Can't. Stop. Eating. Candy.

I sent this in an email to my list the day after Halloween and so many women wrote me back to say how much it helped so I wanted to share it here too:

So last night I was surrounded by piles of Halloween candy waiting for my doorbell to ring.

My kids are grown and my partner was out so it was just me, the dogs, the candy and an occasional visit from a trick-or-treater.

I got to thinking about how complicated the next few days will be for so many people because leftover Halloween candy will be friggin' everywhere.

So here are 5 quick tips to keep you where you want to be in regards to Halloween candy:

1) Stay nourished and hydrated: If you are walking around hungry or thirsty and someone offers you a Snickers bar or if the work break room is an obstacle course of Reeses, spider cupcakes and candy corn, you'll have trouble checking out of your thoughts (head hunger) and in with your body (physical hunger) to see if you really want/need the candy.

2) Whatever you eat - eat it mindfully: Stay present with what you eat. Whether it be kale, a burger, or a few Kit Kat bars -- stay in the moment. Bite by bite. You might realize that the candy you loved as a kid isn't so good when you really focus on it. This happened to me last night when I had some red licorice. After just one bite into the plastic texture and lame cherry flavoring, I was like "um no thanks!". I had a mini-Hersheys instead and it was ok!

3) Ride the craving: When sugary foods are all around us, cravings can be at an all-time high. If you are not hungry, ask yourself the 4 really's: "do I really, really, really, really want this?" If the answer is yes then enjoy it mindfully. If your level is less than 4, see if the craving is temporary. Distract yourself for 5 - 20 minutes. The craving might subside.

4) Don't label food as "good" or "bad": Stay out of all-or-nothing thinking by avoiding labeling candy as "junk" "bad" "fattening" "unhealthy". This just makes you want the forbidden food even more! Instead, acknowledge that candy is just another source of food. And if you want it, you'll have it! Rather than labeling it, the important thing to focus on is how it makes your body feel after eating it. Does it feel good? Does it hurt your stomach? Do you have a headache? Are you now obsessed with having more? Use the answers to these questions to decide if eating candy is really worth it to you.

5) What to do if you eat too much: If you end up eating more candy that you wish you did (for whatever reason) proceed as normal and the next time you are hungry, give your body what it needs. Be cautious not to restrict your calories to "make up" or punish yourself for the candy you ate. This will just set you up for a binge eating cycle. Instead, just move on, without judgment.

I hope these tips are helpful!

Love,
Kaylee