My apartment complex doesn't allow trick-or-treaters, so I will not be exposed to them at all.

I may even be able to avoid drugstores for a few weeks.

What tempts me the most is the after-holiday period. It's the half-off sales, just like someone said above. They speak to my hard-bargaining, frugal side. Also, my coworkers bring in their leftover candy to get it out of their houses and it's hard when it's lying in the break room next to the coffee machine. Better than half-off, it's free -- and you can take as much as you want, if no one's watching -- traditionally, a scenario that can lead to food disasters for me: All you can eat, free, unwitnessed. The triple whammy.

I will promise myself some small, non-food treat after the holiday if I continue my several-years-long habit of abstention at Halloween.

Yeah, there's something about "getting a deal" that makes some of us (raising hand) lose our grip on common sense. I often attend meetings for my work, where they generally serve very good food. (The meetings are organized by pharma companies, who want to make nice with the bigwig academic physicians who attend.) I often find myself eyeing the untouched desserts and snacks (after everyone has finished eating) and thinking about how I could take some home wrapped up in napkins. I sometimes actually do it. Just because they're there and they're free. How dumb is that?

F.

freelancemomma, free is good ! I wouldn't be able to turn down free deserts, either. I have to not look and get out of there or some will be going home with me. After Halloween when I go to the store I dare not even walk by those bags of Snickers or Milky Ways that are ridiculously cheap, just can't resist a bargain. I know from experience that I can't "just eat one".I know where I am weak and if it contains sugar and chocolate I have no will power.

I'm in.

I don't usually have an issue with it anyway, but this year (since going all-natural with my diet) its not even a viable option for me. Unless I happen to see all-natural peanut butter-filled chocolate pumpkins somewhere, it shouldn't be an issue for me.

I just started a weight loss plan comparable to ideal protein this past Sun and as of this morning.. I am 12 lbs down! And... the first blog I read is the pledge not to eat Halloween candy... Yay... count me in!

Welcome and good luck, Cara....good start on the no candy pledge.

Agreed Rosa and this could apply to so many other areas for me as well.

Being the frugal mom that I am I've had trouble with this too! I try really hard to not buy any and remind myself that I'm not a garbage can for all of the leftover candy. My plan this year is to remember that we've not had as many trick-or-treaters in recent years as we used to have. Most of the kids in our neighborhood are now teenagers with a sprinkling of younger tots. I usually buy my candy (something I don't like--like Reese's) early, on sale of course, and hide it. It comes out just as the kiddos start coming. DS17 and DH usually eat all the leftovers.

I'm going to celebrate with some sugar-free hard candy (9 calories each). I let myself have 2 pieces a day on the weekends, so it's a treat, but I can keep it in moderation.

Good for you! I don't have the capability for moderation - I do test myself every so often - YET!

Dagmar

I found this blog post a few weeks ago, and it seems to apply to this conversation, and in so many other places. I have been trying to remember it when there's free food at the office.
http://summertomato.com/10-reasons-t...eat-free-food/

Good blog! Spot on about the "free" food.

Dagmar

I confess to a small indiscretion - 2 small York peppermint patties. There was an open bag in the freezer ... I failed to resist. Worth it? Eh, I could take it or leave it, and next time, I'll leave it. I had it built up in my head that they were delightful. Reality did not live up to the fantasy. Experiment concluded.

Prior to this thread being published I made this pledge with a couple of colleagues. Count me in!

I'm not a big candy eater, but if it's there I will mindlessly eat it. And I, too, succumb to the allure of 1/2 off bags of candy and assorted treats. Last year I bought candy only to have NO trick-or-treaters show up. I live in an out of the way condo complex so some families might not think about coming out this far. I work on a university campus so ready takers for the left-overs wasn't a problem. However, after this experience, no reason to have it in the house at all.

Like others, I will practice abstinence and avoidance.

I really find store candy gross now. So fakey-chemical tasting to me. Now some really good 86% dark chocolate... that's another story. But I walk by the candy bowl every day with no issue. I'd rather have fruit. So No Halloween Candy it is- though frankly eating Halloween candy sounds like a punishment at this point.

Reporting back: Taking the pledge here worked!!! I had no candy last night even though the dark chocolate Milky Way bars were calling all evening. None. Nada. Zip.

Now I just have to get rid of the large bag of leftovers since we had only about a dozen trick or treaters.