Last year I made the decision to go ‘chocolate free’ until Christmas 2019. The reason for this drastic measure was that I had recognised that chocolate was becoming a crutch for me. I was eating chocolate in some form, every day. Because I was beating myself up about it, I really wasn’t enjoying it anymore, but I was still eating it out of habit . My plan was that I would eat no chocolate from 1 September 2019 until Christmas Eve. This would be a huge challenge for me, but I’m very happy to report that the plan was a success.
Introducing chocolate into my diet on Christmas Eve, and enjoying it over Christmas definitely added to my experience of the holiday period.. After all, who wants to give up their favourite treats, while around them, everyone else seems to be indulging?
By Christmas Eve, I had been chocolate free for 115 Days. I was a little concerned that I may go crazy and eat a truck load of chocolate over just the Christmas/New Year period, but that didn’t happen. Not because I have willpower super powers. But because after so many days without eating chocolate, I had lost the taste for it.
At the end of the new year holiday period, I then set myself the challenge to continue to be ‘chocolate free’. But this time there would be a difference. I would go without chocolate for the entire year of 2020. Well not an entire year. Of course, I would allow myself a challenge break over Easter. There is no way I could miss my favourite Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. I’m now counting down until Easter. I don’t plan to eat a huge amount of chocolate, but I do plan to eat chocolate.
After Easter, the challenge will begin again until Christmas 2020. An entire year! Can I do it? I’m really not sure that I can rise to this huge, perhaps even impossible challenge. But I’m going to give it a red hot go.
This is not an official challenge, but just a simple little challenge for me, that I made up myself, and which seemed to suit me and how I was feeling at the time. Looking back I’m really pleased, and feel quite proud, that I have been chocolate free for 205 days. Back in September 2019, when this challenge started, I didn’t really think I would get through one week. I’m not at all sure why, but my will power in doing this has been really great.
Benefits of Dark Chocolate
I don’t mean to suggest that chocolate is bad for us, or that anyone else should give up chocolate. Usually I would say have a little of anything that you love and it’s all about moderation. But I wasn’t able to have a little and definitely didn’t eat chocolate in moderation. I am now sure that at the end of 2020, I will be able to go back to eating small amounts of chocolate as a treat. The thinking these days is that there are health benefits to dark chocolate, so maybe I’ll make dark chocolate my preference.
- Nutritious
- Antioxidants
- Improved blood flow and lower blood pressure
- Improves several important risk factors for disease
- May reduce heart disease rish
- May protect your skin from the sun
- Could improve brain function
The above benefits relate to dark chocolate. Not all chocolate on the market has these benefits, but it has been shown that there are health benefits to dark chocolate, with 70% or higher cocoa content. Just because there are health benefits to chocolate, I still don’t think it’s a good idea to eat lots of chocolate, or even to eat it every day. Regardless of the health benefits, chocolate is very high in calories, which brings other problems. The key word is moderation.
Are you a chocolate lover? Are you able to eat it in moderation? I love it when we chat and promise to reply to all comments.
More about the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
This post is linked to Life This Week
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I’m not sure I could go chocolate-free for that long!!! My mother gives up chocolate / lollies for Lent each year as she loves chocolate.
I suspect I’d replace it with someone else sweet and unhealthy!!!
That’s the temptation Deborah. So far I haven’t been tempted to replace chocolate with another high calorie food. Hopefully that will continue
I don’t really eat much sugar at all (fermented sugar ie wine is a different story)… I do, however, like the occasional square of (good) dark chocolate. Hot cross buns with lashings of butter though, now that’s a different story!
Jo don’t talk to me about hot cross buns covered thickly in butter! I love them so much. Luckily they’re not available all year round.
It seems to disagree with me more and more, so it’s a rarity that I eat it now. Wish I could say the same for chips though haha
I do wish chocolate would disagree with me Vanessa. Could solve my problems. I can easily say no to potato chips. Thanks for visiting
I love chocolate although milk is my favourite. That said, I have a friend who is a cardiologist and he says that a square of dark chocolate a day keeps the doctor away 🙂
Even though I know dark is best, I do prefer milk. I will have to train myself to dark chocolate when the challenge is over
I love a little bit of chocolate but don’t gorge myself on it (my husband LOVES chocolate and could eat an entire block or an entire packet of chocolate biscuits in one sitting if I let him!) My weakness is potato chips – in any shape or form, and I’ll never give them up – I just have to keep my exposure to them limited to once a week at the most or I’ll be waddling around before I know it!
I know what you mean Leanne. A little of what we love isn’t a bad thing. Potato chips don’t tempt me. It’s just chocolate for me
You and my husband would get along very well Jennifer – except you’d be fighting over the chocolate – I see us as Jack Spratt and his wife (chocolate lover and chip lover – he eats the majority of one thing and I eat the majority of the other!)
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
My partner and I are the same Leanne. It works well
Your will power is amazing Jennifer but I’m glad you’re having some chocolate at Easter. I also love the benefits of chocolate that you included, makes me feel better! #lifethisweek
My willpower isn’t strong enough for no chocolate over Easter, Deb. I wouldn’t even contemplate that 😂
It’s funny I should be reading this after devouring nearly a whole easter egg (I know, bought early!) while working from home just now. I definitely will have to lay off. But fair play for you for achieving this. I like your message of moderation and the idea that you have got the habit under control, and can resume eating a normal amount of chocolate. #MLSTL
I usually start my Easter egg eating eRly too but not this year. I’m looking forward to my first Easter egg
I eat 3 individually wrapped Dove dark chocolate w/almonds daily after dinner as a “you’re done eating” signal for the day. I never feel deprived and I never eat more than 3.
That’s exactly what I’m hoping to be able to do after a year of no chocolate Rita.
I am pleased you will be having some at Easter, this year we definitely will be needing the treat.
You’re right Serena. It’s been a tough time
A challenge set for a good reason worked for you. Well-done. I admit I need some kind of milk type chocolate as it is a soothing taste and mouth feel. But since before my cancer diagnosis when my mouth was very sore (we didn’t know why) I could only eat a little at a time and that has stuck. I was someone who ate chocolate a lot and a lot of it, these days my mouth and my gut tell me less is better and that is working well.
Good on you. Being surrounded by chocolate at work must have made it harder some days.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is 14/51 Self-Care Stories #2. 6.4.2020 and I hope to see you link up then too. Denyse.
I agree Denyse, milk chocolate tastes best. I love it
I, too, am a chocoholic! I’ve written about this in my blog too, but it wasn’t about trying to give up – it was more of a confession. When our lives were a bit less restricted than now, I ate a lot of chocolate, and sweets. Sugar was my best friend. I haven’t had any chocolate or refined sugar for about a week. I plan not to buy any more. I’m going to use the money I save to provide my body with fresh vegetables and fruit. Good luck on your journey, you’ll be fine! Take care. 🙂 x
That’s a great plan Cheryl. At the moment lots of fruit and veg are what we need to hopefully boost our immunity
I’ve always been very take it or leave it about chocolate. That said, I always find it SUPER interesting when someone makes a commitment like this to themselves and does it. Well done!
Thank you Melissa. But I am slightly envious that you have a take it or leave it attitude towards chocolate. I am hoping that is the attitude that I am developing in this challenge.
I do like chocolate but the in moderation can be a challenge. Thus i rarely have chocolate in the house. From time to time I bake something with chocolate or will purchase a treat. Like you i can not resist those Easter chocolate eggs.
After having no chocolate for so long I’m really enjoying the Easter eggs. Happy Easter x