October throws up some high hurdles that can trip up any dedicated health and wellness journey. Food-heavy holidays litter the calendar, and with the weather turning dark and crispy, it’s very tempting to throw on an oversized hoodie and stuff the pouch with snacks.

If you’re feeling a little blue this time of year, don’t be so hard on yourself, you just need to adjust your perspective.

Here is a list of possible situations you may find yourself in, and how to look at them in a more positive light.

So, you ate a quarter of your kids’ Halloween candy

ON THE PLUS SIDE… you did that HIIT workout today, and you’re meeting your swolemate at the gym during lunch tomorrow. And it was only a quarter of the candy, and it’s not like you ate all of it.

Gravy. On everything

ON THE PLUS SIDE… gravy on vegetables still means you’re eating vegetables. Plus, you only had one serving, and your portions were all reasonable.

Your potluck dish is actually the second batch

ON THE PLUS SIDE… you know the recipe is good because you ate the first one. You’ve also now satiated your craving for this particular dish and can enjoy a (little) sampling of what others have brought. There’s a lot of fasting this time of year, so of course, you’re going to be hungry. If you binge, be mindful of what you’re putting on your plate at the event and be sure to drink a lot of water.

You had to run out to restock on candy… the day before Halloween

ON THE PLUS SIDE… you walked or rode your bike to get more instead of taking the car. Plus, all of that house decorating, putting together costumes and raking leaves takes up a lot of energy.

You turkey-napped through your gym time

ON THE PLUS SIDE… rest is a key part of any fitness regime. Bodies need time to heal and build muscle, and if you were able to do it surrounded by family with a tummy full of tasty food, then that’s a win! Maybe when you all wake up, you can go for a stroll through the neighbourhood to admire the fall colours and spend time together.