The Day After Halloween: Be Kind

I rolled into a coffee shop this morning to do some writing. The two youngish women sitting a couple of seats away were doing very little to hide their conversation; I would have had to move away not to hear them. One of the first topics that I overheard was a discussion of how much Halloween candy they had munched the night before.

It sounded like a slightly-nervous confessional. It happens a lot, doesn't it? Two people sit down and commiserate about what they've eaten and not eaten. The conversation can quickly range from there, and it did in the coffee shop this morning.

One woman is trying to decide if she should buy bras with a smaller cup size. The other's pants are too baggy, according to a friend. But she says, "This week I did crunches FIVE TIMES..." to which her friend eventually responds, "I do like 200 situps, all different kinds..."

I think it's natural to work to convince ourselves that we're okay after a holiday that involves food. If we can find "partners in crime," we're relieved.

But what does it mean simply to be gentle with oneself after big food days? First, eat today. Starving yourself in penance won't help. Throw out the candy you don't like, and enjoy a piece or two of the stuff you do. Really enjoy it. And if you exercise, don't go out of your way to burn off extra calories. Pay attention to what your body tells you, and it will regulate itself.

• Ways to treat your body well
• How to listen to your body
• When harm feels better than help