It's that time of year again. Candy overload! This year I'm not going to let things get out of control.

1. I loaded up today on candy to give out to the many trick-or-treaters we have in this neighborhood, and I only bought candy that I don't like! So it's either going to be given away (at home or the office) or it's going in the trash. Next year, though, I think I might give away something other than candy, so that I'm not contributing to anyone else's weight problem. Any suggestions for alternatives?

2. I settled on one sweet treat that I'm allowing myself, and that's the pumpkin cheesecake that I am making for the first time this year. However, I'm planning to take most of that to the office as well.

3. On a non-candy related note, this year's costume is comfortable and form-fitting without being ridiculously sexy (so I'm not going to obsess about my cellulite all night) and without making me feel like a blimp (I was a pregnant redneck bride last year, and the inflatable stomach balloon made me feel huge all over!).

Any other tips for surviving the holiday?

My own plan:

1. Eat an early dinner before the trick or treaters come, and have dessert with it--but not from the candy bowl. Fresh fruit or a popsicle so I don't feel "cheated."

2. Be generous with the candy--we get a lot of trick or treaters.

3. When the evening is over, dump the remaining candy in the trash. The candy is inexpensive and mass produced. Eating it all myself is not a good strategy, and taking it to work would spoil someone else's diet.

On healthy treats:

One of our neighbors used to give out trailmix (in small, pre-packaged plastic containers, of course) when I was growing up. We kids loved it, and our parents appreciated that it was healthful and pre-packaged for safety.

Hmm, the trail mix is a good idea! Or maybe Chex Mix with some goldfish mixed in? At least that's not pure sugar! I'll have to count exactly how many kids come by this year (I bet we get between 100-200) so I know how many little bags to make next year.

It is going to be tough. Be strong and persevere!

On Halloween one lady was giving out these Halloween themed booklets that came with crayons. I loved it! I'm going to do that next year. It's different and the kids still have fun without rotting their teeth away! (or me being tempted by their candy... hehe)

Paranoia runs high around here, so home made treats for the kids is out. I was not home till after the trick or treaters had called it a night this year. So I got out of it the easy way.

For the candy brought to the office I combated with bringing a bag of small honey crisp apples with me. So if I was tempted I would have an apple. Not a prefect plan, but better than the refined sugar alternative.

You know things have changed when you consider plain yogurt with granola and a little bit of honey a great dessert. Oh how times have changed!

How did we all do?

A local dentist has a halloween treat 'buy back' program... I thought that was a pretty nifty way to get new clients.

I did pretty good. Ate only one piece of candy the night of, and gave away all the rest of it that I thought others at the office would want.

What I FORGOT to do was ask my husband not to bring home all the candy that his office gave him! His bosses gave out gift bags of candy at his place of work and he brought all this chocolate home! Aaag! I've trained him to hide the cookies he buys, but forgot to warn him about this.

I don't know if you can consider this advice because it goes against the rules of dieting. Halloween is only one night. Don't go and pig out on candy, but don't stop yourself from having any. Myself personally, the longer I try to control my craving from candy, the more candy I eat when I finally crack. I cheat my diet at least once a week. I make up for my cheating by making sure I get to the gym the next day to work off the candy. I work second shift from 3 to 11pm, and anyone that works that shift knows the hunger pain when you leave work. I had a big mac attack last week. I gained 2 pounds the next morning. I went to the gym and did my normal workout routine, and the 2 pounds that I gained disappeared. Don't make a habit of breaking your diet every day. Little setbacks won't hurt your diet as long as you can control them in the long run.