8 Fun and Healthy Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Season

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy. In fact, if you’re trying to slim down, it shouldn’t be about candy at all. This year, let it be about family fun. Here are eight healthy Halloween ideas to boost the holiday fun factor, most of which have zero calories!

1. Up your jack-o’-lantern game.

While triangle eyes and nose and fanged grin are the classic pumpkin carving go-to, keep your hands a little busier this year (and less likely to dip into the candy) with something a little more, well, spooktacular. Head to the internet to get some fun pumpkin carving Halloween ideas. Buy or download free pumpkin stencils that will make your jack-o’-lanterns the talk of the neighborhood. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create a spooky zombie face, a witch on a broomstick, a hooting owl or a Day of the Dead Mexican skull, even if you have zero artistic talent. Invest in a pumpkin carving kit that contains tools to make it easier. It’s so satisfying and fun, you may not stop!

2. Make a scary entrance.

There are some easy peasy ways to decorate your front porch or walkway to make Halloween an extra supernatural experience for trick-or-treaters. If you have a cast iron Dutch oven, add some dry ice to water which will turn it into a bubbling cauldron. Invest in some fake spider webs and spiders to cover shrubs or trees to greet visitors as they walk up to your door. You can even make spiders out of black balloons—small one for the head, larger one for the body, tied together, with black pipe cleaners for legs. Dangle them from your porch. Use a couple of bales of hay as an outdoor table if you want your trick or treaters to serve themselves. Use faux spider webbing as your “tablecloth,” and group your pumpkins, carved and otherwise, around the base. Don’t forget a few white plastic bag “ghosts” for good measure.

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3. Plan a bonfire.

With the arrival of chilly fall air, now may be the perfect time to invest in a little backyard firepit to cozy up next to on weekend evenings. You, your family and friends can gather to roast marshmallows (less than 100 calories for four regular sized marshmallows!) and tell your best scary ghost stories. It could become a family or neighborhood tradition.

4. Bob for apples.

This used to be the funniest party game before designers Chuck Foley and Neil Rabens invented Twister. Contestants would kneel in front of a large container of water filled with floating apples. The object of the game? Grab an apple . . . with your teeth! Try to do it without laughing (not possible) or getting wet (sooo not possible). Given the pandemic, it’s probably not appropriate for a general Halloween party, but it can be a hilarious family activity for those in your household. Don’t forget to eat the apples!

5. Talk to the hands.

A great (and delicious) activity to do with kids is to make spooky Halloween Popcorn Hands. All you need are four cups of air-popped or light popcorn, three disposable gloves (food contact gloves which contain no powder and are Latex free) and 15 candy corn pieces. Drop the candy corn into each finger of the gloves (yep, those are finger nails). Then stuff the popcorn into each finger and also fill up the glove. Tie the end of the gloves. These decorative treats count as two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

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6. Make some diet-friendly chocolate apples.

Everyone in the family will love these sweet treats. You’ll love the fact that you can easily make them Nutrisystem-friendly! Prepare chocolate caramel apples for the fam with our lightened-up recipe right here! >

7. Plan a scary movie night.

If you have an all-adult household, you can have a movie night and hold a “Halloween” marathon—the movie series, “Halloween” that is. Other top horror flicks according to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie rating site, include “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Ring,” “Candyman,” “Scream” and “House on Haunted Hill.” If you like a little humor with your scary, consider “Shaun of the Dead,” “Black Sheep” or “Tremors.” Some class acting? “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Shining” are standouts. Anything Stephen King. Kiddies on board? Think about “Frankenweenie,” “The Little Vampire,” “The Addams Family,” “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” or “Coraline.” The whole family will enjoy “Beetlejuice.”

8. Go on a hay ride.

Many farms and nature centers have Halloween hayrides. Some are “haunted” by human and animatronic ghosts and zombies for those who love a good fright. Others are mellow and simply take you for a ride through the fields balanced on a hay bale. Some farms also have corn mazes that can keep you twisting and turning for close to an hour, plus farm animals to pet, pumpkins to pick and apple cider to drink. You can even take a trip to a local sunflower field for plenty of photo ops!

Looking for more healthy and fun ideas to celebrate Halloween? Click the link below!:

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The post 8 Fun and Healthy Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Season appeared first on The Leaf.

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Changing Approach to Get Off the Roller Coaster

My journey began in October of 2016. This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to accomplish. I’ve spent the past 7 years learning about the mechanics of how the body works, what makes up a calorie, learning how CICO functions, going into ketosis, getting out of ketosis, trying 18:6 intermittent fasting, trying 20:1 intermittent fasting (OMAD), diet coaches, lifting weights, looking spiritually through therapy as to what hole I am trying to fill with the constant longing to eat food in excess, tracking my calories, becoming a runner, working with accountability partners, and all the while, riding the roller coaster of weight loss.

