How/why I'm cutting out chocolate completely!

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  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
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    I did that for a while too.

    Then my sister brought me a box of chocolates and I polished it off in two days. And I still missed it. So I decided that something had to change.

    So I stocked up on chocolate, and decided that I would eat it one square at a time. I still have a lot of it, and when my mom brought me the same chocolates my sister had brought, I hardly touched them.. still have some in fact (she brought more and I hadn't even finished the first ones).

    The thing is, I love chocolate. I don't want to binge on it because I never have it, but I can't imagine never having ti again. I'd much rather have a little when I crave it.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
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    Good luck OP. I don't think you have any disordered thinking. You're trying this out, and hey, nothing is permanent. You have the right to change your mind if you want to.

    I tried the advice to eat a square of really good chocolate. That left me wanting more. Then I started buying Skinny Cow chocolates...they are pretty tasty for only 120ish calories. Then I started eating chocolate covered protein bars instead for dessert to up my protein. For 190 calories I consider it a good investment. And I rarely touch the rest of the chocolate in our house (I keep a halloween jar in a too-high cabinet for the kids to have once in a while....it requires a step stool, which makes me think twice most days).

    As far as using the allergy excuse, I wouldn't do that. When I'm passing on food, I just say "no thanks." No need to explain. I've noticed many of my skinniest friends will say "ugh, I'm soooo full!". That works, too.
  • sthoms2
    sthoms2 Posts: 41 Member
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    I also love chocolate. I can't imagine giving it up but I can't have it in the house either. I treat myself with a little chocolate bar when I go to Trader Joe's. If I but more than one serving I will eat it all in a day or two. I feel that way about a lot of treats (cake, cookies, ice cream, chips). Best thing for me is to not have any of it in my house. I know I have no self control!
  • MarziPanda95
    MarziPanda95 Posts: 1,326 Member
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    I guess if it helps you, then best of luck. But I think that at some point in your life, you'll want chocolate again. Maybe not in one year or two years or five years... but eventually. At that point, it would be nice if you could learn to have it in moderation. In fact, it's usually a lot easier to learn to have something in moderation if you don't have it for a while.
  • KDCrocker
    KDCrocker Posts: 12 Member
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    I don’t post a lot of comments, but this hits pretty close to home. I would definitely say I have a disordered relationship with chocolate and reading the OP’s plan both inspires and scares the hell out of me. Some days it’s almost as if 50% of my day is spent thinking about chocolate: buying it, what kind, how I’m going to attempt to ‘moderate’ myself this time, etc. I’ve tried cutting it out and end up with a textbook binge session. I’ve tried buying dark chocolate, I don’t eat it quite as fast, but when I start to feel deprived enough I end up eating it all in a few sittings too (who am I kidding, I usually eat most of it while standing in front of the pantry, once piece at a time as I tell myself “this one is the last one I’ll have today”). My husband even suggested a competition when he was quitting smoking, that I should also give up chocolate so I could see how he felt. I flat out said ”No”. I absolutely knew he would win because I couldn’t imagine going the rest of my life without chocolate.

    I’ve sometimes wondered if I’m not subconsciously addicted to the mood boosting effects, that it somehow combats the bouts of depression and anxiety I’ve experienced. Heaven knows those are the times when moderation seems almost impossible. I’m also really fascinated by the earlier comment about chocolate cravings being a sign of a magnesium deficiency. At this point I’ll try anything so I’ll be looking for supplements tonight.
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
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    Just curiosity, but does it matter if it's milk chocolate or really dark chocolate? Do you binge on both types? Is it just chocolate, or chocolate flavored things too, like hot chocolate?

    ETA - Chocolate is also a very common allergy and there are a lot of people who actually can't have it. That will make it easier on you when people offer it and you say you can't have it. People will just assume and you won't have to explain. :)

    Just as long as you don't lie and claim to have an allergy! I ended up in the ER because some pendeja didn't take my food allergy seriously.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
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    I don't think there's anything wrong with cutting something out temporarily or even permanently if you do have a reason to do so (which is up to you).

    I personally think there's something wrong with lying to yourself or telling yourself you don't (or shouldn't?) like something that you in fact do like. I just generally think it's better to be honest with myself, and besides that it's approaching what I've seen some people do--tell themselves something they love is "disgusting," which tends to end up with them falling off the wagon (or whatever) eventually and indulging and then not only being more likely to binge, but feeling really shameful and horrible, because they must be disgusting to want something so disgusting.

    Thus, for me it's actually important to try to approach food as logically as possible (which I've found makes it usually not too hard to be moderate). To be truthful with myself about what I like (and what I eat for reasons that seem to go beyond taste or nutrition--comfort stuff), and also to understand the nutritional aspect and to prioritize that, not just what I enjoy. (Although I also make sure everything I eat is as delicious as possible.)

