Giving up chocolate for Lent

stanmann571

passenger79 wrote: »

spzjlb wrote: »

I have a hard time understanding how giving up chocolate will bring someone closer to God, but whatever!

And I have hard time understanding why people have a need to argue it if they have nothing to contribute.

I have asked for others experiences as I haven't done 40 days before .
I have fasted and gone to church since I was little so I do know the reasons behind it.I haven't been able to carry that on once I moved away and haven't been maintaining same traditions as when I was living in my home country .



I also know that people often use Lent to challenge themselves and give up something they struggle with. It would never cross my mind to judge someone based on what they are giving up as basis of it all is to improve themselves.

So why are you judging?

If this is going to turn into" I'm closer to God than you are " religious argument lol I'm not taking part in it.

Here's the thing, Lent is a spiritual discipline, and your question as written is about weight loss and calorie reduction.

Crossing the streams takes it from an externally focused activity and makes it inward focused. So the real question is why are you actually giving up chocolate?

Packerjohn

Chocolate has never been a big thing for me. I decided 3 20 oz Diet Pepsis at work was too much, gave it up for Lent. Now only occasionally drink it with a meal out

Best of luck.

passenger79

stanmann571 wrote: »

passenger79 wrote: »

spzjlb wrote: »

I have a hard time understanding how giving up chocolate will bring someone closer to God, but whatever!

And I have hard time understanding why people have a need to argue it if they have nothing to contribute.

I have asked for others experiences as I haven't done 40 days before .
I have fasted and gone to church since I was little so I do know the reasons behind it.I haven't been able to carry that on once I moved away and haven't been maintaining same traditions as when I was living in my home country .



I also know that people often use Lent to challenge themselves and give up something they struggle with. It would never cross my mind to judge someone based on what they are giving up as basis of it all is to improve themselves.

So why are you judging?

If this is going to turn into" I'm closer to God than you are " religious argument lol I'm not taking part in it.

Here's the thing, Lent is a spiritual discipline, and your question as written is about weight loss and calorie reduction.

Crossing the streams takes it from an externally focused activity and makes it inward focused. So the real question is why are you actually giving up chocolate?

I am already maintaining deficit and I 've lost 5.5lbs since I 've restarted which I'm happy with .

I want to learn how to discipline myself better and control my urges and ultimately look after myself better as I don't think I am doing it right if I waste 500 cal a day on chocolate and then feel hungry when I could be eating more nutritious food and looking after myself better.

What I didn't realize it will start an argument and that I'll have to justify myself, I was asking for experiences. Hundreds and thousands of people give up things for Lent and I wanted to learn more about it but boy do some people like to woo and judge.

If anyone can see my posts or comments on the forum they can see I don't follow any fad diets or plan to replace chocolate with a spoonful of coconut oil chased by ACV shot lol I was asking for experiences .

I'm no stranger to fasts either and probably have more experience in it then some(and a lot more stricter!) but I was asking for advice on fighting physical urges not having to prove my religious beliefs.

passenger79

Anyways thanks to everyone who took time to share their experiences I appreciate it.

I have no intention to take part in any arguments so I won't comment on those posts as I don't see the point.

Thanks again

ladyhusker39

I think the additional religious commitment could be helpful in giving you even more reason to stick with it. I don't see any particular downside.

JustinHeasman

We always give something up for lent in our household. This year I'm going for "Treats" Going to miss those things. Good luck.

me0231

Personally, I think if you want to do it for religious reasons go for it, but if it's more about health/calorie reasons I wouldn't do it. Being in a deficit is hard enough (also depends on how long you've been at it), willpower is a finite resource so why stress yourself out more. If you simply feel that you have too much chocolate, I'd work on a plan to reduce it. Maybe have it every other day or something like that and don't add any more stress onto your life. YMMV

MamaMc3

I have not given up chocolate, but I did give up my beloved Pepsi (all soda actually) last fall. I still miss it, but it's a trigger food for me. When I have one, I want one more . . . and then I want chips, sweets, etc. to go with it. You can definitely give up chocolate if you want to badly enough, but it will be a challenge. My suggestion is to find other snacks you enjoy to take it's place - maybe fruit, a handful of almonds, or sugar free pudding? That way you don't feel super deprived! Good luck to you!

lynn_glenmont

passenger79 wrote: »

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

Not sure what it has to do with Lent, but if you feel like experimenting I guess go for it?

Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday people give up something like alcohol,sweets or whatever they want to cut down really as a challenge for 40 days .
I 've never done it before but yes thinking about giving it a go.

Lent is meant to be a spiritual exercise, not a self-improvement course or a diet aid.

h1udd

lynn_glenmont wrote: »

Lent is meant to be a spiritual exercise, not a self-improvement course or a diet aid.

Easter is meant to be spiritual .. but a magical bunny hides chocolate for children in the garden

Christmas is meant to be spiritual .. but magical reindeer fly a man, that, lets face it, isnt logging his calories ! to give children presents whilst the rest of the world celebrate mass consumerism

shrove tuesday .... spiritual or pancake day ??

It would seem that for the majority of people, spiritual/religious events have become more of a social occasion than a religious one and taking lent for example, people use the motivation and dedication of others to better themselves by trying to cut out a vice that they feel is holding them back