This is JESSICA's question: "I dont know what to do on Easter.
Yikes, I dont like being overweight, I weigh 162 pounds. Help, Easter is in 5 days, that is the day I usually I mess up. Any ideas?"

Easter is a time when temptation can wreck your weight loss goals.  Chocolate bunnies, candy eggs, jelly beans, and marshmallow peeps seem to be everywhere.  And of course there's your Easter basket on Easter morning.  How can you resist all these Easter goodies?  First of all, "goodies" is the wrong term - they really don't do any "good" for you.  Sure they taste good, but only for a moment; then you are disappointed that you caved and that you may gain more weight.  Second, keep in mind that candy companies make a lot of money at Easter.  They advertise heavily in order to entice you to eat as much candy and chocolate bunnies as possible.  So, what can you do to deal with this temptation and not spoil all your weight loss efforts?

Angie, age 14, suggests: "Put all your Easter candy on your bed and sort it into a pile. Make a pile of the candy you really like and then the candy you don't. Keep the pile of candy you really like and treat yourself to two a day. One for a snack when you get home from school and another after supper. The candies are small enough and wont stop your weight loss. And give the other pile of candy you don't care about to one of your sisters or brothers or a friend!"

Kailyn, a parent, suggests: "The Easter Bunny comes to my house. The kids eat what they want on Easter, then they put the rest of the candy in the hall before they go to bed. The Easter Bunny replaces the candy with a present (something that encourages healthy eating and activity). I tell them the more candy they leave the better the present. They love it!!!" 

Here's another tip.  Many of us find comfort in Easter candy.  But instead of a chocolate bunny how about finding comfort in a soft, cuddly, stuffed bunny?  Maybe ask the Easter Bunny to bring you toys in your Easter basket instead of candy?

Here are some other helpful Easter Hints to try from Lucy:
* Pick a total of 10 of your favorite candies. Give the rest away. 
* Set a candy dump date. Decide today the date you will get rid of all the candy still hanging around. Then DO IT! 
* Place all of the candy you picked into small sandwich bags. Place 4 or 5 pieces into each bag. Freeze the bags. Each week, allow yourself to eat from one bag. 
* Do not expect to binge on the candy. Believe you can eat it in moderation! Do not make the candy the enemy!
* Have a Healthy Easter!

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