Conference rocks::weight_control

I have no idea what we'll be doing this year; last year we were on vacation!

I kind of doubt we'll have any trick-or-treaters where we live, but in the past
I've dealt with having candy for the kids by buying something I don't like!! :-)

Jill

    Note only buy what you don't like, but store it in the freezer in
    a covered container/paper bag that you can't see through.  Better
    yet, have someone else put it in the freezer.  I have a small separate
    freezer, so it's easy to "bury" the goodies in there.

    Don't buy anything until the day of Halloween and like Jill says
    buy something you don't like.  I think you will probably not have
    to buy much either because less and less kids are allowed to go
    trick or treating.
    
    If you get invited to a halloween party bring a veggie and dip
    tray and eat that.  The more chips you eat....the more you want
    and that can be a scary thought the next day.
    
                                               - Sue

    Ah yes, Halloween, or as my wife calls it, "candy corn season".
    
    re .3: Excellent advice about not buying the candy for the trick
    or treaters until Halloween day.  If you buy it too early, you WILL
    have to buy it again...
    
    If you want to give alternate treats like popcorn, apples, etc.,
    but are concerned about whether parents would let their children
    eat it, put your treats in a bag and stick a return address label
    on the bag.  That way, the parents know where the treat came from
    and wouldn't be hesitant about letting their children have it.
    
    Party hint: find out what the menu is going to be ahead of time
    if possible, and plan accordingly.  For example, if you find out
    that spaghetti and meatballs will be served, go easy on the bread
    exchanges that day, and save a few protien exchanges also.  That
    way, you can have a helping, not feel deprived, and stay on program.
    
    Yes, I am going to a costume party this year.  It's a Wizard of
    Oz party, in which everyone is assigned a character and comes dressed
    as the character.  I'll be the lion.  Most bizarre costume I ever
    wore was two years ago, when my wife and I went as a football player
    and a cheerleader.  She was the football player... ;-) 
    
    
    PY

               Oh drat!   I wish I would have read this notefile and
          reponses before I went out and bought all my halloween candy.
          Because sure enough, I've almost ATE ALL OF IT!!
    
                   Sign Me 
                          Too Late For Good Advice
                           
    
    Chris..
    

    
    I think it is too bad that the stores put the candy out so 
    early.  They want our money and we see those little goodies
    in those cute little bags and say well the little one's won't
    matter.. If you can have one and sit down and enjoy it but 
    how many of you out there can????????????????????
    I don't think I've seen many tricks as I have treats..
    
    Don't feel bad Chris,  good luck to you the rest of the month.
    I will need it too...
    
    
    The ghost are out to get us !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    Candy corn Holiday 
    
    
    

Another thing to think about during Halloween candy season (which must have
started in September some time :-)) is that there is candy in the stores ALL
the time to resist.  Halloween really isn't that special.  You can even get
candy corn year-round.  I should know, I bought a bag of candy corn plus those
other orange, yellow, and brown shapes that taste the same way several months
ago.  I ate half the bag on the way home;  now I feel sick whenever I think of
candy corn!  Plus, if I'm going to spend the calories, I should get something
GOOD.

Now if I could only feel the same way about Easter candy...

Jill

    I for one will not have candy in the house because once it is in
    my house, the next stop is my hips!  I go to a "party shop" near
    my house and get small party favors.  This also allows me not to
    break the 11th commandment - Thou shalt not rot thy neighbors' kids
    teeth. 
    
    Marion

    One thing that is perfectly acceptable in Switzerland (we don't
    have Halloween, but other celebrations of the same type) is to give
    the children small coins ( 10, 20 or 50 cents ), tangerines and walnuts.
    
    We basically never give candy, so we are not tempted ourselves!
    
    Now talk to me about Christmas cookies ....
    
    Joana
                                   

    
    In the News Papers they tell mothers to throw away the apples
    and things like pop corn and things that aren't tightly wrapped.
    That part about putting your name and address on the bag but not
    everyone does.. 
    
    Yes there is candy all year round but there is candy staring
    at you every store you go ... because it is that Halloween
    time again..
    
    It's too bad stores can't but the candy out until the middle of
    Oct.... They would still sell it but the weight watchers 
    won't buy them so soon...
    
    
    Money is a good idea,,,
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    

    re .7:
    
    I think Jill has a valid point.  Perhaps we do tend to make too
    big a deal out of the food that accompanies special occasions.
    Sure, the candy may be more prominently displayed at this time of
    year, but I have yet to see a candy bar jump off of the shelf, put
    a gun to someone's head, and say "You will buy me!". 
    
