Yet another thread about Lent...
fallingtrees
Posts: 220 Member
There have been several threads recently, asking what we're giving up for Lent. Some give up sweets, or alcohol, or something else, with the goal of maybe losing a few more pounds before Easter.
That's all very nice, but for me, somehow missing the point. Yes, I'd like to sport a nice new Easter dress on a nice new body, but that goal doesn't really fit what I consider to be the main point of self-sacrifice of Lent, which is to somehow learn something, to give up something, to make that journey through the wilderness.
I've decided that, in a spirit of gratitude for the gift of this body, and the comfort of not worrying about where my food comes from, that I would value each morsel, and ask myself: Do I really need to eat this? Can I stop now and still be satisfied?
Giving up, or limiting, unnecessary foods, and adding more intentional activity.
Here's the hard part to give up though:
I will free myself from the metrics, the daily obsession of adding every calorie, and---wait for it---
I will put the scale away.
So I will continue to check in, and keep an exercise log, but not seek external and artificial feedback.
Sundays, I will weigh in. But not daily.
Giving up the Right and Wrong, the daily grade-keeping of Calories In vs. Out seems heretical, and it may not result in weight loss, but I want to discover how to listen to this body.
That's all very nice, but for me, somehow missing the point. Yes, I'd like to sport a nice new Easter dress on a nice new body, but that goal doesn't really fit what I consider to be the main point of self-sacrifice of Lent, which is to somehow learn something, to give up something, to make that journey through the wilderness.
I've decided that, in a spirit of gratitude for the gift of this body, and the comfort of not worrying about where my food comes from, that I would value each morsel, and ask myself: Do I really need to eat this? Can I stop now and still be satisfied?
Giving up, or limiting, unnecessary foods, and adding more intentional activity.
Here's the hard part to give up though:
I will free myself from the metrics, the daily obsession of adding every calorie, and---wait for it---
I will put the scale away.
So I will continue to check in, and keep an exercise log, but not seek external and artificial feedback.
Sundays, I will weigh in. But not daily.
Giving up the Right and Wrong, the daily grade-keeping of Calories In vs. Out seems heretical, and it may not result in weight loss, but I want to discover how to listen to this body.
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Replies
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I have given up negativity. I will speak kindly about my body and positively about life :flowerforyou:0
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Love these. I agree that most people miss the point behind Lent. Inner reflection and self awareness is a great goal to strive for during lent. I also agree we sometimes let numbers and mechanical devices(scales) have too much control of how we feel. I think I will also give up negativity for lent.0
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I have given up negativity. I will speak kindly about my body and positively about life :flowerforyou:
Right on! Practice gratitude.0 -
Love these. I agree that most people miss the point behind Lent. Inner reflection and self awareness is a great goal to strive for during lent. I also agree we sometimes let numbers and mechanical devices(scales) have too much control of how we feel. I think I will also give up negativity for lent.
Exactly.
What am I learning if I just say, "Oh, I'm giving up Cheetos for Lent"? And then tell everybody about it...0
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