One-Month Challenge: Chocolate-Free March, Week 1

March 5, 2011 4:00 pm     Posted in Body, Health, Reality  Candy -- NYU g+ page

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. Last month, Melissa gave up (or tried to!) late-night snacking. This month, reader Lauren is going on chocolate detox. Let's hope this doesn't send her on a Charlie Sheen downward spiral!]


By Candy

Hi, my name is Lauren and I’m a chocaholic. I’m one of those girls that doesn’t only crave chocolate around that “time of the month,” but basically every day. I love me some chocolate and maybe a little too much.

So this March, I’m giving it up. Yep, no chocolate. No M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, snack cakes drizzled with chocolate, chocolate cake. You name it; I can’t have it.

I decided to take on this challenge to see if I could really not touch anything chocolately for one whole month and see if it makes me feel better and healthier. I also want to see if I’m eating it for the right reasons. Am I really hungry and just need to choose a healthier option for a snack? Or do I just want a sugar rush? Am I just bored? Every time I crave chocolate, I’m really thinking about why.

Sure, we’ve all learned lately that a little bit of dark chocolate is good for you, but eating chocolate every day in different sugary sources? Probably not so much. I’m sure the pounds of sugar slows me down. I want to see if it really does effect my energy levels or my mood.

Worst part of this is going to be the temptation. I kind of forgot to tell my parents I was doing this challenge before my mom went out and bought me a whole bunch of chocolate treats: Cocoa Crispies snack treats from SAM’S CLUB, Reese’s Peanut Butter eggs (my fave!), she made these cocoa peanut butter oatmeal cookies that are amazing. I couldn’t really down all of this stuff in the last week of February, so guess what’s been sitting around my house? About a million chocolate treats screaming my name every time I crave that chocolate goodness. And then there’s other people. On my FIRST day, I went to my Grandparent’s house and they had Ghirardelli chocolate brownies and I had to explain to them that I wasn’t eating chocolate this month. Major. Bummer.

Yep, this month is going to suck. Let’s hope it turns me into a sudden health and fitness nut or something and I forget chocolate exists (yeah, right). Now I have to go convince my boyfriend that his birthday cake this year better be vanilla…

So how about you? Do you think you’re addicted to chocolate and willing to give it up for a month? Share your thoughts!

[Check out the other One Month Challenges we've taken on. And if you've got a challenge you want to tackle (and be held accountable for), email us and we could feature you next month. Come on - it's good for you!]

21 Comments on "One-Month Challenge: Chocolate-Free March, Week 1"

  1. laurenrstewart says:
    Sat, 5th Mar 20114:04 pm 

    Hey guys! Thanks for letting me write for you – even though every chocolate commercial right now makes me want to punch my TV! ;) Everyone, please give me some advice!!!

    Lauren http://www.laurensthoughts.com

  2. Charlotte- University of Birmingham says:
    Sat, 5th Mar 20115:52 pm 

    I give up chocolate every year for lent and my birthday falls right in the middle of it every year!!
    It's hard, especially at your time of the month, but it is possible!!

    Charlotte http://www.girlnextdoorfashion.net

  3. Jennifer says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 20113:01 am 

    I love chocolate so much, I don't think I could give it up cold turkey. Maybe ease up and be more aware of how much I eat it, but definitely not give it up for a whole month.

  4. Da;) says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 20115:39 am 

    Hey :) Im addicted to ice cream i eat everyday and i loooove it but i have to just stop eating it, it is just too much! so im giving uo ice cream this month insted of chocolate :) lets hope it works :)

  5. Eliza says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201110:54 am 

    You've inspired me, I'm trying it too. Starting tomorrow!!!

  6. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:13 am 

    Cool we can do it together!

  7. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:14 am 

    I used to be the same way with ice cream until it started giving me stomach aches so I don't really eat much now. :( Good luck!

  8. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:14 am 

    Yeah it is definitely difficult, especially with chocolate stuff EVERYWHERE around my house.

  9. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:15 am 

    Good for you – that's awesome. That sucks though – no chocolate birthday cake ever?!?

  10. Sweetdeco says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 20112:47 pm 

    You don't have to give up chocolate. The cocoa bean has 300 nutrients in it that is good for the human body. What you need to give up is all the added sugars, fillers and waxes that are found in the chocolate bars you eat. Oh yes and you need to eat unprocessed or uncooked cocoa. There is one source out there but the only one right now with a cold pressed patented technology to keep all the nutrients. It's called Xocai and it also taste great. Look it up http://www.mxi.myvoffice.com/sweetdeco or http://www.lifewithchocolate.net

  11. Miss M says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 20112:50 pm 

    If I were you I would get rid of all the chocolate in the house (yes even the stuff your mom just bought for you) that way it will be harder to get some. The Extra dessert gum is really helpful if you are craving something sweet. Good luck!

  12. mary says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 20117:10 pm 

    One month, wow how hard is that? but I too would like to loose a pound or two and feel better.

  13. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:46 pm 

    Yeah I guess I can't really throw away food my parents bought and will eat too. :-/ Doesn't help my mom made brownies today! Ugh! But thanks – I do love the mint chocolate chip dessert gum!

  14. laurenrstewart says:
    Sun, 6th Mar 201111:47 pm 

    Yeah only about 7 days in and I'm dying… but you'll hear about it in my next post!
    http://www.laurensthoughts.com

  15. criolle johnny says:
    Mon, 7th Mar 20119:54 am 

    I am NOT addicted to chocolate! I can quit any time I want! I've quit a dozen times just to prove it!

  16. Renee says:
    Mon, 7th Mar 201110:53 am 

    I will join you on this challenge! Good luck :)

  17. laurenrstewart says:
    Mon, 7th Mar 20112:14 pm 

    Awesome – good luck to you too! Everyone – feel free to email me with advice or questions. :)

    lrstewar@gmail.com!

  18. www3butterfly says:
    Wed, 9th Mar 20117:18 pm 

    that's going to be a really hard challenge for me. practically eat chocolate everyday. good luck!

  19. Harley says:
    Fri, 11th Mar 201112:58 am 

    So, I think I may be a chocolate addict. And I'm going to attempt with all my power to join you in this challenge. Starting tomorrow morning….

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