Did I say I love chocolate?
Did I say I was addicted to chocolate?
Did I say that not having chocolate for a month would be my biggest challenge?

Last night, Day#1 of my November Challenge, I faced my first real test. I always make Jennifer a cup of tea after dinner, and we usually sit down to watch telly – with a bar (or two) of chocolate with the cup of tea.

Last night I had to hand over a bar (or two) of chocolate to Jennifer with her cup of tea – and not have any myself.

We usually have Whittaker’s chocolate, made in New Zealand – and it’s delicious. Last night’s chocolate was Pear with Manuka Honey. Can you really think of anything more yummy than that?

I can’t.
It was difficult.
But I met the test.
I abstained.

This morning I did my walk again. I did 4.14km in 51mins. A bit faster than yesterday. My knee twinged worryingly for the first km or so, then it settled down.

Interestingly, I dropped 0.7kg over the 24hr period. I’m not altering my eating – going on a diet as such – other than abstaining from added salt and sugar. We’ll see if this is a continual thing.

Tomorrow is a travel day. I’m either going to have to get up early and do my walk before we leave, or do it at the end of the day.

Already though I’m noticing benefits. I feel my back getting stronger, and so too my core muscles. Given that I have two metal plates bolted into the lumbar region of my spine, holding two fractured vertebrae in place, back pain is an ongoing issue for me.

It has been since 1976 when I was a passenger in a film vehicle that crashed into a telegraph pole, putting me in the Spinal Unit of Royal North Shore Hospital for nearly three months. It was touch and go whether I’d be a quadraplegic.

That’s a whole other story.

For now, I’m Day#2 of my November Challenge, and enjoying it!