Lent anyone?

Magic_Chicken

every year my mum gives up chocolate for lent and drops weight from it. Im thinking of trying lent this year but for me giving up chocolate isnt really a challenge, im thinking of giving up crisps as I crave them all the time and sometime eat like 3 packs in a day.

xoxMelissa

I'm giving up fizzy drinks and naps!
I sleep way too much, and I'm sure there are a tonne of unhealthy chemicals in the diet drinks I have.

novembersuse

I'm giving up sweet things! No sweets, chocolate, ice-cream, sugary drinks, biscuits cakes etc.

Although it is only day 1....

PriscillaLaine

I'm (like most years) giving up bread! It's seriously my biggest vice.

About 5/6 years ago I gave up meat for lent and never looked back. Best thing I've done!

charissh

I'm giving up desserts. It's gonna be hard on a weekend not having any cheesecake but I think it'll save me a good few calories

Onyikwu

I used to be catholic but not anymore due to marriage though i remain one @heart.
im giving up bread, rice, sugar, alchohol, beef, chicken and fizzy drinks. i pray i can do this, im going to try that with all d strenght in me.
I love bread!!!

shartran

I'm giving up giving up

LOL

gabbymom2

I am Catholic and I thimk its more doable to focus on gving up one item or one class. I am giving up " the white devil" which is bread, sugar, ect. Good luck.

EdTheGinge

I'm giving up giving up

Ooooops somebody beat me to it

SephiraRose

I'm catholic and I will abstain from meat today and all Fridays of lent. Going to give up pizza too. And trying to pray the Rosary every day. Blessings to all.

BethHanson

I am giving up Facebook, it causes me to waste to much time on the computer, once I check Facebook I get distracted and start searching the web and wasting time. I am also giving up the scale for Lent (weighing in only on Sundays, b/c these are not days of lent as every Sunday is a celebration of Christ's death and Resurrection) I tend to focus to much on what the scale says and not on how I feel and then the scale puts me in a sour mood the whole day.

33LoriEL

I am going to count calories during lent. I'll give up anything over that 1000 calorie mark.

Go_Mizzou99

Liquor.

RUGGEDGerit

I have practiced Lent for years, really appreciate 6 weeks of self discipline. Every year I give up sugar. But then every year I also give up something else. This year, all diet pop, and eating out. I also agree with the person who wrote about doing something good as well as giving something up. I am increasing my workouts, and cleaning the house during Lent.

Whether you are religious or not, six weeks of self discipline is good for your soul.

MrsGraves1987

I'm using Lent as an excuse to make changes for my well being - I don't mean to offend anyone by 'using' Lent - it just seems like great motivation for me :-)

So I am 'giving up' added and processed Sugar, and following a food plan from Sugar busters. I like the fact it includes Sweet potatoes - as I love my potatoes!! I eat way too much sugar and processed food, and I'd like to use the 40days as a trial period - to see what benefits (if any) I see / feel.

Anyway, good luck to all

99clmsntgr

Catholics only give up red/chicken meats on Fridays and tomorrow (Ash Wednesday).

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) are days of both abstinence (no meat, only fish for your "protein" source) and fasting (two small snacks and one "full meal" are all that is allowed). Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. And, if I remember correctly what I learned in CCD, it used to be for all of Lent, not just Fridays. Hence Mardi Gras signifying the end of the pre-Lenten carnival, ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Carnival, derived from the latin carne vale[/] or "farewell to meat.

In the days of "the old Church" (for lack of a better term), meat was a commodity typically only afforded by the wealthy. Fish and seafood was the food of the poor (remember the adage "give a man a fish...") - those who couldn't afford meat would fish for their daily sustenance, eating whatever they could bring in that day. The sacrifice of abstaining from meat is intended to remind one of the blessings they do have.

The practice of "giving something up" is encouraged by the Church, but not a strict enforcement. It does, however, have some basis in Church practices from long ago. Traditionally during that era the Catholic Church performed the Rites of Initiation (i.e. adult Baptism) at Easter. For 40 days (and Sundays don't count, which is why Lent is actually 46 days long), those seeking Indoctrination into the Church were required to show acts of penance and sacrifice to prepare their mind, body and soul for accepting the Church. Hence the colloquial "giving something up for Lent."

It should be noted, however, this is meant to be something to promote inner spiritual growth and to be a true sacrifice. "I'm giving up chocolate!" while a noble and commendable effort, isn't really the point. It's meant to be something that helps you become a better person in general, or, as the Church would say, closer to God. Think "not yelling at your kids" or "performing an act of Charity each day during Lent" or something like that.

