path if you start to struggle.
Look into Weight-Loss Surgery
No matter the season, making changes for a healthy lifestyle is the best way to increase your quality of life – and there’s no better way to do that and lose weight than by choosing bariatric surgery! These procedures help patients lose weight while establishing new habits that help keep the weight off and even resolve weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. There are tons of proven benefits, including (but not limited to):
- Decreasing the size of the stomach, helping patients eat less and lose weight
- Hormonal changes, lessening hunger pains and resetting metabolism
- An expert team of surgeons, psychologists, and nutritionists fully committed to your success
COME TO NYBG.
When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:
- 10 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
- 15,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- 24/7 access to online seminars
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
- Since 2000, we boast 18 years of success!
Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today.
