Monday, February 22, 2010

Lent (sorta)


I've never celebrated Lent. I celebrate Easter. But not Lent. In fact, when I brought up the subject of Lent a week ago, it was to ask Dan exactly what it was all about. He didn't know any more than I did. Hmmm...

Well, thanks to the internet, I now understand at least the basic idea behind Lent. And I love it. I love that we can take forty days, just as the Savior did, to "fast" in a way and come closer to our Father in Heaven. And I love that it leads us right up to Easter, that most wonderful and glorious of all holidays, when we can really remember our Savior's gift to us.

So, I decided I was going to celebrate Lent this year. I decided I'd give up sugar - really, my biggest vice, and one I'd love to gain a little more control over. Only one problem. I didn't actually know when it started. So back to the internet I went and you'll never believe what I found out. Lent began the next day. The next day, people!

Can you see my dilemma? Can you see how hard it would be to give up sugar for forty whole days with so little preparation time (i.e. binge eating time)?

But guess what! I decided to do it anyway! And day one was awesome. I didn't even feel too tempted. Woohoo! I'm pretty great, huh?

Day two... I ate a cookie. I really didn't mean to cheat, I just ate a cookie. And I didn't even realize what I'd done until Dan asked me how Lent was going. Many hours later. Oops.

So I jumped right back in and got back on track, right? Wrong. I figured I'd failed (and didn't even feel all that bad about it) and went ahead and had a lovely time with all my sugary friends for the rest of the week.

But today I woke up re-resolved. I am going to do this. It may not be forty days. I mean, honestly, I am not going to skip out on the Easter goodness. But from now until Easter, no sugar will cross these cute little lips of mine.

Think I can do it? If you do, you wanna give me a little of that love? Cause honestly, I'm still not so sure myself. So any encouragement would be welcome - and very appreciated!

12 comments:

Heidi said...

Jen you're so cool! I wanna do lent too. You can do this!

Dustin said...

I gave up free time this year. Rather than cut down on bad foods or vices, which I'm already trying to do, I decided to give my time to others, whether it be by volunteering or just helping.

Johnsons of Haymarket said...

You are brave! I couldn't do it. Now that it is on your blog you will be held accountable! No more little slip ups! Good luck!

Cailean said...

Wow Jen, that is awesome!!! You can do it! Maybe I'll try too. The only carrot I can dangle is that you should plan a very very YUMMY dessert, whatever your favorite is, when you're done.

Joyelle said...

well, if you need a partner in crime to cheat with, im your gal lol

Joyelle said...

okay nug, felt guilty, so here's a good motivational quote for ya!!


"Progress comes as we are able to give up something for something we want more." -Marvin J. Ashton

xoxo
you can just give me your brownies or cookies! lol

Kori said...

In December 2008, a young woman in my sunday school class inspired me to give up store-bought goodies for a year. I decided to go for it, especially because Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, and Starbursts were staples in my diet. After I hit the year mark of only homemade sweets, I bought myself a reward---a huge picture of the DC Temple! It was totally worth it! I'm still doing it, and have found that the temptation virtually goes away after time.

Laura Oler said...

You can do it! I did this last year, and it did get a little easier after the first couple weeks -- mostly because I was trying to prove I could do it, so it was a mind over body thing. But I can't say that I lost my sweet tooth. As soon as I was done, it was back to sweets, and now I'm as bad as ever. But I did it, and you can too! Good luck!

Susan said...

you are a better man than I, gunga din. I'll do my best to be your cheerleader though. You do remember that you can be a very determined girl when you want to be. So I know you can do it! If only because you are stubborn!

Grandma Lori said...

Hi there Jen, Way to go! I know you can do this. Last year I gave up sugar for about 5 months....I find it to be truly addicting. Day 3 is a big deal for me, the urge seems to wane a lot after day 3. You can do this. Love ya!

Rebekah said...

Good for you! You can totally do this. I gave up sugar for about three months last fall...just fyi, it gets a lot easier after two months; and then when you go back, sugary food is just gross. Just to let you know, you might not want to stop at forty days! But, of course, Easter candy is fantastic, too!

Mama mia said...

What a great idea...I'll lent with you... :) Hope all is going well with you and your family. (The Gibbs)

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