    Anyway, just some thoughts. You're a grown up and can decide for yourself what to do.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
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    A life without chocolate is a life I don't want to live.
    I think you're wrong about that.

    I bet if you were actually told that you needed to change your eating habits or die - you'd choose to live.
  • jessathemessa
    jessathemessa Posts: 65 Member
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    I gotta say, I'm pretty much the same with potato chips. Except that after a couple, they aren't even that good, but I still eat a totally ridiculous amount. The only time I have potato chips now are in those little single serving bags, and I very rarely eat them. My boyfriend knows this and will only buy chips that I don't like, which I really appreciate! So as much as I was shocked at first when reading your post, I think I definitely understand. Maybe some day it will be something you can eat in moderation.
  • mygnsac
    mygnsac Posts: 13,413 Member
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    Good luck! For me it's weird. It seems the older I get (I'm 50 now) the less I like chocolate.
  • besee_2000
    besee_2000 Posts: 365 Member
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    Keep at it OP! I have a lot of trigger foods I have yet to come to terms with. I keep thinking "Oh, it won't happen this time." At the moment, I have been practicing mindfulness to help keep me from getting swallowed up in the whole ordeal. Your chart system keeps you held accountable which rocks! I personally have been using HabitRPG.com . Its a silly but effective way for gamers, like myself, to get things done and keep on track. This has kept me flossing like a boss and my fish doesn't starve!

    DOWN WITH CHOCOLATE!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
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    I'm not thinking I can't eat it ever again -- I'm thinking I don't want to eat it ever again.

    Whoa! That's deep! :D

    Just kidding. :)

    Serioulsy, if you love it so much why would you want to cut it out forever?
  • besee_2000
    besee_2000 Posts: 365 Member
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    SLLRunner wrote: »

    Serioulsy, if you love it so much why would you want to cut it out forever?
    Eat it and instantly gain 5 lbs back after a binge. She could but her decision seems sound to me.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
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    It works for you and leaves more chocolate for the rest of us.

    Win/win.

    Yes, that is true. I LOVE chocolate.
  • jaga13
    jaga13 Posts: 1,149 Member
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    SLLRunner wrote: »
    I'm not thinking I can't eat it ever again -- I'm thinking I don't want to eat it ever again.

    Whoa! That's deep! :D

    Just kidding. :)

    Serioulsy, if you love it so much why would you want to cut it out forever?

    Because she evidently is sick of loving something that doesn't love her back.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
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    Bacchants wrote: »

    However, the trying to make yourself not like something you clearly like seems somewhat disordered. Have you thought about talking to someone about your relationship with food/chocolate in particular? I wonder if the trigger to binge on chocolate goes a bit deeper.

    Also as a footnote I've been trying to get myself to like mushrooms for a long time, and still hate the damm things.

    Thank you. This is along the line of what I meant when I said thinking you can't have something forever is disordered thinking, especially when it's something you love.

    I hear liver is really good for you due to the iron in it, but I hate it. There is not way I will try to make myself like it just because it has lots of iron. In fact, I don't eat it because I don't like it.

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,669 Member
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    Dang, that's like life without sex to me. Although females are much better at holding out than men, so good luck.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • mrsgoodwine
    mrsgoodwine Posts: 468 Member
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    I use to love chocolate, but my taste buds have changed with age (I'm 55). It's not my trigger food anymore. In fact, it will sometimes make me feel yucky. My favorite now is plain old refreshing vanilla ice cream - but I don't feel the need to have it every day, thankfully. OP, you may find the same applies to you some day.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,988 Member
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    KDCrocker wrote: »
    ... I’m also really fascinated by the earlier comment about chocolate cravings being a sign of a magnesium deficiency. At this point I’ll try anything so I’ll be looking for supplements tonight.

    You may find this article about the different types of magnesium helpful: https://drnibber.com/understanding-different-types-of-magnesium/
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,988 Member
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    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Bacchants wrote: »

    However, the trying to make yourself not like something you clearly like seems somewhat disordered. Have you thought about talking to someone about your relationship with food/chocolate in particular? I wonder if the trigger to binge on chocolate goes a bit deeper.

    Also as a footnote I've been trying to get myself to like mushrooms for a long time, and still hate the damm things.

    Thank you. This is along the line of what I meant when I said thinking you can't have something forever is disordered thinking, especially when it's something you love.

    I hear liver is really good for you due to the iron in it, but I hate it. There is not way I will try to make myself like it just because it has lots of iron. In fact, I don't eat it because I don't like it.

    Did you remember the bacon? I hated liver when Mom made it when I was a kid but have since learned that you're supposed to cook it with bacon so will give that a try in the near future.

    baconmakeseverythingbaby_fullpic.jpg