The one thing I haven’t done, and allowing 7 years to pass without doing it is pretty humbling, is to take it slow. I’ve refused to do this because “if I can just get the weight off, then the rewards will be so great that the motivation to maintain will carry me.”

This has resulted in peaks and valleys, and I’m now back up to 222 lbs from my low of 175. At 5’10” and being a 41 y/o male, I know am fortunate by being able to enjoy a TDEE of 1967 calories even if I don’t exercise and still maintain my weight.

So, I’ve decided to make the beginning of my journey to take it slow with this post. The struggle thus far has blessed me with the habit of exercise daily, and I will continue that. The goal now is to eat at my TDEE of 1967 calories, and to stick with it for as many years as it takes to get to my goal weight of 165.

The piece of advice we all continually hear on this sub is that we must change our lifestyle in order to have the weight loss stick. I’m going to finally take that advice, and I’ll be posting my progress along the way.

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Cardio vs weight lifting - when is which better for weight loss

How do you assess whether to focus on weight lifting or cardio for weight loss ? Like I see both being recommended but I don't really get which in which situation and which info is needed to decide that?

Weight lifting is for building muscles and cardio for burning calories and your heart etc that's clear, but sometimes people say not to do too much cardio for losing weight as it makes it harder to eat less in long term and it supposedly makes the body burn more muscle mass or sth..? I'm confused, please enlighten me.

So far I thought about doing 2 weeks with 3x cardio and 2x weight lifting and then 2 weeks with 4x weight lifting and 1x Cardio and 1x liss cardio in sync with my energy levels throughout my cycle to get"the best of both worlds" but not sure if that makes any sense at all especially for maintaining muscle mass.

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6 Easy Ways to Lose Weight This Fall

If you’re like most people, your weight loss journey typically begins on New Year’s Eve―and not a moment sooner. However, you’re actually missing out on the best season for shedding pounds: fall! This time of year presents optimal opportunities for weight loss and overall health improvement. So start your healthy living routine now and you’ll be prepared to face the unhealthy holiday temptations that lie ahead. Check out these six simple ways to lose weight this fall!

1. Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Summer, with its sweltering temps and scorching sunlight, isn’t exactly conducive to outdoor exercise. But fall’s lack of humidity makes exercising outdoors a breeze. And, since we all know that increasing physical activity is a great way to speed up our slim-down, taking advantage of autumn’s cooler temps is a fast pass to weight loss success.

Try catching up on a loved one’s day with a pre-dinner stroll, or get off to an active start with a morning jog. Not sold on the whole exercise thing? Torch some calories engaging in fun fall activities like apple or pumpkin picking, a local corn maze or raking leaves!

2. Snooze to Lose

One of the things people like least about fall is the shorter days. But in a nation of sleep-deprived multi-taskers, is it really so bad that we’re forced to wind down a little earlier?

Time and again, studies exploring the relationship between sleep and weight have demonstrated that adults who skimp on sleep tend to weigh more than those who get adequate pillow time.

Considering the fact that a 2013 Gallup poll revealed that fewer than 40 percent of adults are getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night, chances are good that an earlier curfew could work in your weight loss favor.

Start by setting an earlier bedtime. But don’t stop there; decide on a to-do curfew as well. This will be the time you ditch the devices, stop cleaning the kitchen, silence your cell and start unwinding. To make drifting off easier, avoid eating, exercising or napping right before you hit the sack.

3. Take Advantage of the Healthy Harvest

Aside from dishing out filling fiber and a slew of other nutrients, fruits and veggies are cholesterol-free and low in calories, fat and sodium. This makes them an important part of any weight loss plan.

In fact, a 2015 study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, demonstrated a clear connection between increased consumption of fruits and non-starchy vegetables and weight loss. That’s one of the reasons why we recommend eating at least four servings of non-starchy vegetables per day on the Nutrisystem program.

Autumn, with its tasty array of seasonal produce, makes it easy to load up on these nutritional powerhouses. Hit the grocery store or farmer’s market to stock up on your fall favorites, and toss them in a crock-pot with some chicken or vegetable broth for a cozy fall stew. Or visit the Recipe section on the Leaf for some other produce prepping ideas.

4. Savor the Structure

Although one of the things we love most about summer is the spontaneity, the lack of structure can make planning meals and scheduling exercise kind of tricky. Add to that weekend after weekend of BBQs and picnics and you’ve got a recipe for diet destruction.

But with the kids back in school and the weekend commitments slowing, fall is a great time to get organized. Try planning out the week’s meals on Sundays, then hit the grocery store to grab everything you’ll need.

Get a head-start on healthy by chopping up and packaging your daily produce picks in individual serving containers. Check your calendar for commitments, then mark the days you can work in a workout.

When it comes to weight loss, a little planning goes a long way. And autumn is the perfect time to plan out healthy habits for the year.

