Prepare For Battle

If your office is big on holiday celebrations, tomorrow will probably be a challenge for you. Plan now how you're going to deal with the inevitable Halloween sweets that will be crossing your path.

While you're in front of the mirror getting ready for work in the morning, have a talk with yourself. Remind yourself of the reasons you want to lose weight and how great you feel on days you've stayed on your eating plan (and how bad you feel on days you don't). Have a filling breakfast with lots of protein so it will stay with you.

Take fruit and veggie sticks with you the office to munch on when you feel temptation to dive into the candy bowl. Plan on having a bottle of water or hot drink in front of you most of the day, and have sugarless gum available, too.

Ask that the candy bowl or treat tray be moved far away from your desk. If the temptation gets too strong, take a walking break. It will allow you to clear your head and engage in some encouraging self-talk. Or if it's a full blown party, make an excuse to get away from the party for awhile -- check email, go to the ladies room (to have yet another one of those self-talks), or make a phone call -- anything to get away from the food.

If you do decide to indulge, compensate with a light lunch and dinner. It wouldn't hurt to throw in an extra exercise session, too.

And, finally, re-evaluate what "Treat" means in terms of Halloween now that you're an adult. Friendship, fun, and laughter are far more valuable and lasting than sugar-filled, mass produced candy. Concentrate on people, not food.