Sparkler or Damp Squid?

Do you remember when you were a child and went to a Bonfire party, it was all about the fireworks not what you got to eat, you either ate before you went or when you got back home.

Which part of fireworks night did you like best, Bonfire toffee, a penny for the Guy, collecting things for the bonfire, and did you get upset when the guy went up in flames on the fire.

I’m sure you had a favourite firework, but which do you most relate to now?

• Jack in the box – up one minute and down the next
• Catherine wheel – round and round in circles
• Rocket – shoots off never to be seen again
• Roman candle – shows a lot of promise but don’t give any results
• Damp squid – light it and it does nothing
• Sparkler – Lights up in a burst of light that makes everyone stop and stare

As Bonfire Night fast approaches and where to go and what you’ll be eating is being discussed, let’s just take a minute to think about what foods are we likely to eat/drink at a Bonfire Party?

Sausages, beefburgers, cobs, jacket potatoes, mushy peas, baked beans, soup and lastly alcohol (because a lot of these parties are now held at pubs).

Oh and not forgetting the cheese, coleslaw and tomato sauce as It’s the hidden extras that can cause the problems and stop us from sparkling, but only if we let them.

Please remember that the chances are it won’t be the ‘healthy low-fat sausage/burger’ you would choose at home, the bread roll is unlikely to be small, the soup won’t be slimming, and the jacket potato could be enormous, and that’s without the extra’s like Butter, cheese, coleslaw and of course plenty of liquid to wash it all down with and obviously to keep you warm!!

The big Question is can I eat these foods and still get a weight loss?

The Answer is YES of course if you sparkle and stay in control.

You may be thinking – How will I cope????

• Will I just give in and pick up the pieces afterwards? 
• Will I stop all together as its nearly Christmas as I can always start again in January
• Or will I sparkle through the occasion?

Don’t forget we can compromise so that we don’t have to go without, but we do still need to be vigilant, or our efforts can very easily go up in smoke.

One option is you could prepare a huge vat of soup/ chilli jacket potatoes etc and either eat before you go, or have it when you get back! Your choice!

But when does the Bonfire go out?  Will you continue to put more fuel onto the fire?

Whatever you do make sure you don’t let one day spoil your week!

One of the hardest things we need to do is to be able put behind us a bad day and to start afresh the following day.

All it takes is being sensible, planning ahead, all it takes is minutes  to work it out (menu) eating lower calorie meals in advance,.  Do more activity by walking there and back.  If it doesn’t go to plan reduce your calories the following days.  Above all enjoy the occasion and have fun. 

But if we cheat and get away with it, we think we can carry on, but we always get what we deserve, and it will eventually show sometimes in the form of very slow weight loss or even a weight gain.

Sometimes even a weight gain can be a positive thing as it can make you stop and think and get back to what you know you should be doing.

A slow weight loss can make you despondent, which in turn can make you wonder why you are bothering and so you give up.

Fireworks can be really dangerous if not handled correctly, and so can our food choices, especially to the more vulnerable.

If you want to sparkle this Bonfire Night, why not follow our Bonfire Night Code for healthy eating.

Your Guide to Bonfire Night SUCCESS

* Keep any dangerous food out of sight and in a sealed container.
* Watch your portion sizes.
* Stand well away from tempting food (the buffet table)
*Keep all treats in a closed box/tin taking out 1 at a time and replacing the lid to avoid explosions
*Keep all foods that might be a danger to you at arm’s length.
*Never put food in your pockets
*NEVER return to left-over food. It could explode on your waist.

ENJOY YOUR FIREWORKS, THINK OF YOUR FIGURE AND DON’T GO UP IN SMOKE.

Remember, Remember!
If you can sparkle on bonfire night,
Then you’ll be a cracker for Christmas.