As I shut down the computer after drafting this blog I unwrapped a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. 'Hypocrite" I thought. But I ate it anyway realizing that I only indulge in my Reese's addiction once a year at Halloween. That's the reason why I waited until the day before Halloween to buy them. I know I am weak in the face of the peanut butter and chocolate combination. I washed my Reese's down with low fat milk followed by a tall glass on wtaer. Today I had a fruit and nut bar and an apple so far. The Reese's didn't 'do me in' and I did not fall off the healthy diet wagon forever after my little indulgence. Whew! Healthy diet is the staple and candy is the occasional treat. At least that's how it ought to be in real life right? 

Are you always on a ‘diet’ but never lose weight, or put any weight you lost right back on as soon as you resume your regular eating habits?

Nutrition and diet are a way of life, and it is what you do long-term, and on a usual basis that impacts your health and your weight.

Our bodies require balanced nutrition to provide our cells with vitamins and minerals, healthy amounts of healthy fats, (fat is high in calories), carbohydrates and energy, and essential building blocks (amino acids which we get from protein). When we get enough nutrients our metabolism and immune systems function better and we have energy to carry us through the day- a day which should include some physical activity.

Physical activity builds muscle, strengthens the cardiovascular system and burns calories.

The bottom line for successful weight loss is this basic formula: calories out > calories in. If we eat more calories than we need then the result is weight gain. We create a ‘deficit’ of calories by decreasing our intake by eating smaller portions and more low calorie foods (I.e., fruits and veggies), and increasing the body’s demand for energy with physical activity and exercise. There are lots of diet books on the market. Some books have good recipe ideas and sensible advice and others offer quick fixes.  The best diet is the one that includes a balance of nutritious, wholesome foods in moderation.

So today it's lots of water, fruits and veggies. Then after my little one finishes Trick-or-Treating I will CHECK his candy for him to make sure it is safe for him to eat. He figured it out a long time ago that Reese's are safe to eat, but they always wind up in a separate pile near mom and never make it back into his candy bag.

I saw the "buy one get one free" sale on Reese's PB cups (my favorite) and figured I should stock up early for Halloween. Bad move. I justified the extra calories because the night before I ran my tail off at my nursing job. Yeah right! No excuse. So, I drank some extra water, squeezed a little lemon in for good measure, and ate a big salad to keep things moving along, if you know what I mean. The power walk in the chilly autumn air with golden leaves flying by hardly felt like a penance for a childish binge. It was delightful!

Next year I don't care if I have to pay extra to buy candy on the 31st, or if I have to give cash to Trick or Treaters. This is one case where being an early bird will not benefit me.

If I am to practice what I preach, and write, and blog, I need to catch myself in the act.
( I have a special relationsip with chocolate, especially chocolate with peanut butter in the middle.) Everything in moderation, I tell myself. So, while at a pumpkin farm today, I  bought only enough apple cider donuts for each member of the household, instead of a dozen. I was not being cheap- I was fighting off gluttony!

Treats are great... in moderation. I am not trying to be Debbie Downer (wamp wamp), but  I guess I should point out the obvious: Too much sugar can lead to diabletes, and too much trans fat can clog the arteries. It's more than just weight gain, especially at 50.
40 is the new 30, 50 is the new 40, blah blah blah. Tell that to my knees and my arteries (wamp wamp).

So here I give myself some of my own professional advice: Eating lean, healthy foods this time of year helps to provide us with nutrients to help our immune systems fight off illness during cold and flu season. I'm sold.