The Year That Was Without Chocolate

I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow. I have just spent the whole year without chocolate.

YES! You read right > the whole of 2013 I did not put one piece of chocolate into my mouth. Including anything chocolate flavoured, no cappuccino's because of the chocolate sprinkle, no chocolate cakes, chocolate chips, nothing. The closest I got was accidentally inhaling some cocoa from Aston's chocolate flavoured milk.

It was really an interesting process, I learnt a lot about my own habits of enjoying this delicious treat. Needless to say, I am super proud of my achievement. I would never say "I can't believe that I did it" because my mind was so set, there was no way that I was not going to achieve it. This is a great way to enter into 2014 knowing that once I set my mind to something, I can achieve it.

#1 habit broken. You've had a busy day, you've been working, doing the kid thing, you pop to the service station or super market, and that oh-so convenient chocolate bar rack on the way out, well I learnt that apart from chewing gum or lollipops, your only option really is chocolate, and I used to love that little treat because it was so well earned. I stopped searching for other options about 5 months in. And don't desire 'a treat' at the cash register now. I don't even look twice now at the snacks available.

Desserts and cakes, it was nice being able to say no because it was made of or with chocolate. It was nice to have a reason to reject these things. It was nice to also explore a new world of baking without chocolate. Starting my healthy living journey in June also coincided nicely with my abstinence to the lovely chocolate treat. My mum never got used to the not-eating-chocolate thing, and only offered me one just the other day. "Maybe next year mum" was my response.

I had dreams of eating chocolate and freaking out about it. Easter was interesting and I did manage to get through it (can you believe it!!) mostly without freaking out. My monthly sugar cravings were fulfilled with jelly lollies. And eventually they have subsided too. I did also learn a lot about when I was craving chocolate and why. These regular cravings have pretty much disappeared too.

The hardest part has actually been the last couple of weeks. The joy (stress) of Christmas, and the family enjoying some chocolate lately, oh my gosh, I have felt some craving for the sweet stuff. BUT I am happy to say that I have a stash ready including some super special chocolate all the way from Belgium and the Swiss alps.

This was not a new years resolution, I made a decision to fast chocolate for a year. Fasting as part of my beliefs, to give up something as a sacrifice to build my Faith.

Right now I am not confident in myself to fully resist the regular temptation of chocolate. I was a 2 blocks in my grocery shop type of girl. I am a little scared to not have the restriction on myself and I really will have to administer self control now when it does come to the chocolate decision. With all the above said, I think I can do it! Here's to a happy new year!

You Bad Little Thing



 

I am not one for 'drama' in my life. Sharing so that others can learn, again. Here goes.

I have been off the pill for a good year now, not because we were wanting another baby but because I was enjoying not putting drugs into my body. I actually really felt great! I have been balanced emotionally, no crazy downers, my libido returned (I do wonder where it goes? I reckon it gets pushed out after having babies or something) and I can't say that there were any obvious monthly dramas to deal with: pimples, pms, etc.

I started back on the pill under 2 weeks ago.  I am now off the pill again and am completely frustrated about the whole situation. Man, I am learning some strange lessons in life at the moment.

Before I go on, the things I am learning about my body are obvious to me because I am in a time in life where my focus is on my health and well being. It is easy to diagnose my situation because my children are at an easy age to deal with and my partner works away giving me time to think about things and focus on self. Hence, I am not disctracted with life's general runnings. Some women wouldn't think twice about these things and just get on with it because they don't have time to think about it, etc. You get my drift. I say this because it could be happening to you and you are wondering "what the heck is wrong with me?"

Once again, being naive has it's down sides. I used my old script from earlier in the year and jumped straight back onto Yaz. Yaz has been known lately in the media for causing of blood clots and deaths in young women. It is a multi-pill, so have a few different types of hormones/drugs in it. Mum told me to get off them ASAP.

Do you want to know what happened to me when I did go back on the pill?

Within the first week of starting back on the pill I had a general uneasyness. Just feeling uneasy about life and the circumstances coming my way. It was an odd feeling and I remember commenting a couple of times to my hubby about feeling that way. I couldn't put my finger on it.

Within the first week and up until lately, I notice my heart get a bit racy in the evening while I was relaxing watching tv. Just starts pumping a bit more harder for a short period of time. I am not concernced because I have dealt with palpitations in the past. But still, I do put it down to the pill.

Within the first week I started getting pimples all over my chest and neck. And no, not just a few but lots, and big and red and just everywhere. My sister actually commented that it was acne rather than just pimples. Gross. By this stage I was unimpressed.

After the first week I was bloated and chubbier than I have been for a couple of weeks. Because I have been clean eating and working out, I have noticed my clothes loosen and I had been feeling nice and slim. But to all of a sudden I got pudgey I was thinking "what the heck is going on?"

I have also been unenergised to hit the gym and feeling awefully lazy at work.
And dealing with more moodiness than I have had to deal with for a long time.

If you are on the pill I think that it would be a great thing for you to go online and just get a really good understanding of what the drugs are doing to your body. Sometimes the hormones drive us crazy and sadly we would blame ourselves for issues but really it could be largely due to the hormones you are feeding yourself every day.

Fancy me putting all that effort into eating well and working out hard, to have some little pill come along and make me feel crap. Grrrr....

My conclussion is that I cannot deal with the drugs in this little wonder thing called the pill. I much much much prefer a cleaner body without this stuff. I will go and see what my options are. Considering a mini-pill, which is a single drug of progestogen (spelling?).  I am aware of the many options and have read up on alot of the different types of pills. Also considering Mirena. Which I also believe is a single dose of the progestogen. Any feedback welcome?

Thanks for reading anyway, maybe a bit boring but I was annoyed enough to write about it.
Happy posts now. Recipes and pics to come!

I had to lighten the mood, I don't care for the 'fat arm' comment but this photo just cracks me up so hard every time I see it. Have a great day!