Weight Loss Surgery Living – Halloween Tips and Treats

I’m in my sixth year since my lap band surgery.  It’s late October; here in New England the Spookfests and haunted hayrides abound, the leaves are turning a full array of beautiful hues, the days are getting shorter, there is a new chill in the air and that means the holiday eating season is upon us.  In years past, I’ve blogged about Halloween challenges including the emotional turmoil of being an obese child in a Halloween costume.  This year as Halloween approaches, I realize that it is less of a big deal for me.  The key for me is planning.  For the first time that I can remember, we didn’t wait until the last minute to get the kid’s costumes.  The only thing that I’ve put off to the last minute is buying Halloween candy.

Planning is my theme for kicking off the holiday season this year.  There is a reason Sandi and I focused on planning as one of the Lessons of Successful Lap Band patients.  Planning keeps me on track and gives me a sense of comfort, calm and control.  Planning helps keep my hand out of the candy bowl!

This week I scoured the internet for tips to stay on track during Halloween.  I found a few articles with great tips and treat ideas.  Here are a few that really rang true to me:

• 10 Tricks to Avoid the Halloween Treats from Sparkpeople
• 10 Tips to Avoid Halloween Candy Temptations from WebMD
• Halloween Eats: No Tricks, Just Treats from eDiets
• The Diet Detective: 10 Halloween Tricks and Treats

Some of my favorite tips from these articles can work well for me throughout the holiday season:

• Wait until the last minute to buy treats
• Donate, or giveaway the treats after the holiday (AKA, get as much as possible out of the house)
• Don’t go trick-or-treating hungry (or to a party, or…)
• Chew gum (not appropriate for some WLS patients)
• Substitute health(ier) and low(er) calorie choices (good for me and helps teach my kids about choices)
• Celebrate with activities that are not just about eating – carve a pumpkin, decorate, sing, get physical!
• Decide what to splurge on and make it conscious
• One day, or one meal, or one treat doesn’t have to start a bad cycle. 

Just taking the time to write the blog is part of my planning, and part of being accountable.  What’s your plan to get through the holiday season?  Please share your tips and treats.