    As for cashews, that's another story... ;-)
    
    
    PY

    Am I the only one who just goes to a movie for the 2-hour trick
    or treat time???  I mean, I can't see the point in buying candy,
    torturing ourselves by knowing it is in the house, handing it out
    to kids we don't know (& who may soap our windows anyway!) who then
    take it home to parents who won't let them eat it anyway!
    
    I grew up in a small (pop. 1200) town and respect tradition, and
    I imagine there was a time when the neighborhood kids came around
    and you tried to guess who they were, gave them warm cider & popcorn
    balls (can you hear the music rising in the background???) and it
    was more or less like the Waltons.  But when the kids come to your
    door wearing tags like "Hi, my name is Bryan, and if I'm lost I
    live at 12 E. Main" while their parent stands on the sidewalk waiting
    to take them to the next house where they will get apples they won't
    be allowed to eat....  I think it has lost something!

    Sorry for the rambling, but I prefer to save my holiday calorie
    allotment for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and don't have the guilt
    of spending lots of money on Snickers to give away - I don't know
    which is worse,though, spending money or giving away Snickers -
    or eating them myself, or contributing to neighbor kids' rotting
    teeth, or contributing to my neighbors' waistlines when they sneak
    the candy from the kids' baskets!

    I'm thinking of getting packs of stickers this year.  There
    are lots of quite nice ones around, and the children seem to
    enjoy them.  I'm hoping they won't get stuck on the wrong things,
    like walls and baby sisters, but at least I can't eat them!
    
    --Louise

    re .13:
    
    EXCELLENT suggestion!  Kids LOVE stickers!  On some occasions, my
    wife will use stickers as a prize or incentive for the children
    in her music classes, and the kids just eat it up (no pun intended).
    I think I may do the same thing myself...
    
    
    PY

    Thanks, Louise - now I won't feel like such a Scrooge, even if it
    is the wrong holiday!

    I always buy too much candy and since I have no children I end up
    eating it.  This year I will be in Hawaii, hopefully jogging or
    walking on the beach, snorkeling and swimming.  I even found a
    jazzercise class there.  I will try to keep the Blue Hawaians and
    Mai Tai's to a minimum--we'll see.
    

    
    
    It's not far off now.. All the candy in stores that I go
    to are on sale now...  It's funny but I look at all that
    candy and there is soooooooooo much that I end up leaving
    with nothing ,, not because I want to eat it all but it's 
    just tooooooo much..  
    
    I know alot of people are having parties at their homes for
    the children instead of the children going around to the
    houses...  I think that is safe and I think if kids stick 
    to the homes that they know too... but it is still good
    to check the candy...and treats..YOu never know where the
    strange people are..
    
    How are you all doing?? Did you have to go out and get more
    because you got the candy too early?
    
    We got gum so far this way I can't eat it.. and kids like it too..
    
    
    Happy HALLOWEEN!!  
    
    
    Booooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
    
    
    Ann
    
    

    It's STILL too early to buy your Halloween candy...
    
    Talk about stores stocking holiday paraphenalia far in advance,
    *three* department stores I was in yesterday already had Christmas
    stuff out!  Gimme a break!
    
    Turns out that I'm going to two Halloween parties next weekend. In
    by addition to next Saturday's "Wizard of Oz" party mentioned in .4, my
    wife and I are going to a party next Friday night at the home of a
    woman who takes violin lessons from the same teacher as my wife. Guess
    what costume my wife has asked me to resurrect for that one? If you
    can't guess, read the last couple sentences of .4...
    
    
    Paul                                                  

    Hey PY, why not wear it to work Friday and come over and see me?
    
    he, he, he......
    
    --L

    
    
    Watch out everyone I believe we have a strange lion walking around
    here and he's leaving trails of yellow paint.. from guess where?
    
    Yes it is Friday and I can't wait for Friday night and Saturday!!!
    
    I live for weekends!
    
    Follow the what road.. oh no that lion is in my office!!
    
    
    Have to goooooooooo...
    
    PY?  go to your office!!
    
    Guess who.
    
    
    

    re the last couple:
    
    Everyone's a comedian!!!  Har har har de har har!  :-)
    
    
    (Actually, this year won't be the first time I've worn a Wizard of
    Oz costume either.  My most pleasant childhood Halloween memory
    was the year my two brothers, my sister, and I won the first prize for
    best costumes at my Cub Scout Halloween party.  I was the scarecrow,
    my two brothers were the lion and tin man, and my sister was Dorothy.)
    
    
    Paul
     
    
    
    

re .18 (Paul Y.):

Good way to show off that nice new body of yours, huh? :-)

Jill

    Yeah, he's no longer PY squared....
    
    (or cubed?)
    
    sorry....

