Anyone participating in Lent this year?

We are fairly devout Catholics and we will do all of the obligatory penances: fasting, prayer,and almsgiving. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday fasts are a given, along with meatless Fridays, and our voluntary penances. "What are you giving up this year?" is a common topic in our house right now.

I always look forward to lent. In my mind the practice of giving something up for lent is a spiritual practice, specifically designed to deprive us of some lesser good so that we may focus on the greater Good.

In the past I have made the mistake of being to aggressive in my penances. I have struggled with how to "fast" when I have already been in a calorie deficit -- wasn't I already "fasting"? Last year I gave up all eating after dinner and I was a cantankerous wreck by Easter. It didn't work the way I intended - it had almost the opposite effect of making me focus on the penance instead of God. And after the Vigil mass I stuffed myself.

This year I plan to give up handheld electronic entertainment: no Jetpack Joyride, Plants vs Zombies, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Instead I will read actual books with my free time, including some spiritual reading. I may add in a minor diet-based penance: maybe I'll give up snacks one day a week or something like that.

I'm not Catholic but am Christian and marking Lent has been part of my tradition.

I might try "Buy Nothing New". I've done that once before. It really makes me realize how consumer focused we are.

I also do a daily study/reflection.

Or tongue in cheek-I could always give up smoking, chocolate or sex. Chocolate gives me migranes. I haven't eaten it for over 40 years. I'm asthmatic and have never smoked-and sex -well not in a committed relationship.

I don't give up food for Lent anymore, since for me it does tend to become a diet rather than a chance to reflect and repent. I usually give up facebook and limit my screen time.

I actually used Lent last year to kick start my road to fitness. I gave up soda, chocolate, pork, and beef. All chosen to make me think more about what I was consuming and to force better choices.

I didn't count calories during Lent, but I went straight from Easter to Fitbit / MFP, which I think made the transition much smoother than it may have been otherwise.

I'm planning on using this Lent to step up my game as I'm currently on a 4-month plateau.

Best of luck to all observing the Lenten season!

I give up being a catholic for lent.

I'm not catholic, but I am Christian, and like the reasoning behind it, so I typically do give something up.

Last year I gave up soda, and was actually pretty successful at it.

This year I'm thinking either chocolate (one of my biggest weaknesses), or maybe all fast food / coffee and then try to do something good with the money I would've spent on it.

Are all the sarcastic caustic comments from non religious people necessary? Theres a thousand other threads to comment on.... it doesnt have to be here if you're only interested in being a douche, just dont comment! Trolls.

It's obvious that this thread strikes a deep nerve with some people--why? I ask. Putting up with their comments and reflecting on why they need to do this is part of MY Lenten pennance.

Nope kinda like a New years resolution

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never stick to it. Why bother?

Why bother? If you are a practicing Christian you want to prepare yourself for Easter, which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. Easter is the greatest holy day of the Christian year.

Christians prepare by fasting & abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday, and abstaining from meat on all Fridays. They participate in Lenten prayers and services, do penance, and almsgiving (donating money & goods to the poor) and do other works of charity, and other acts of self-discipline. :flowerforyou:

Seriously, people look on a religious thing as a diet aid?

Eugh.

I will be giving up chocolate for Lent - have done this for several years , ie well before I started on my weight loss journey 12 months ago.
I eat chocolate fairly often and fit it into my calories and have met my weight loss goal - giving it up is not a diet aid for me, it is about a small sacrifice of giving up something I enjoy, teaches me not to take luxuries for granted and to practice some self control in a measured way.

I gave up tea and coffee a few years ago which was brutal! This year I'll do something which will tie-in with losing a bit of weight. Maybe sweets and chocolate.