Susie Black is a personal trainer who has been improving people’s health in Blairgowrie for over 12 years. Her motto is Enjoy Good Health and here she shares her tips for avoiding too much temptation on Valentines’s Day…
If you manage to behave all week and turn into the cookie monster whenever you enter a restaurant, a Valentine’s Day meal is unlikely to lead to a romantic evening.
We’re all prone to temptation but every so often a night out can end in overeating, discomfort and bloating. Sometimes we even make it to the main course: “Oh, just sparkling water and the fruit plate to start, thanks.”
Or “grilled chop with green salad for me.” And then a switch flicks and somehow there’s an extra order of triple fried chips, an extra bottle of plonk and garlic bread on the table.
Sometimes it’s not even our fault. Our other half will order any old tat knowing that s/he can nibble at two morsels and we’ll swallow the rest. By the time the dessert menu comes around we’re thinking the evening is past saving and we might as well make it a meal to remember – again.
If you’re lucky enough to be invited out for a Valentine’s dinner here’s a checklist to prevent you from overdoing it. It sounds tough but remember that Valentine’s is for smooching rather than burping. A little restraint may provide positive payback before the night is through.
- Insist on only 2 courses.
- If possible, look at the menu online before you go and decide your meal in advance.
- If you know you’re going to end up ordering dessert then have a starter in place of a main course. So many people are now doing this that some restaurants will even have 2 price options for that reason.
- Tell your other half exactly what you plan to order at the start. If your resolve is really low it’ll be hard to add to it without admitting you’re a willpower casualty.
- Opt for a sharing platter. What could be more romantic?
- Don’t be talked into mealtime mischief. Anyone who wants you to order the double cheese fried pork bomb (because they’ll think it’s hilarious to post a photo of you eating it on instagram) is not acting in your interests. Also, you’re better than that.
Try it this Valentine’s Day and see how much better you feel afterwards.