    I will be glad of one thing this Halloween.  It will be the first
    time my wife won't be able to pat my midsection and say "Wish I
    had a pumpkin...".  :-) :-)
    
    
    PY-38.5

    
    
    So all of you trick or treaters are we getting ready for
    those scarey parties we are having or going to?
    It will be on Saturday night so I can imagine how quiet 
    it will be Sunday morning!!  I hope the monsters don't
    go too crazy with the soaping of the cars and eggs tossed
    I think we can all have fun without all that...
    
    Lets all share after Halloween on how it went .. 
    We are having a costume contest at work.. That will be
    different...
    I also will be going to a party Saturday.. I better plan better
    this time...as this passed weekend I went to a baby shower and 
    showered me with the food.. It could have been worst!!
    
    Well don't get scared and have fun...
    
    Booooooooooooooooo!!
    
    Ann
    
    

    Found out last night the party I was supposed to attend Friday has
    been called off.  (The pom-poms will just have to wait another year.)
    But, the "Wizard of Oz" party scheduled for Saturday is still very
    much on...should be a good time!
    
    Paul

    
    GHEEEEEE That's too bad you won't be able to show off your
    pom poms.........  You will make a better king of the forest!
    
    No matter I am sure you will make a hit.. It will be nice to
    hear how it goes..  
    
    Will there be losts of food there?  And how are you planning on
    it ?  Just be careful I hope you don't get carried away now that
    you have lost all that weight...
    
    I will be going as Giggles the clown to mine On Saturday night.
    
    Have a good time!
    
    Ann better know as Debbie
    
    
    
    

    re .27:
    
    I attend parties with this group on a regular basis, so I know what
    will be served ahead of time.  I know that my wife usually makes
    quiche, another person makes chicken wings, someone else makes an
    antipasto, someone makes lasagna, etc.  I plan the rest of the day
    accordingly, have a good meal there without going overboard, allot
    myself one "treat" with the extra calories I now consume as part of
    maintenance, and lay low on the sweet and salty stuff the rest of the
    night.  No problem.  Last time I went to a party with this crew, I had
    a four pound loss that week!
    
    
    RRRRROOOOOAAARRR!
    
    
    Paul 

    
    I will be going to a party on Friday night and on Saturday
    night.. so I was wondering do you think I should eat a small
    meal before I get there or should I plan on it during the
    day.?  I don't know what will be served but I can guess
    what would be there...
    
    After this weekend it will be over but will it ?  That is when
    the Children have all the candy or we have candy left..
    I don't have children but what we all going to do with the left
    over candy?
    
    
    Witchy-boo
    
    Ann
    
    
    

    re .29:
    
    Anytime I have leftover "goodies" after hosting a party (pastry,
    candy, etc.), I bring them into work and leave them by the coffee area
    with a sign saying "Help Yourself".  It saves me the problem of
    having them around the house, and my coworkers who are not on
    weightloss programs are grateful.
    
    
    The Cowardly Lion (RRROOOAAARRR!)

    
    
    I Hope that you all have a happy and safe Halloween.
    Good luck, enjoy and don't get scared.  
                                           
    Most of all watch out for the treats.  That goes for me as well.
    
    I will be dying to hear from youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
    
    Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
    haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
    
    Ann
    
    
    

    
    Who did it go for all of you?  Did you have too many treats?
    I had a couple of small candy bars but I am not worried
    because I did fine during the week and I got on the scale and
    lost 6 pounds.  I sure could have had a lot more but didn't
    I had more fun seeing the children having fun.. 
    I got dressed up and made a few people laugh.  
    
    I won the Costume Contest at work.. I was a clown...My Giggles
    outfit...I did Toys for Tots.  I was a clown then.
    
    
    How did all of you do?  I hope you had fun at your parties..
    
    Now back to the real world..
    
    
    Ann

    Well, I didn't get the stickers - stores were all sold out by
    the time I had the idea.  I got little boxes of raisins, which
    seemed to go over like a lead balloon with the sugar-fiends
    and we only got 41 of them, leaving 7 boxes in the cupboard.
    But raisins are allowed - they're a fruit - and each 1 oz box
    contains only about 60 calories or so, so I don't mind having
    them around.  They don't tempt me too much anyhow, since we
    usually have raisins in the house and I put a few in my oatmeal
    every morning anyhow.
    
    I won 3rd prize at my gym for my bumblebee outfit.  A year ago
    I would not have even had the guts to wear it at home - imagine
    a stretchy yellow/black striped leotard with black sequens down
    the front for the belly, black sequened straps, a pair of shiny
    black tights, yellow socks, black sneaks, a yellow mask and gold
    antennae!  It was really wild.  Oh yes, the outfit had long black
    and yellow fringe hung from the waist in back - no stinger, though...
    
    --Louizzzzzzze the beeeeeeezzzzz

    Re to 132.33  You must have made a cute Bee.  I won the prize
    at work for my costume at work on Friday.   I was a clown 
    with Green bushy Hair and a Big red Noise that Squeeked.
    I have worn that outfit before for the TOYS for TOTS.
    
