Posted by Amy Kistler, Certified Personal Trainer at Athlon Elite

Yes, it is Halloween and candy is everywhere.  Just because you decided to get bags of those small candy bars doesn’t mean you tricked yourself into eating any less than a whole candy bar. At an average of about 100 calories a pop, these popular fun-size treats can really add up quickly!

The bars that hide the most calories are those that contain peanut butter, coconut, chocolate, caramel, and nuts, say’s Registered Dietitian Sarah Haan.

Hmmmm, that pretty much sounds like ALL OF THEM!!!

When these "insulin poppers" are present and you’re anything like me… you find yourself saying, "just one more, or one extra won’t hurt, or my kids aren’t going to eat all of these."

Well, don’t do it.  These babies will sabotage your fitness goals (and health in general) so fast and will completely frustrate you and your efforts toward that lean, thin, sexy body… as well as…

Just don’t do it!  Read the fun-sized candy labels before throwing out the wrapper so you’re not just eating them blindly; first, these calories count…

Example:
Two Mini-Snickers
90cals
4g Fat
12g sugar

It would take about 40 minutes of brisk walking just to burn off the two tiny candy bars.  Is it worth it??!  As they say… "a moment on the lips, a life-time on the hips!"

 Secondly, these little corn syrup nightmares will:

  • cause energy spikes and dips,
  • increase your chances of diabetes and metabolic diseases
  • rot your teeth
  • decrease your bone density and muscle performance due to increased acidity in your body
  • make you even hungrier
  • distract you from getting your work done because you keep being pulled toward the candy dish, over and over and over again
  • waste your money (on the candy and the medical/fitness services you’ll have to spend extra on because of the above reasons
  • etc., etc., etc.!

Artichoke Dip with Carrot Fingers (carrot sticks with almond slivers)

Take time this Halloween to be aware of what you are putting into your body and come up with some better alternatives.  Like:

Drinks

  • Spooky Fruit Spritzer (a touch of fruit juice in sparkling water with floating blueberries or black grapes… or plastic spiders frozen in ice-cubes!)
  • Tomato juice with "carrot fingers" (see above)

Main Dishes Fit for a Monster

  • Monster meatballs (find a recipe without sugary sauces)
  • Monster vomit (Chicken or Egg Salad in small bibb/endive leaves)

Spooky Sides  (children are not for the faint of heart or stomach)

  • Veggies & Monster Snot (guacamole)
  • Eyeballs (olives)
  • Monster fingers (see above) and artichoke dip

Treats

  • Keep it to dark chocolate
  • Trail mixes
  • Fruit related snacks like fruit leathers, raisins or real fruit roll-ups

Consider dollar store items to help decorate and make the "healthy" food fun for the kids.  Fill ‘em up on this stuff first then set them loose on the neighborhood if you must.

And for you…

Well if you do decide to indulge in the delicious chocolate…

come into Athlon Elite & LET US HELP YOU BURN IT OFF!!!

Here’s an example of a "Spooky Halloween Workout" that I guarantee will BURN it off.

 The Freaky Fat Loss Workout
(do Saturday morning before Halloween indulgences)

Perform each of the below exercises 8 times for :20 seconds on, then :10 seconds rest:

  • Box jumps or body weight squats

  • Sit-ups

  • Lateral Lunges

  • Push-ups

Then go for a 20 minute moderate-paced walk or jog

 Work hard and have some fun!!!

 Click here for a private fitness & nutrition consultation with an Athlon Elite Lead Trainer