What will you give up for Lent?

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Replies

  • thetiwi1890
    thetiwi1890 Posts: 239 Member
    All candy, sweets, cookies...
    Basically all nice food
    :drinker:
  • plcarpenter
    plcarpenter Posts: 83 Member
    I am giving up sugar, well refined sugar not naturally occuring sugar...bascially cookies, sugar in my coffee, candy, pies, cake, eating sugar out of the bag, etc. I am a sugar fiend, and if Jesus can wander the desert fasting for 40 days without temptation well I should give it a try.

    For Lent I usually cheat, and "give up" my time and volunteer but this time I'm trying something really hard. My 12 year old gave up chocolate one year, I was blown away at her commitment...she was going to give up TV this year but quickly back peddled on that one.
  • opal24
    opal24 Posts: 205 Member
    I'm not into any of the religious connotations of Lent, but it seems to me that it's a really good time to practise abstinence from something. Having given up wine and replaced it with diet Coke, it's now the turn of the Coke to hit the road. I'll put a jug of water in the fridge tonight and that will be my drink of choice for the next while.
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    I just finished reading Max Lucado's book "3:16 The Numbers of Hope" and it was so good. A reminder that what I really need to give up are my rights to my self (I must decrease and He must increase) There is a 40 day devotional at the back of the book and I am going to try to spend a portion of each day during Lent reflecting on His love for me and how, although I can never repay Him, I can only accept His perfect gift and let Him govern my actions and my thoughts. If I am more Christ-centric, even my bad eating habits will fall upon the altar of His love.
  • charm_quark
    charm_quark Posts: 315 Member
    Lent... isn't it this church thing that you have to stay away some days from some particular kind of foods? The Greek orthodox church says about not eating meat, cheese, milk, all kind of dairy products, for 40 days! And the last 7 you also must stay away from oil (any kind!).
    But... I'm not such a believer! :laugh: :laugh:
    So I won't give up anything!!!
    I gave up smoking last year and that's all for me!!!

    Also I falled in love the last days with frozen yogurt and I can't stop having one because of a god that I don't know if he exists!!!!:happy: :happy: :happy:
  • Lib_B
    Lib_B Posts: 446 Member
    Due to lack of weight loss this week - I am giving up hope for Lent...;-(

    i don't know if i should lol or go 'awwwwww.' Don't give up hope if that is truly how you are feeling. Plateau's happen. Keep up the work and it will pay off!!!
  • robot_potato
    robot_potato Posts: 1,535 Member
    I'm giving up my 'special' pants. For 46 days I will not wear the jeans that so nicely squish my fat into nice looking body parts. I will make my belly, butt& thighs look good without the aid of the beloved pants. I'm not so much giving something up as giving something back to myself.
  • mjbrenner
    mjbrenner Posts: 222 Member
    I don't really get the need that some people have to make snide remarks in a thread about discussing a religious/spiritual/self-betterment practice. It's totally okay that you do not share this particular belief structure with some others on MFP, but why go out of your way to rain on someone else's parade?

    I try to both give something up and do something better better for Lent. This year, my abstinence will be from the "little cheats" that occur many days. Hopefully, forty days will be enough to develop the lack of cheating as a habit. For my service, I will try to get a real workout five days each week. I know that my actions are inspirational to those who look up to me, so I should be putting forth my best effort.
  • Lib_B
    Lib_B Posts: 446 Member
    I think "giving up" puts a negative spin on lent. I try to add something during lent. Like wishing 3 people good morning every day. That way it's positive.

    I am not catholic, nor have i ever been, but i thought you were supposed to give up something for baby jesus that you do often so everytime you wanted to do it, it reminded you of him.....or god.....or the devil.....or mary magdeline? I dunno, but I always heard it was you were supposed to give up something
    No, a lot of people mistakenly believe you have to give something up...but you can "add something" instead, such as volunteering or performing other kind or selfless acts instead of forsaking something.

    I was raised Catholic (but am not practicing), but this much I do know....

    The idea is that you are supposed to sacrifice something as Jesus sacrificed for us. Even if that means flipping it to be positive - it's going out of your way to do something that isn't in your ordinary routine. For example, if you volunteer, you are still sacrificing time. If you give money, you are sacrificing something you could have bought, etc. etc. etc. It's just supposed to be a meditation of sorts to remind us of what was given up for us.
  • purpletrillium
    purpletrillium Posts: 124
    I'm giving up taking the elevator at work. My co-workers and I did this last year. We walk up or down the 5 flights of stairs to our office. Anyone caught using the elevator must pay a 25 cent fine. We raised $15 for our Children's hospital last year.
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    I am giving up sugar, well refined sugar not naturally occuring sugar...bascially cookies, sugar in my coffee, candy, pies, cake, eating sugar out of the bag, etc. I am a sugar fiend, and if Jesus can wander the desert fasting for 40 days without temptation well I should give it a try.

    For Lent I usually cheat, and "give up" my time and volunteer but this time I'm trying something really hard. My 12 year old gave up chocolate one year, I was blown away at her commitment...she was going to give up TV this year but quickly back peddled on that one.
    I gave up chocolate for a year and what it helped me to do was to say "no" more than "yes" to my chocolate obsession post-fast (I tried giving up sugar for a year, but didn't quite make a year on that! LOL)
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    I don't really get the need that some people have to make snide remarks in a thread about discussing a religious/spiritual/self-betterment practice. It's totally okay that you do not share this particular belief structure with some others on MFP, but why go out of your way to rain on someone else's parade?