    I won a Gift Certificate for a Beauity Parlor, I think 
    they are trying to tell me something.
    
    
    I guess we missed our calling...
    
    
    Ann
    
    

             I don't remember who suggested it but instead of having
            all the trick-or -treat candy laying aroung the house to
            temp me, I brought most of the extra candy that I know my
            kids will not eat in to work and put it by the coffee 
            machine. Great idea whomever suggested it. Thanks.
    
    chris
    

    First of all, congrats to you Ann on your 6 pound loss this week!
    I know that it's been a struggle for you; glad to see that you're
    now getting some positive results.
    
    
    The "Wizard of OZ" party was a blast!  With the mane and tail provided
    by one of my wife's violin students, a yellow sweatsuit, gloves
    for "paws", and a few whiskers, I looked like a pretty credible
    "king of the forest".  My wife made a good winged monkey as well.
    Was amazed at how everyone at the party captured many of the details
    of the actual movie characters!  In particular, the "lullaby league"
    and "lollipop guild" at our party were spitting images of their
    movie counterparts.  
    
    Surprise surprise:  the woman who dressed as Dorothy announced that
    she would be expecting her first child in April!
    
    Plenty to eat and drink there, almost too much, but I ate lightly
    at breakfast and lunch that day, had a little something beforehand
    so wouldn't go there on an empty stomach, and kept things reasonably
    under control at the party.  After dinner, we all sat down to watch
    the video of -- you guessed it, the Wizard of Oz.  Good time was
    had by all.
    
    
    Paul

    It is amazing how I can think that I've handled something like Haloween
    and the I find out the truth.  I bought candy that I knew I wouldn't
    munch, and I bought enough for twice as many kids as last year.
    I knew I didn't like it and also know a person who loves it and
    can use the extra calories.
    
    Well the kid came pouring in and I gave them all, and my loose change,
    away by 7:00.  I didn't want to be home to refuse the kids so I
    went to the local mall planning to browze for an hour or so.  After
    handling the candy so well, I bought an ice cream and cookie.  
    
    I justified it by claiming optional calories; of course I did that
    the night before a Chopsticks too.  Well I didn't do too bad the
    rest of the week, tomorrow will tell the rest of the story come
    weigh in.
    
    Now how do we handle Thanksgiving?  
    
    -Joe Coyle

    
    Joe I feel you did good job and you made it through fine.
    I isn't easy for sure.  
    There is a file for Thanksgiving 135... they have some great
    ideas there..  We are all here for each other so I will
    wish you luck for THANKSGIVING. Like myself I am going to
    try not think so much of the food but then it's hard when
    you smell it all day.  I have a feeling you will do fine and
    if not don't get down just pick yourself up and smile and 
    keep going..
    
    
    We all care so lend us an ear if you need support!
    
    I will need it too...
    
    Ann
    
    

Halloween went fine for me.  We didn't buy any candy for the trick
or treaters, which was fine, since, as expected, we didn't have any!
(who would walk 1/4 mile for a tiny candy bar (besides us? :-))

Jill

Ann, how about if we think of it as every time we give away a
piece of candy, we're giving away some of our weight?

Liz    
    
    

    
    
    It's funny but I look over those tons of bags of candy and
    the Prices of them and I put them down...
    
                                       
    I never buy any...and I also think that I would not be helping
    the little ones either..can you think if some nice snacks 
    for children that we won't be tempet and yet they enjoy it ?
    
    
    Good Luck this weekend and weekend as there will be lots of
    parties...
    
    Happy Halloween
    
    
    Ann
    
    

    Hi Ann,
    
    Congratulations on your will-power (or won't-power!) when you see
    those bags of candy! 
    
    What if you were to pass out pennies, or nickels, to the kids? No
    fat, no cholesterol, and NO calories! ;-) And I think you'd probably
    spend less than if you bought lots of candy. *And* I remember when
    I was younger and went out trick-or-treating...my sister and I loved
    counting up the money almost as much as the candy! We never got
    MUCH, of course, but when you're little, it doesn't matter.
    
    Just my $.02 ... hahaha...
    
    -Amy.
    

    
    How about sugarless gum or little party-favor kind of toys.  If
    you don't get too many kids in your neighbor, you might pick up
    some coloring books or small packs of crayons.  Kids love that kind
    of stuff and it would certainly be different.  And the moms would
    really appreciate it!
    
    susan

    Another option, tho not an inexpensive one, is pags of peanuts
    (Planters came out with trick or Treat sizes) or the little boxes
    of raisins. or granola bars. or Mc Donald's coupons. etc etc
    
    Have a Happy...
    
    Linda B