ChaplainHeavin

I'm not Catholic either, but I've done it in years past. Approximately 40 days before Easter I would give up something to honor God and spend extra time in prayer and Bible reading. He delivered me from Pepsi addiction one year. Every time I've done it, I have come away closer to God and "revived". I'm thinking about giving up bread, rice & pasta this year. I don't just do it for Fridays but for every day until the end. Although it may be good for my body, I choose to do it to benefit my soul.

Amen, lady, amen. I'm giving up wine.

Gemzzz12

I'm giving up chocolate and cake! In the job I recently started I get a 20 minuit break which is during the time dinner normally is and all they have is vending machines so I have started buying chocolate bars which is bad! :P So lent has come at the perfect time I once gave up cheese for lent which was really good as I started making loads of dinners with cheese in it so I found out new tasty recipes without cheese!

Go_Mizzou99

I'm not Catholic either, but I've done it in years past. Approximately 40 days before Easter I would give up something to honor God and spend extra time in prayer and Bible reading. He delivered me from Pepsi addiction one year. Every time I've done it, I have come away closer to God and "revived". I'm thinking about giving up bread, rice & pasta this year. I don't just do it for Fridays but for every day until the end. Although it may be good for my body, I choose to do it to benefit my soul.

^^^This^^^

Every day for me as well. Every time I want the liquor I gave up for Lent, it will make me think of God.

Smamfa

Alcohol!!!

mamabanana

I am not a practicing catholic, but this year I will test myself by giving up bread and red meat. and I think it will be a good thing to do during this weight loss journey. BTW, I enjoyed my cheat meal yesterday, although I didn't over indulge, Pancake day (shrove Tuesday) is one of my fav holidays and was extra motivated this morning to see I lost 2 more lbs since last weeks weigh-in! BooYah!:happy:

luvclay10

I have been on this weight loss venture since Jan. there really isn't anything i can give up! i already given up carbs, and fats of all kind. I usually only have one glass of wine a week. So i think i will give up behaviors that are not so nice, like road rage? i will try to do small acts of kindness like maybe feeing and expired meter?

JONZ64

Coffee, I give it up every year AND it is VERY hard to do

My teenage son gives up Facebook! Yup FB!!!

Happymelz

I'm not Catholic, but I do think giving up something that is hard for you to give up to spend more time focusing on God is a good idea.
A few years ago I gave up Walmart (had a serious addiction).
This year I'm giving up my go to "bad day foods" because when I have a bad day I should focus on God, not food.

I'm giving up Donuts and Mac n Cheese.

tekwriter

I am an Episcopalian. We do honor Lent by the study and preparation. I grew up in New Orleans which is primarily Catholic and the old ways of giving something up were practiced. I am giving up cursing. It will be hard.

amgreenwell

Thanks for the post. I'm glad to know there are others out there observing Lent and really giving it their all. I'm making positive change and attending the Stations of the Cross every wednesday after work to reflect on what this season is about. I hope to see everyone on this string after Easter with results of their new 40-day habits.

ekztawas

I was raised Catholic but haven't practiced in a few years. I struggle with some of the Church's teachings, but that's a completely different topic.

Last year I gave up stairs and escalators. It was AWESOME. I'm doing it again this year.

LOUEvoLOUtion

I'm giving up Social networking...and turning it into a positive by contacting firends and family more by phone. i am terrible at keeping in touch and small talk is a real struggle for me.
My husband and i are also giving up takeaway food - which means anything that is brought into the house cooked and ready to eat! We do not eat a lot of them, however weekends are treat weekend which usually undoes all the hard work from the week!

i've been contemplating giving up alcohol too - I don't drink a lot but it will definately do me some good...the only problem is people start to suspect you are pregnant, especially as my best friend has just announced it! Easter Sunday will be messy if I give up booze - that'll proove them wrong I guess!

ecogranny

:drinker:

Normally I give up something for lent - 34 years ago it was cigarettes and I haven't smoked since. That was when we lived inHong Kong and cigarettes were huge and so cheap and everybody smoked. I am so thankful I did. Whenever I give up something for lent I usually put a couple of Euros in tin each day I resist and at the end of the 40 days of lent give something to charity. Normally one of our 3 kids give up something for lent too so it helps having a buddy to moan to /cheer up. Wine is the hardest to give up as it's part of life here in France so I might do that ......except on Sundays if that's OK.

yolandajw

I am joining you for lent. I am not Catholic but I am giving up red meat, soft drinks (water only), and sweets. I know its a but we can do this. Lets keep each other encouraged.