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Get Fit: Don't Get Tricked by Weight Gain this Halloween Season

A local nutritionist tells us how to maintain our weight goals and stay fit through the busy fall holiday season.

The bathing suits, shorts and tank tops are mostly packed away. We're into the season of jeans and comfy sweaters. Bulkier clothing though, doesn't have to mean hiding a few extra pounds.

The Halloween candy is all around us, the goodie-filled Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will be here before we know it, and the fall calendar is filled with our family’s activities, parties and chores. There's no reason, though, why we can't continue to eat right, maintain our ideal weight, and keep up regular exercise and activity.

Lynn W. Nichols, RD, LDN, CDE is a registered dietician atNutrition Center. She offers some practical advice for us so we don’t get spooked the next time we get on the scale.

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Plan Ahead

"The key to any event at any time is planning. This will help you to enjoy the season without fear of overindulging. Be mindful of what, and how much you’re eating," Nichols says.

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Pick Your Poison

"Depriving yourself only leads to disaster. Small amounts eaten slowly and infrequently work much better. You need to be very selective when choosing your treats, and make sure you choose ones you like best," Nichols suggests.

"Trick" Yourself

"On Halloween, hand out candy you don’t like," Nichols says. "Don’t worry, the kids will love it and you won’t be tempted to eat it before, during or after Halloween."

"Tricks" of the Trade

"For children, I recommend allowing them to pick a certain number of their favorites, then trade the remaining for a special treat, like a movie, a book, or a small toy. This leads to a win-win situation, they still get candy, and you know they’re not overdoing it," Nichols suggests.

Throw a Party

"In some situations, throwing a party instead of trick-or-treating gives you much more control over what and how much the children consume. It also allows for activities and games, therefore burning calories," Nichols explains.

Stay Active

"Continue with some type of daily activity. Some fun ways to keep moving include raking leaves, playing flag football or a game of catch, taking a quick nature walk, or having a scavenger hunt," Nichols says.

 

Be sure to check back with Media Patch’s "Get Fit" for more tips from Nichols on not overdoing it through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

 

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