My son, James, and I have decided to give up something for Lent this year. I know, that is mostly a Catholic tradition and we aren't Catholic, but I thought it would be a good practice just the same.

James is giving up regular television. DVDs and videos are OK, but not the piped in stuff. (He first offered to give up veggies, but I told him that was NOT an option.)

Me, I'm giving up soda pop and sparkling flavored waters. If it's carbonated, it's not allowed. I hoping to use this time to get in more green tea and, hopefully, more water.

Giving up something, anything, for 6 1/2 weeks won't be easy...but I figured if I could give up bread, rice, pasta and sugar for the long-haul then I could give up carbonation for a few weeks.

How about you? Are you giving up anything?
For those not familiar, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (which is Feb. 9 this year) and continues until Easter (which is March 27).

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Melissa

Hey, sis! If I had a brain in my head, I'd give up dairy, but that ain't happenin'!

Hmmmm, since this 6 week period starts tomorrow, I'd better think of SOMETHING in the next 13 minutes! Nice of you to give me some notice. Just like a sister! LOL!

Any suggestions? Nuts? (I mean should I give up nuts for 6 weeks?) I'd give up chocolate, but since Valentine's is soon, I'll be making some lowcarb fudge.

I am so not Catholic (my mother is...was....??), but I do respect the intention and meaning behind this tradition, so I want to do it too. But it does need to be something that actually IS a sacrifice....something you would genuinely miss for those 6 weeks.

I'll think of something, Melissa. Count me in!

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If I really wanted to miss something, I'd give up checking in here a gazillion times a day!

Not going to do that.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

My first thought was internet--but that truly would make life hard--I would not be able to be here...workouts...hmmmm...talk about weight gain! If I give up carbonation does that mean that if I shake my drink until it is flat I can drink It????? LOL...WIll come up with something!

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

I my self am not catholic either. Yet i found i wanted to try and give something up. but since i can't think of anything that i could do w/ out... at all.. maby next year ill have more will power. my friend has gave up meat... yet she just told me.. "I'm gona try that Atkins diet" - yeah good luck!

Good luck to all of you.. - i guess i could give up carbonation too. i realy dont drink it now! lol.. i should give up coffee but there goes that pot i started thismorning...

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01/02/04-248{ 4/29/04- 218} 6/30/04- 204
7-05-04 198 8/30/04 - 190 (got lost after that-)
4/03/08- 261 -
Goal-140-145

I am giving up sweets. Even the low carb ones, the "good" ones like mock danishes. Also gossiping. These challenges should keep me busy!

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Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

Not Catholic but we Episcopals also give u pthings for lent. Last year I gave up candy which was really tough. Of course after Easter I ate it like there was no tomorrow.

This year I have decided to give up something that I am doing right now. I forgot today was Ash Wednesday already (well I knew last night but for some reason this morning forgot). So this will be my last post from the office. I will still post in the evenings. Bu ti am giving up all personal use of the computer at the office during the day. Which will make some of my days very very long. They told me when I first started that I should bring a book to read when it got slow but I liked this better.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Noel, my son and I attended the local A.M.E. on Sunday and that's where I got the idea to give up something.

It first crossed my mind to give up the Internet except for work use. But I was afraid that if I did that, I'd be setting myself up for an Atkins WOE sabatoge. I'm already struggling with losing. Without you guys, I might completely fall off the wagon.

I wish I had a job that gave me time to read a book. But like you said, they can make for some very long days. And mine feel much too long as it is.

Joonezgrl, giving up the good sweets would be very hard for me. And while I don't consider myself to be a gossip, I do find myself getting pulled into those conversations and next thing I know I'm a willing participant.

I wish everyone who participates the very best in their endeavors and I hope that we all gain something (not weight!) from our sacrafices.

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Melissa

Some days I am slammed while others like at this time of month and during this time of year we are pretty slow. I'm getting a little too use to liking my job. I may be stuck at a dead end because of it but right now with Xander it's nice to have an easy schedule and be pretty stress free when it comes to work. (at my more lucrative job I was frazzled every night)

I have been to an AME church. I go to a traditional one now. Just got back as a matter of fact.

Anyhow, since I am giving up day time internet I am sure to be on a lot at night after baby goes to sleep. Checking posts and logging food in on fitday. I just wanted something I would really miss that wasn't a neccessity. And since I can check in at night I figured this was good.

F. Doug said we maybe could also add something as well and I think Gilley's idea of more will power is a good one.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

I thought about giving up gum, except there was already a peice in my mouth! I thought about giving up dairy, but I'd already had yogurt.
I thought about alot of things....and finally came up with...red meat.
I baked a bunch of chicken breasts in Creamy Italian dressing last night and took one to work with me for lunch today. And I had one for dinner tonight. I could stick to seafood, pork, and poultry. Just no hamburger or steaks. I can do that. I'll miss having my annual steak dinner for my birthday, but I'll just have seafood instead.

It won't be as much a challenge for me to not eat it as it will be for me to remember, and make other choices.

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hmmm, i'll give something up for 6 weeks, i'll let you know what it is when i figure out what it is. I will NOT do it in the name of lent though, as i do not like associating myself with anything religous.

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Right now, I don't think I could give up red meat...at least not for very long. I did cross my mind though. I might give that one a try next year.

Achilles, for those of us who are religious it's not simply a tradition or going through the motions. There's actually a reason for giving something up. When we crave that soda or red meat or time on the Internet, we'll be reminded of how little we've given up and we'll remember how much was sacraficed for us.

Since you are not a religious person, I would encourage you to focus on something that will have a positive affect on you as well. For instance, you can think about your mom and all that she did for you while you were growing up. It may help you gain a new appreciation for her. Or maybe there is someone else in your life who has sacraficed something to make life better for you....your dad, a grandmother, a friend, etc.

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Melissa

i can't think of anything to give up. i feel as though i've already given up everything i was doing that was bad for me-- i don't smoke, i don't drink, and now i'm eating low carb, and i don't want to give up the rare diet dr. pepper i have. so what's left? i'm sure i doulc find something to give up, but i just don't wanna!
:crying:

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