To my MFP Catholic family

TrueBlueBruin78
TrueBlueBruin78 Posts: 311 Member
edited November 11 in Chit-Chat
Lent starts tomorrow for the Catholic community and I am an active Catholic so that means that Ash Wednesday means a day of fasting for me. I hope that i can do this. I know my faith will get me through it, but im only human, I think im just going to drink protein shakes throughout the day just so that i can function through the day. That is way less then what i would normally be eating. Is that cheating?

And we are asked to give up something as well, I am giving up red meat for this Lenten season.

What will you be giving up?

Replies

  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    Right now I'm just doing the traditional way of fasting & abstinence by not eating anything other than fish & veggies. But the thing is I love seafoods so another thing I do is to be more patient & control my temper.
  • rheamanda
    rheamanda Posts: 19 Member
    I am also attempting fasting for the first time. I have been Catholic my entire life by label only. Recently, I have made a stronger attempt to learn more about the religion I have been raised in. Pray for me.
  • HopeytheHopester
    HopeytheHopester Posts: 122 Member
    I've been Catholic ever since I was born. I'm giving up CHOCOLATE sweets becasue I love chocolate but I can't give up sweets entirely.
  • worldgirl28
    worldgirl28 Posts: 68
    I am having tuna for lunch and flounder for dinner. I had my usual protein shake + soy milk for breakfast. For snacks, I'm going with carrots and yogurt. For lent, I'm giving up unhealthy living and promising myself that I will make it to the gym for 40 straight days, not cheat on my food and not give up on myself. I figure now that I've got God involved, I've got a pretty big motivator lol
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I'm only 50% Catholic (other half Jewish, so quite the mix)

    Not giving anything up but I have vowed to do something active every single day of the 40 days.
  • AprilPayne24
    AprilPayne24 Posts: 68
    I'd like to give up chocolate too but I LOVE my SlimFast Chocolate Shakes in the morning so I decided to give up fast food. It should be a win-win. And my dedication is to attend Mass every week. I'd love to be able to do it. We shall see...
  • curvygirl512
    curvygirl512 Posts: 423 Member
    My blood sugar goes all wonky when I don't eat regularly, so I have to fast with modifications. I used to do a complete fast when I was younger. Can't do that anymore.

    I'm giving up dipping into the candy bowl at work. I need to be more disciplined. This . . . will be a challenge.

    I'm also commiting to saying my morning and evening prayers more regularly.

    + Peace
  • crodrigu73
    crodrigu73 Posts: 134 Member
    I am giving up weighing myself until good friday. I am exercising at least 30 minutes a day. I am going to mass every weekend even when my twins are misbehaving. I am going to pray more and ask for God's help in all that I do. I need to stop being lazy in my faith.
  • CharityEaton
    CharityEaton Posts: 499 Member
    not Catholic but Lutheran( pretty close and still follow very similar beliefs)
    I have chosen to give up ice cream in all forms..even frozen yogurt. I'm going to limit my sweets as much as I can....with the exclusion of a tiny bit of dark chocolate.
    I am taking baby steps here but plan on only weighing once a week instead of every day multiple times...I'm going to put my trust/faith where it should be and focus on my spirit and mind for the next 40 days!

    Good Luck to everyone, may the next 40 days go quickly for you!
  • mahjohweeee
    mahjohweeee Posts: 58 Member
    I'm going to attempt to give up carbs specifically bread, pasta, rice, and crackers. I don't eat a bad amount of it, but I figure I can replace eating those carbs with veggies etc.

    Does anyone have any suggestions for carb replacements?? I love tofu and beans etc but I wasn't sure what else I could eat. :)

    I'm also going to attempt to give up social media during the work day.. youtube, facebook, twitter. I found a google chrome extension called "Nanny" that allows me to block these sites during the day for a set amount of time. I'll only allow myself to log in at lunch time or if I am on the go (walking to meetings etc) .. on my phone. I also set it so I will only be allowed to use it for a total of 60 minutes in a day. Here's hoping I don't get the "shakes" lol.
  • jnbud2002
    jnbud2002 Posts: 216
    I have decided to give up sweets snacks like chocolate covered pretzel 100 cal snacks (any sweet 100 cal snacks that have chocolate), desserts like my fave, ice cream or froyo, and cakes (MIL makes cakes or any other delicious desserts on Saturday Family Din nights) I'm feeling good about this. Hubs is going to do it with me too. I am going to try and replace it with fresh fruits if I need me a sweet snack.
    Good luck to us all! We can totally do this!
  • ❤lindsay❤dawn❤
    ❤lindsay❤dawn❤ Posts: 443
    I'm giving up the snooze button for 15 extra minutes of exercise and making sure I get both of my workouts in every day... : D
  • sleepy7
    sleepy7 Posts: 104
    I am giving up chocolate
  • miss_missa07
    miss_missa07 Posts: 170
    I'm "fasting" today for Ash Wednesday by only eating three small meals and no snacks. For the season, though, we are giving up fast food and are going to eat vegetarian once a week in addition to no meat on Fridays. Should be interesting.
  • Iris1415
    Iris1415 Posts: 21 Member
    Fasting doesn't necessarily mean that you are giving up EVERY SINGLE BIT of food. You can give up a majority of what you eat for a day; I think God would understand that your health is important. Plus, at least you are recognizing God and worshiping Him.. :) Personally, I love Lent. It makes me dedicated to do things I have been meaning to do for ages, but just haven't mustered up the strength to actually do. Going to be eating healthier and am giving up Rage Comics for Lent. I know, I know, what a nerd, but I can't help it! Bless all :smooched:
  • Boingo1
    Boingo1 Posts: 205 Member
    I'm also giving up "bad" chocolate. But for the first time in a very very long time, I'm fasting today.

