Hitch Fit Living Magazine Volume 2 - September/October 2015 | Page 28

Picture this. Halloween has come and gone, maybe you didn't have as many trick-or-treaters as
planned, or your kids hit the jackpot with piles of sugary sweets. They are so tempting, just sitting
there staring you in the face each day. Just 1..2..3...little pieces won't hurt? Or will it? When
Halloween is over, it’s time to remove all of these unnecessary temptations from your home. That’s
right, I said it, get rid of the remaining tricks and treats or they may sabotage you in your fitness
quest!
This can be a tricky time of year for those who are looking to make some healthy behavioral changes,
shed some pounds of fat and be fit. For the months leading into the holiday, every grocery store, gas
station and convenient center is stock-piled with tantalizing treats in brightly colored packages calling
out your name. I'm not against having a sweet treat in moderation when you are maintaining a
balanced healthy lifestyle, there is of course room for treats! However, the more common trend is
over-indulgence, not moderation, during this spooky season.
The problem with a candy-centered holiday is that it makes people think they have a free pass to
indulge on as much candy as they want to, and it doesn’t end when the ghosts and goblins stop
knocking on the door. I know in my house growing up, the bucket loaded with all the leftover goodies
stayed on the dining room table for a good month or so. With these little sweets being individually
wrapped it seems harmless to just have a few each day, right? Wrong! Each of these little candies can
easily pack in 80 to 100 calories or more in one bite. The calories and fat that you consume can add
up very quickly, so beware! Don’t be fooled by treats that are “fat free” either, these typically are
going to be filled with sugar which can easily store as fat in your body.
When you have treats hanging around your house you are asking for trouble. Since so many of us
struggle with stress eating, emotional eating, or eating whatever is in sight because we have gone for
hours on end without fueling our bodies, it is important not to have items around that are going to
cause you to stumble and make an unhealthy choice in a moment of weakness.