what to give up for LENT?

nixrun
nixrun Posts: 44
edited November 10 in Chit-Chat
I've been thinking about this for the last 2 weeks and I'm trying to figure out some good things I could give up for LENT this year. Even if you are non-religious it's 40 days to work on a bad habit or create good ones...unlike Valentine's day which serves absolutely no purpose.

I'm looking for things that are not so cliche...
I've given up drinking alcohol.
I've given up smoking.

I'm already doing these things, so it doesn't quite work for LENT this year.
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Replies

  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Give up something that is tangible and you re passionate about it. Something for which you truly enjoy and going without will be a challenge.
    For some, this could no data usage on their cell phones, or technology....becoming unplugged
    Others, it could be money...rather than spending on themselves, they donate their time and money to charitabele purposes.
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    Just a thought, and I'm not even Catholic, but I've seriously considered giving up bread. Not because of the carbs, but because I'm trying to watch my sodium and bread has quite a bit in it. And if I can get out of the habit of eating bread and just use healthier alternatives, why even go back to it?
  • Lusadi
    Lusadi Posts: 79
    Meat and dairy are the traditional restrictions. You could give a vegan lifestyle a try?
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
    I had to google what LENT was!
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    Others, it could be money...rather than spending on themselves, they donate their time and money to charitabele purposes.

    Oooo! That's good!
  • takingnameskickingbutt
    takingnameskickingbutt Posts: 231 Member
    I gave up Diet Coke for Lent a few years ago, and I seldom have it anymore!
  • AngelikaLumiere
    AngelikaLumiere Posts: 862 Member
    I am giving up being fat.
  • chocolateandvodka
    chocolateandvodka Posts: 1,850 Member
    sex.



    try it. i did. and on the 40th day it was *MAGICAL*
  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 36 Member
    My favorite? Sugar. To be specific no refine sugar. That means the only sugars you can touch is natural, fructose (fruit), Lactose (milk) and that's about it.

    Welcome to hell.
  • AshJasper
    AshJasper Posts: 51 Member
    what's something you spend a lot of money on on a daily or weekly basis? something that you could live without. like say every morning you go to Starbucks and spend five buck. instead of getting Starbucks(or whatever it is you're quitting) put that five bucks somewhere hidden everyday and at the end it will add up. donate it to a charitable cause or pay off some past due bills. =)
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    I'm giving up Lent for Lent. :bigsmile:
  • Lararivf
    Lararivf Posts: 1 Member
    Give out bad habits like watching television or navigating the web. Time that can be spent working out. Personally I am going to try a juice diet. Eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, some seeds and beans such as lentils and drink nothing but water.
  • Fred77
    Fred77 Posts: 132 Member
    i'm giving up pickled beetroot and prunes. it will be a real struggle, but hopefully i find the motivation to last the entire 40 days!
  • exerbeast
    exerbeast Posts: 17 Member
    For me, it's eating out and chocolate. This is going to be torture. Oh well, my friend is giving up all meats and I don't think I can go that far.
  • rachcamp88
    rachcamp88 Posts: 88 Member
    Alcohol, my friends do it every year and this year I've convinced my auntie,uncle and rather reluctant mum to stop drinking with me!
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    Hmmm I'm a Catholic but to be honest I'm really not that religious unlike my parents notably my Hispanic dad & his family. But if I were to give up something I think its avoiding saying foul languages or offensive words even if you're feeling angry to the bones. Its too difficult but its worth it.
  • Learning2LoveMe
    Learning2LoveMe Posts: 1,430 Member
    I have trouble staying in an exercise routine. So for lent I'm going to give up being lazy.... and exercise every day for 40 days.
  • living_loving_laughing2013
    living_loving_laughing2013 Posts: 233 Member
    A friend of mine last year gave up Facebook...I thought it was a bit silly, but hey it was her thing...
  • committomittxoxo
    committomittxoxo Posts: 339 Member
    Give up complaining!! :) It's harder than you think.. you don't realize how much people complain until you force yourself to stop.. "My feet hurt." "I'm tired." "Man, my mother-in-law's a b*tch." It's really freeing and is actually a productive way to "work" on yourself. Just an idea. :) Cheers! and good luck!
  • Liz915
    Liz915 Posts: 123
    I think I am going to give up chocolate. I love chocolate and I have it in some way at least every other day (now that I've started counting my calories, it's usually in the form of a Weight Watchers Ice cream bar, Skinny Cow treats, 100 calorie packs of chocolate covered pretzels, etc) it will be so hard but it's something I really want to do. I'm considering taking it a step further and giving up all desserts.We'll see
  • goldfinger88
    goldfinger88 Posts: 686 Member
    I don't believe in lint nor do I believe in intentionally giving up something for some ridiculous reason. But if you do, I'd give up something very important to you. Self-inflicted punishment is so unhealthy.
  • frosty73
    frosty73 Posts: 424 Member
    Not for Lent, but for a school project I gave up "modern cooking conveniences" for a week. After toasting a bagel over a campfire, I will *never* ever enjoy the smell of apple-wood again.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I'm giving up Lent for Lent. :bigsmile:
    I gave up Lent for Lent a couple of decades ago and I've never done it again.
  • Katiemarie4488
    Katiemarie4488 Posts: 242 Member
    I am giving up Pop (or Soda or Coke whatever part of the world you are in lol) I gave it up last year for lent, and stayed away from it until October when we went on a motorcycle trip, and there was nothing else to drink.... Once I had that first Sip of Pepsi Max, I was back, hooked on it lol

    So here we go again! Lets see if I can quit the sauce for good ;)
  • jojopel
    jojopel Posts: 348 Member
    Instead of giving something up, why don't you add something - helping out at a homeless shelter or at a food bank or helping out any charitable organization you support.
  • Sh1tsRainbows
    Sh1tsRainbows Posts: 1,227 Member
    I'm giving up Lent for Lent. :bigsmile:
    I gave up Lent for Lent a couple of decades ago and I've never done it again.

    THIS
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  • ludogx87
    ludogx87 Posts: 286 Member
    i was going to give up booze.... but then i realised old firm sunday is within lent (big football rival game for all you USA folks :)

    sooooo DECIDED that now is my lent and am not drinking untill old firm sunday :)


    last year i gave up fizzy juice and lasted about 5 days hahaha
  • wedjul05
    wedjul05 Posts: 472
    We, in work, are going to have a pre-lent binge!!!

    We are all going to bake over the weekend and gorge ourselves before next wednesday. One girl is going to make her fab oat biscuits, another is making caramel shortbread and me.....torte de cappacino.

    For lent, I am giving up ALL crap. No chocolate, biscuits or other bad item. I know I should be doing this already but hey, I still have the odd treat. I am just getting back on track with losing weight so it's a perfect time.

    If I do want something nice, I am going to bake it and hence cut down the salt/sugar and butter content.
  • kd_mazur
    kd_mazur Posts: 569 Member
    Instead of giving something up, why don't you add something - helping out at a homeless shelter or at a food bank or helping out any charitable organization you support.
    I was thinking the same thing! lol
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