Lent

Wednesday was the beginning of the Lenten period. Now I was raised Catholic, so giving up something for Lent is pretty much ingrained into every fiber of my being. Even though I am not a very good Catholic at the moment, I think Lent brings about a time in which many people find strength in themselves by giving up things that they tend to indulge in on a regular basis.

Now I have cheated before and given up things for Lent that are not really difficult to give up, especially when I was a kid.

Example: 1995: Green Beans (don't get me wrong, I loved green beans, but really....we did not have them that much)

Over the last three years, including this year I have given up a vice of mine that always seems to come creeping back which is soda (diet soda in my case). No matter how hard I have tried I always come back to drinking soda on a regular basis...but for the last two years (and hopefully this year) I have successfully given up soda for the 40 days of Lent.

I am now on day 6 and I already hate it, but it is good for my self control and good for my health. Hopefully I can continue to not drink soda even after Lent is over, but for now we will just start with the 40 days.

In addition to giving up my soda addiction, I am also giving up unnecessary shopping. Cassie and I (or sometimes just me) went shopping EVERY WEEKEND IN JANUARY  What!? I spent so much money on things that were not really necessary...including 4 pairs of shoes....really Ginger, four pairs of shoes?

So to keep my wallet happy, I have also given up shopping for Lent. Now this does not include food/gas for my car, but just unnecessary things such a makeup, clothes, accessories and especially shoes.

Last but not least, I am going to be completing a 6 week meal plan as a part of my resolution of eating better/clean. I have completed the program before a couple of years ago and it was a great success, so I am hoping for similar results. My goal is to fit into this dress by graduation.

What are you giving up for Lent this year?
How are your resolutions coming?