Yesterday was the anniversary. Half-anniversary. It’s been over six months since my last chocolate.
Six months is a long time. I’d like to think that my chocolate cravings are under control, and that I could reintroduce some delicious chocolatey goodness to my diet without reaching the chocolate consumption heights (depths) I have reached previously.
But I know myself better than that. I have no willpower when it comes to my sweet tooth. I need rules. And deadlines. I need to police myself. Strictly.
So I thought about lifting the ban, and imposing rules. But I think it will work better the other way around.
The ban is still on. But with a ‘social situation exemption’.
– When meeting friends for coffee, I may order a hot chocolate (I don’t drink tea or coffee)
– When at parties or social gatherings, I may have chocolate if it is offered (surely it would be rude not to?!)
That’s it. The sum total of the exemption. And, to keep myself honest:
– I cannot orchestrate the above situations for the express purpose of being allowed to have chocolate
So no arranging catch-ups with friends at cafes when we would normally do something else, and no throwing parties because it’s Ashleigh’s favourite doll’s birthday, or because the mail’s just arrived.
What do you think? Am I going about this the right way, or just taking the first steps of my inevitable journey back to chocoholism?
Catherine Rodie Blagg says
I admire your will power! My chocolate cravings were so bad this afternoon that I found myself dipping the baby’s breadsticks in the toddlers Nuttella! (don’t tell anyone!)
Emily says
If it’s any consolation, you just made my day with a fit of giggles. And I promise I won’t tell anyone!
Tracey says
Wow, six months! Congratulations….that’s quite an achievement! I’m hoping I can be as strong as you, as I’ve gone off not just chocolate, but all sugar! And I’ve set myself the same kind of exceptions…..after all, life is meant to be lived!
Tracey
xo
Emily says
Thanks, Tracey! Good luck with your sugar ban. Having demolished entire packets of cinnamon donuts many a time during my chocolate ban, I already know I’d struggle with that!
Grace says
Wow! That’s amazing! Well done! I’m an all or nothing kinda gal. If I’m going to give up something – it has to be completely. I gave up coffee late last year and have kept it up. I think about giving myself exemptions but I know me…I’ll just go back to being a caffeine addict. But if you have the will power – why not ?
Emily says
Great work! I’ve never liked the smell of coffee so managed to avoid that addiction outright.
Fingers crossed I’m not setting myself up to fail with the choc exemptions.
Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says
Wow, well done, that is pretty amazing. I went three months without sugar this year, but have to say I am well and truly eating sugar again now. Good luck for the next six months đŸ™‚
Emily says
Thanks, Kylie! Three months without sugar at all is still a great effort!
kreategirl says
Well done. I also had a chocolate problem so I decided to give up all sugar! Now five months in, every once in a while I treat myself to a block of Loving Earth Dark Chocolate that contains no sugar. I find I can east just a few pieces and be satisfied, even though it’s delicious. http://www.lovingearth.net/products/56/organic-raw-dark-chocolate
Emily says
Ah, good to hear. I’m hoping that after six months of chocolate, little tastes will be enough.