    I try to both give something up and do something better better for Lent. This year, my abstinence will be from the "little cheats" that occur many days. Hopefully, forty days will be enough to develop the lack of cheating as a habit. For my service, I will try to get a real workout five days each week. I know that my actions are inspirational to those who look up to me, so I should be putting forth my best effort.
    *Like*
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    Well............I gave up smoking last year and I already cut right down on bread as I binge on it and cant stop at one slice, so I think I wil be giving up peanut butter as I could eat the whole jar with a teaspoon given the chance!!! Also thinking biscuits and chocolate, choccy is my other trigger food...but then I wouldnt have any treats at all to look forward to! Roll on pancake day tomorrow...............LOVE IT!
    Is the picture on your ticker a picture of Ailsa Craig?
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    I'm also going to give up all take-out and fast food. On the occasions where I do binge, these tend to be what I choose. They're officially going to be out from and during Lent and hopefully for a long time, except maybe a one off treat from them on.

    On the other hand, I may have a take-out tonight as a last supper =D

    Actually, I refuse to ruin the progress that I've made today, so I won't!
    Kudos!
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    To the people on here making jokes that you are giving up religion, or some other snide comment... why do you even click on topics like this? Find something that does intrest you, or a better use of your time.

    I will be giving up cursing, and will do some type of food as well... but haven't decided what as of yet. Happy Lenten Season to all!

    To add to the snide comments, this topic shouldn't even be on here since its about religion.
  • hajenkatt
    hajenkatt Posts: 331 Member
    im going to give up takeaway food /fast food/ eating out for 6 weeks

    Same here. Our whole family is giving it up. It will make my kids more mindful that take out is a treat & not a priviledge.
  • rbeatty63
    rbeatty63 Posts: 132
    Planing a Daniel fast. Basically vegan, but stricter. No white rice, no white flour, no bread, no dairy, no eggs, only veggies, legumes, fruits and nuts. 1200 cals per day max.
    I'm in awe! You go Kiddo! I always want to try that, but I know I would never stick the committment and to me that is worse than not giving anything up. Proud for you!
  • asgard825
    asgard825 Posts: 1,516 Member
    I'm giving up taking the elevator at work. My co-workers and I did this last year. We walk up or down the 5 flights of stairs to our office. Anyone caught using the elevator must pay a 25 cent fine. We raised $15 for our Children's hospital last year.

    Like this idea
  • sttrinians
    sttrinians Posts: 94 Member
    One more day to decide. Let me know how you all get on.

    As for the people who are making an issue about this being religious don't. I'm sure you all eat pancakes today Shrove Tuesday, a religious festival, it doesn't stop you. This was meant as a bit of motivation for anyone who wanted to join in.
  • eatrunstretch
    eatrunstretch Posts: 233 Member
    I'm giving up crumbles with clotted cream! Good luck to you all :)
  • jamhamster
    jamhamster Posts: 98 Member
    The last 2 years i've given up facebook but since starting my weight loss I have joined a group on there and it's helping me with weekly weigh in's etc so I think I'm gonna give up chocolate and crisp's cause they are my biggest downfall
  • randa_behnam
    randa_behnam Posts: 488 Member
    i wrote on my status about giving up for lent and got moaned at about how its basically a load of rubbish.

    if your not going to participate then dont comment... simple.

    i do it every year because i am religious. this thread is to share common interests.

    i am giving up alcohol, luxuries like sweets and crisps and fizzy drinks and also will try to give up meat.

    theres nothing wrong with having faith and beliefs... dont mock those that do.
  • Lotte34
    Lotte34 Posts: 429 Member
    CARBS!
  • Lotte34
    Lotte34 Posts: 429 Member
    i wrote on my status about giving up for lent and got moaned at about how its basically a load of rubbish.

    if your not going to participate then dont comment... simple.

    i do it every year because i am religious. this thread is to share common interests.

    i am giving up alcohol, luxuries like sweets and crisps and fizzy drinks and also will try to give up meat.

    theres nothing wrong with having faith and beliefs... dont mock those that do.

    I am not religious in the slightest however I always give up something for lent as i think its as gooder time as any to cut back on something that isn't good for you.

    Don't listen to those that moan about your faith, even we athiests have faith in somethings even if those things arent God
  • cockneypaul
    cockneypaul Posts: 52 Member
    SEX - oh no forgot the wife has already made that choice for me. lol
  • simples88
    simples88 Posts: 51
    I drink far too much diet coke/pepsi. From today it is gone! I'm not religious but great opportunity as I've been cutting back for a while so this is the official goodbye!
  • tashajayne2011
    tashajayne2011 Posts: 288
    I am not a christian but I will be giving up chinese takeaway food and coca cola for lent. This is going to be HARD for me
  • Firefighter_Jay
    Firefighter_Jay Posts: 426 Member
    SEX - oh no forgot the wife has already made that choice for me. lol

    Just because the wife has stopped having sex, doesn't mean you have too. A little bit of strange mixes things up a little :). Just sayin.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    I'm that person who sits back with my whiskey, coffee, chocolate, and popcorn during lent and watches everyone else get cranky.
  • Dootzy1
    Dootzy1 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Maybe, in addition to the sacrificial "giving up" , we might give of ourselves more generously. Be more attentive, in the moment in our conversations, maybe be less preoccupied! I am going to try to make small steps towards less self-absorption" and more in tune with others and their needs. To really make it sacrificial, we could look for ways to extend a kindness to someone anonymously! Blessings on all.
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