Tomorrow is March 1st., Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. A good time to turn over a new leaf and work on some good habits. I am going to cut out all the major carbs, walk the stairs at work during the day and use my treadmill or walk around the neighborhood in an effort to lose some weight. I figure I can keep anything up for the 6.5 weeks of Lent. Maybe I can get Dan to take me out for Eggs Benedict at the Palmer Hotel Restaurant on Easter morning. Absolutely the best Eggs Benedict I ever had, and the restaurant is open 24/7 365 days a year. They even do take-out.
So, what are you doing for Lent? You don't have to be Catholic to put this season to good use. As kids, we always gave up candy. As an adult, I try to give something up and also do something extra.
I am United Church of Christ, and we observe the season of Lent as well. We don't necessarily give up something, but look for more ways to serve the community. Volunteerism is big in our church. Myself, I plan to make more time to Bible study and devotions. My church passes out devotional books with daily readings during Lent.
Being a church organist helps a great deal - I pay more attention to my music during Lent, as well as during Advent.
Good on the walking and carb-cutting. Since I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, I've been walking both in the morning and afternoons at work, and have joined a fitness club. So far, I've lost 4 pounds.
Ok, I'm taking this as a sign for me to take action. Before I read your post I was unaware that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. And this morning as I was feeding and rocking Lara, I was thinking that I should eat a little healthier and start doing the Yoga DVDs that I bought three years ago and haven't opened. So I think that's what I'm going to do for Lent. I've never really exercised the tradition of Lent, but now is as good a time as any, right?
I'm going to try......TRY to give up chocolate, but I'm a raging chocoholic. We'll see how that goes. :wink:
I'm also going to have fun shopping for a pretty Easter dress for Lara!! And her 1st birthday is coming up (March 23rd....remember, Patty, you won the pool last year!) so I have lots of fun shopping to do in the next few weeks! :hello2:
No more soda!! I do it every year since I am addicted to the stuff (and I can't stand the taste of diet). I always do good for the six weeks and then start drinking it again as soon as lent is over. One year I threw in chocolate at the same time, but my birthday falls during lent and my favorite cake is chocolate. I did not give in, but I don't think I will do chocolate again (unless Easter falls in March). We are United Methodist and some of us do it and some don't. My mom was raised Catholic, so we have always given up something for lent.
I'll to St Patrick's for ashes tomorrow. During Lent I will try to attend daily mass as often as I can. Because of work I can't go every day, but I should be able to manage at least three times a week in addition to Sunday. I want to focus on my prayer life by doing daily devotions and the rosary.
On the physical side I want to dig out the dumbells and do the Strong Women Stay Slim program. I am cutting out sweets and other indulgent food during Lent, but I won't give up caffien--no sirree! I plan to say the rosary on a daily walk, which is the only part of the physical program that strongly ties into Lent. The rest is stuff I need to do anyway, and Lent is as good of a time to start as any.
You guys are great!!! What a wonderful bunch of good ideas and determination. Its inspiring. Maybe we all can root each other on.
I'm told it happens to almost everyone who is put on a diet due to some condition/illness, but I have a serious case of Food Envy. I'll be in the salad bar line at the cafeteria at work, will look over at the people ordering hamburgers and fries, and be caught up in such a fit of jealousy. Or, I'll see someone with a huge plate of pasta Alfredo, and think to myself, "That's a heart attack waiting to happen."
I don't know why I'm being so judgemental....not very "Christian" of me right now. Maybe the season of Lent will straighten me out.
I am catholic but have not been going to mass as often as I should...or as I would like. I plan to change that and go weekly.
My aunt gives up chocolate each year during Lent, but we're protestants. I do try to add to my prayer times during Lent though. I'll be glad to give inspiration and prayer support to any who wish...