5. Plan Ahead for the Holidays

Planning ahead is a crucial strategy for weight loss during the fall season. As the weather cools down, we find ourselves surrounded by holiday celebrations, gatherings, and an abundance of comfort foods. These can easily lead to overindulgence and weight gain. But, with a bit of foresight, you can navigate these challenges successfully.

Before attending any event or party, consider eating a healthy, filling meal at home. This will help curb your appetite and reduce the temptation to overeat.

Additionally, try to anticipate the types of food that will be available and strategize about which ones you’ll choose and how much you’ll serve yourself. By having a plan in place, you can enjoy the festivities without compromising your weight loss goals. There are many resources on the Leaf to help you navigate holidays while on a weight loss plan. Learn how to plan your Thanksgiving plate to lose weight.

Remember, successful weight management is not about total deprivation, but about balance and making mindful choices. We’ve got plenty of holiday-inspired recipes on the Leaf that allow you to enjoy the flavors you crave in a healthier way. Try these healthy Thanksgiving pies and these Christmas dinner ideas.

6. Step on the Scale

Regardless of the season, one thing is for sure: weighing yourself regularly is a great way to stay on the trim-down track. In fact, in a two-year study published in the Journal of Obesity, researchers found that frequent self-weighing and tracking results was helpful for losing weight―and keeping it off.

Don’t lose sight of the scale just because the season changes. Try weighing yourself once a week, around the same time of day, and with the same amount of clothes on each time. Record your weight on a calendar, spreadsheet―whatever works for you.

Just be mindful that your weight is susceptible to many factors, including fluid and sodium intake. So don’t panic if you’re doing everything right and that number on the scale goes up or stays the same across two weigh-ins.

Another easy way to lose weight this fall? Sign up for a convenient meal delivery service like Nutrisystem! Get started with a weight loss plan today.

The post 6 Easy Ways to Lose Weight This Fall appeared first on The Leaf.

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35F, suffering from PCOS. Recently joined gym but didnot loose weight. Instead gained 2kg being in calorie deficit of 1200cal

I need community opinion on my weight condition. Small background. Got diagnosed with PCOD in 2013 since then left junk food since I was told it will help in cure of my condition.Multiple Doctors simply tell me to loose weight but when I tell them I dn eat junk or extra food except with some exceptions they have no answer. All my tests done multiple times. Hormone, diabetes, vitamin deficiency thyroid but everything is normal in my body.

Now 3 month back my weight was 65 kg which was constant since 2 years. Suddenly I started feeling my clothes are getting tighter hence checked my weight a month back it went to 72.8kg. In these months again my periods stopped. Same day i joined gym out of guilt.

Since 1 month every week I workout for 4 days a week. I follow strict diet as suggested by my trainer with mostly my calories going upto 1200calories. Today when I checked my weight it was 74.4 kg and I felt like crying. Trainer said it must be because of muscle gain but my main purpose was weight loss because my clothes are getting tighter and I hate looking in the mirror because I feel I look ugly.

I dont know if someone can relate with me or not but would like some genuine advice.

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NSV: I am officially 5 months in!

Alright, super exciting news and post today! I am officially 5 months into my journey today and 37.8 lbs down.

This is the longest that I’ve ever been on a weight loss journey & I never imagined I’d be able to actually stick with it. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve started and stopped. And started. And stopped. Over and over again.

What’s nice is not only have I had longevity, but it feels sustainable. The weight slowly comes off & I am learning to enjoy my life with the weight coming off slowly.

Sometimes I consider tightening up - there may have been a world where I could be closer to 50 pounds down by now. However, I’m learning to enjoy the journey of weight loss rather than being super hard on myself.

At first, I didn’t allow myself the freedom to drink or eat with friends - but now, I’m allowing myself to do those things while being conscious of my choices.

I don’t weigh every piece of food that goes into my body anymore, but make more informed decisions about what to eat. And the weight is still coming off.

Anyway, I can literally taste onederland & I’m getting so excited to be getting the body I’ve always dreamed of having. Also, as always, here is a little progress photo! Feeling amazing. Looking so much better.

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Starting my weight loss journey

Hello weight loss gurus of reddit i'm 15 years old 185cm tall and around 98kg depending on when i'm weighing myself. I've been made fun of my entire life for being fat and i do indeed have manboobs and i'm tired of it so a week ago i started trying to lose weight. I am hitting the gym 4 times a week for 2 hours and mostly doing arms, abs and back cus it's my school gym that doesn't have a lot of equipment. I am also soing intermittent fasting i don't eat from 6pm-12pm the next day. I'd say i'm around 800+ calories deficit everyday really depends on what i eat. My goal is getting to 80kg or below while possibly gaining muscle how unrealistic is this? And how long do the professionals on this subreddit think it would take going at this pace also will loose skin become a problem?

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