Keep those Pounds at Bay!
Keep it Positive
Words like "avoid" or "off-limits" lead you to a sense of failure when you break the rules. And honestly, when we make those rules, we will eventually break them. That's part of what makes losing weight so tough, and you don't want to make it any harder than it is, right?
Sunday "Smart Swap!": Breakfast Bargain
Swap a cinnamon raisin bagel for two mini cinnamon bagels to save 181 calories. (Not only does this swap cut calories, the increased volume of food will make you feel like you're actually eating more.)
Veg Out!

Looking for one more reason to add more veggies to your diet? People who consume a large amount of vegetables lose 25% more weight than people who simply cut fat from their daily diets, according to research.
Related Reading: Add Healthy Foods to Your Diet
Image: Clipart.com
"TV Dinners" Help Us Trim-Down
Related Reading: Ways to Prevent Overeating
Happy Halloween!
"Click This!": Laura's Halloween Candy Countdown
Maybe you're also retrieving that special swimming pool-sized orange bowl you bought expressly for said candy.
And then, practicing so much self-control, you resist sampling as you tear open that first bag and start to pour... but oh, who could have anticipated how yummy that much chocoate smells... even when it's still in the wrapper.
Just a few pieces couldn't hurt, right?
In case you have any doubt about how quickly those "harmless" calories add up (Trust me, that's the scariest part of Halloween!), take look at the figures in black and white with this recent piece from low carb diets Guide, Laura:
Halloween "Smart Swaps!"
In the meantime .. I've done a little math and figured out which treats will be the smartest swaps among my favorite fare so far:
If I grab two Tootsie Rolls Midgies from my friend's desk at work instead of that snack-size Hershey bar in my purse, I'll save myself 30 calories and still get that chocolate-y thrill.
I must have a chocolate/peanut butter fix. If I indulge in two peanut butter Kisses instead of a Fun Size Butterfinger, I'll save 36 calories.
If I nab two of my Mom's favorite, Rolos, from her trick-or-treat stash instead of my favorite Fun Size M&Ms, I'll save 45 calories.
What are your favorite "smart swaps" to save calories while enjoying Halloween candy? Share them in the comments section!
The Trick to Diet-Friendly Treats...
Thanks to About.com's Calorie Count, I've identified a selection of sugar-fixes that add up to 100 calories or less. So, whether it's All Hallow's Eve or any old day, these twelve treats will give your sweet tooth a thrill while keeping your calorie count in check:
- Candy Corn, Brach's, 13 pieces
- Almond Joy, Snack Size
- Reese's Pieces, 10
- Jolly Rancher, 3 pieces
- Brach's Butterscotch Discs, 3
- Gummi Bears, 11
- Werther's Original, 3
- Milk Maid Caramels, 2
- Good & Plenty, 1/2 box
- Circus Peanuts, 3
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, 1
- Snickers, Fun Size
Exercise to Eat Less

Want to nosh less? Tie on your walking shoes and pick up some dumbells.
Research has found that people who combine both aerobic exercise and weight-training regularly eat less overall than others. Those who do aerobics only typically eat less fat, but the researchers found no difference in consumption level of other food types. Those who only lifted weights didn't reduce the amount of food at all.
The key, suggests the research, is that the combination of both types of exercise may alter your metabolism to help you feel fuller and thereby eat less of everything.
Related Reading: Benefits of Physical Activity
Photo: © Jupiterimages Corporation

