We talked a bit about environmental control last week—the idea of not having Halloween candy in the house until the day of Halloween to protect ourselves from ourselves. 

It works.

If it’s not there, we won’t eat it.

Then a sweet reader told us (through the comments section—we love comments!!) about the draw to buy the candy because it was on sale . . .

Ah.  The trap of “The Sale”.

Money and food have...

. . . is October 31st.

It barely has time to settle into the bowl before little ghosts and princesses grab for their treats.

Less time alone with the candy = more available for the costumed kids.

Universal goal of Halloween achieved!

But, I learned this trick the hard way.

It took years. 

Long ago, I would buy some for the kids and a bag for myself.  They are “fun-sized,” I’d argue.  Good portion control . . ....

There are only a few days left to watch my Free Video Series: Happier Holidays with Dr. Stephanie Fein. 

The 4th and final video release, yesterday, marked the first availability of the Happier Holidays Program.  The 12-week Program will start on Sunday (yay!).  Join us! 

The free videos come down Saturday night—along with the chance to join the Program.

I learned a lot from the video series and I hope you did too.

• I learned to unplug the phone...

I don’t know about you, but the shock has barely worn off and the sadness has set in.  This has been a hard week and I needed to acknowledge the confusion and disappointment in the air. 

And the sadness. The deep sadness. 

I’m making a special effort to keep my heart open—to the victims of the tragedy, their loved ones and all who feel dazed and afraid.  It’s the only control I have in a completely out of control situation. 

I’m...

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Oh my!

They conjure up thoughts of pumpkins and falling leaves, warm family gatherings, pine trees and wrapping paper . . .

. . . and candies and pies, stuffing and gravy, cookies and eggnog.

Overeating is as much a part of these American holidays as the gratitude and compassion they developed from.

I’ve heard the holiday trifecta referred to as the Bermuda Triangle of Weight Gain.

Which is fitting...

I was hungry one evening not too long ago, but I knew I was going to a favorite restaurant with my husband later so I waited to eat. 

Big mistake.

Because I get physically uncomfortable (tummy and headache) and very irritable. 

In order to protect my kids from my symptoms, I decided to hide out in my office.  I distracted myself with work—not the rich creative work that requires calm centeredness—but I got some mundane things done. ...

There was a time in American history when the majority of homes had a dedicated homemaker.  She (as it usually was a she) kept the home running smoothly including planning and preparing all the meals for the family members.  Eating out was a rare occurrence.

Americans were thinner then. 

Times have changed over the last 60 years.  For many reasons, eating out has become more commonplace.  In fact, in the early 60’s about 90% of dinners were...

“I’m going on a diet”

“I’m starting a new diet on Monday”

“I’m dieting, so I can’t eat that”

How often have we heard those phrases (or said them ourselves!)?  The diet mentality—one of restriction and deprivation—is keeping us overweight.

And here’s how:

If you start with a “diet” to lose some extra pounds, then going off that...

It was going to be a long afternoon—the next three hours were tightly scheduled: picking up kids from two different schools, taking one to an appointment and the other a class, fitting in getting gas for the car, cash for the week and picking up my long lost dry cleaning.  Check, check and check!  The trouble was I had to pee the whole time. 

I’d forget about it when I had the chance, and then be rudely reminded at the most inopportune...

I saw this cartoon on social media and “get it” all too well.  Even if you feel this way, I’m going to encourage you to hop on the scale. Regularly.

Here’s why:

It’s important to have and use data.  The classic analogy is a GPS mapping device —it needs to know where you are now and where you want to end up before it can tell you how to get there.  Same with weight.

It doesn’t always feel this...