Shrink and Boo!!!: Don’t Be Scared—Do the Math™

Halloween is the beginning of the holiday season, and candy is everywhere we turn. “You better watch out” is a favorite Christmas lyric line you may want to apply beginning this week in order to keep your focus on healthy living.
In this video, psychologist Pat Arean and I talk about planning for a joyful, yet healthy Halloween. Watch the devil and Wavy Gravy discuss how to have a great time celebrating Halloween while being mindful about how to focus beyond the sweets.

Decide how often you and your children (if you have them) will get a piece of candy. Maybe you’ll have a number per day after dinner or when homework is done after school.
Who would have thought Halloween could be an opportunity to teach your kids about math and altruism? Listen as Pat describes the games they play with candy at her house.
Don’t let Halloween derail your weight loss efforts. Keep your eye on your goals at all times. Decide way before October 31 how you’ll dress up and enjoy this silly (in a good way) holiday. Get creative; plan your treats, and when its time, donate, or trade in the rest.
When it comes to healthy living, the trick is to unmask excessive treats for what they really are.

Say Boo, but not Boo hoo this Halloween!

Have a happy and healthy Halloween.

-Ellen
Ellen Resnick is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco and Redwood City, California. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates the use of mindfulness into the treatment of depression, anxiety, and emotional overeating. She runs a holistic weight loss program called Center for Thoughtful Weight Loss, www.thoughtfulweightloss.com. You can email Ellen at ellen@thoughtfulweightloss.com and follow her on Twitter at @thoughtfullellen.
Copyright © 2011 Ellen N. Resnick, LCSW