    I'll eat one "normal" meal for supper, meatless. But the rest of the day I'll just eat lighter snacks. Definitely will include a protein shake though.

    I'm a little nervous about fasting too! Trying to concentrate on God when my stomach hurts.
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    Lent starts tomorrow for the Catholic community and I am an active Catholic so that means that Ash Wednesday means a day of fasting for me. I hope that i can do this. I know my faith will get me through it, but im only human, I think im just going to drink protein shakes throughout the day just so that i can function through the day. That is way less then what i would normally be eating. Is that cheating?

    And we are asked to give up something as well, I am giving up red meat for this Lenten season.

    What will you be giving up?

    I too am giving up red meat as well as pork. Only poultry and fish for me this season. Because I am hypoglycemic, I cannot "Fast" on Ash Wednesday, but I am eating no meat today (including no fish) to observe the holiday.
  • JCN_1103
    JCN_1103 Posts: 63
    I'm also Lutheran. I have no intentions of fasting today. Rather than giving something up, I'm going to be active for the 40 days.
  • Deeranged1
    Deeranged1 Posts: 46 Member
    Giving up pasta!
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    I decided I do not want to put anything in my "did I really need that" part of my food diary. - this usually contains food when I am going to go over my cals, cookies and desserts and alcohol. So basically when I don't need it. I am not giving up chocolate because trader joe's has a chocolate oat bar and some granola bars have chocolate and I use them for snacks while skiing and such - but the unnecessary things are GONE for 40 days.

    I also participate in the no meat on Fridays....:ohwell: though lately I have realized my meat has decreased since I found Morning star Bean burgers and fake chicken pattys (which I will count as meat on Fridays) they are soo good.
  • knelson422
    knelson422 Posts: 308 Member
    Fasting every once in awhile is actually good for your body, or so I have read. It won't put you into starvation mode When I fast, I learn what it is like to be TRULY hungry, and am more grateful for my fridge that has a ton of food in it. I also feel more in control. I pray and ask God to help me make it through the fast as well. I fast with my church once a month, and there is a purpose behind it. In Isaiah we can read about fasting and how it is supposed to be a good thing for us. Way to go to my Catholic friends who do Lenten. I am not Catholic, but I think a season of sacrifice would better help me remember why we celebrate Easter. Good luck, way to go.
  • charliesmagic
    charliesmagic Posts: 55
    I'd like to give up chocolate too but I LOVE my SlimFast Chocolate Shakes in the morning so I decided to give up fast food. It should be a win-win. And my dedication is to attend Mass every week. I'd love to be able to do it. We shall see...

    I like this! I think I will add to my "sacrifice" for Lent the dedication to attend weekly Mass. I am giving up being lazy for Lent. Hoping this will be a good way to establish a good habit. I used to be a pretty good exerciser...then I stopped. I am aiming for 4-5 days a week minimum. Going to mix cardio and strength training plus DEDICATION to MFP. *crossing my fingers!!* I can do this!!! :bigsmile:
  • allisonpriputin
    allisonpriputin Posts: 1
    gave up ice cream and candy.... am hoping this will help break my sugar addiction in addition to helping me lose weight... and it will be a sacrifice :)...
  • mindy14456
    mindy14456 Posts: 552 Member
    I am committing to working out 40 days straight, and giving up Chai Latte's. I don't indulge in them too often, but I do love them!!
  • todaystuesday
    todaystuesday Posts: 77 Member
    Our priest this past weekend commented about giving up something for lent. His comments ran along the lines of, if you are using Lent to make long term changes and bring you closer to God, then go ahead and do that. But he also commented that it was not enough to just give him your waistline for 40 days. Interesting and blunt way to look at it..

    I plan to do something active every single day of the 40 days.

    AND I plan to declutter at least 1 trashbag a day for 40 days. (not necessarily going in the trash, but could be a give away bag too.)
  • mahjohweeee
    mahjohweeee Posts: 58 Member
    Fasting doesn't necessarily mean that you are giving up EVERY SINGLE BIT of food. You can give up a majority of what you eat for a day; I think God would understand that your health is important. Plus, at least you are recognizing God and worshiping Him.. :) Personally, I love Lent. It makes me dedicated to do things I have been meaning to do for ages, but just haven't mustered up the strength to actually do. Going to be eating healthier and am giving up Rage Comics for Lent. I know, I know, what a nerd, but I can't help it! Bless all :smooched:

    OMG Rage Comics... that would be so hard for me! I'm currently tracking how long I'm on pinterest, twitter, memegenerator... I had to limit my facebook to just 1 hour a day during the workday.. I have a feeling I'll be "binging" the minute I get off work. :)
  • thefoodnerd
    thefoodnerd Posts: 27 Member
    I'm giving up the snooze button for 15 extra minutes of exercise and making sure I get both of my workouts in every day... : D

    Great idea!
  • Alma_Sana
    Alma_Sana Posts: 453 Member
    Right now I'm just doing the traditional way of fasting & abstinence by not eating anything other than fish & veggies.

    Im giving up Sugar as well and fast food. We can do this <3
  • Helenatrandom
    Helenatrandom Posts: 1,166 Member
    You aren't cheating. We are allowed to eat as much as we need to get through the day.

    I'll most likely be giving up sweets. I have lowered my calorie allowance for Lent, so I'll probably be hungry if I end up wasting calories on cookies, cakes, or candy.

    BTW, we don't have to fast on Sundays. Every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection, so we don't fast. That doesn't mean you HAVE to eat red meat on Sunday, just that you don't have to avoid it for the sake of Lent.
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