piper_chuck

I know, this is not a religion forum.

Normally I'm not too religious. This year my daughter is in pre-K at a Catholic school, so we're paying much more attention to the religious holidays. One (of many) of the reasons I follow this forum is due to the little problem I have with Bryers ice cream. In a word, I'm addicted to the stuff. It doesn't matter if it's Rocky Road, Mint Chocolate Chip, Coffee, or Vanilla, my favorite non-flavor flavor. I love them all. Harris Teeter has the stuff on 2 for 1 ever other week and I go through 4-6, or more, half gallons (well, ok it's really their new and improved "light" half gallons ) per month. So, this year I decided to give up Bryers for Lent.

I figure this is definitely giving up something, but at the same time, it's not only good for me, it should help me lose pounds, and improve my cycling (whew, I knew I'd work cycling in here somehow). As a side bar, I've substituted fruit for the Bryers.

So, spill the beans. Anyone else give up a vice for Lent that'll help their cycling?

bigwies

Donuts and Candy.

CastIron

Lent.

Scummer

As an atheist I can eat whatever I want and whenever I wish.. so no lent for me. Not that it helps my waste line any, but that's a totally different story

Mazama

I didn't give up anything. That's my problem.

George

Riding

jaxgtr

same here.

thaetviking

Over the past ten years I have moved from giving up something for Lent to doing something to improve myself over lent. There is nothing wrong with fasting and it can be good for you. I think by putting the emphasis on doing something that will uplift my spirit. To me giving up something is like dieting. Here you have this ugly negative word that you are working against. More power to you if you can pull it off. I just struggle with it.

gmule

I was going to give up work. Then I realized that would mean I couldn't commute so I guess nothing.

twobikes

Giving up something during Lent does not apply to those who are not Roman Catholic. I think the idea was to be deprived of something personally meaningful as a sign of penance and devotion. People often miss that aspect of it and give up something for selfish reasons.

We have had a lot of snow and ice on the roads. Even though I did not intend to do it, I have de facto given up riding my bike during Lent. We should have some thawing through the next few days, and I might get a chance to ride again Saturday or Monday. Sunday will be very full of church related activities.

Tom Stormcrowe

I gave up giving up.

CliftonGK1

I quit smoking almost 5 months ago.
I quit drinking just before Christmas.

Take away my junk food and I'm gonna hurt somebody.

PATH

I am not drinking any more but then again I am not drinking any less. Seriously though I try to do atleast one nice thing every day of Lent. I like being proactive about things!

oopfoo

I was going to answer "religion."

piper_chuck

I didn't start this thread to be a discussion on theology, but I'm curious where you got the idea that Lent only applies to Roman Catholics? I know they pay more attention to such things, but I also know it's followed by a number of other Christian churches.

guybierhaus

I gave up a lot of goodies as a result of type 2 diabetes. I too loved Bryers Vanilla. It was at one time rated the best vanilla in country, then company sold out to somebody and moved out of Philadelphia. They obviously don't use the same recipe. Now it's just like everybody else's. Was easy to give up. And like another, I seemed to have given up biking due to weather. I give up much more and I'll be thinking about checking out.

DieselDan

I'm a Salvationist, we've forsaken enough.

dipy911

My inhibitions.

Neil_B

https://www.slate.com/id/2137092/

Blanchje

There are other churches that follow it but primarily you are right. Lent is about sacrifice as a reminder of of the 40 days Christ spent fasting in the desert and of how he resisted the tempation of Satan. In addition to sacrifice, it is about giving to others. In essence, for those of us who believe it is a time for self evaluation and rededication to our faith. I've always enjoyed this portion of the church calendar. For anyone who feels differently, that's cool.

twobikes

I said the idea of giving up things for Lent applies to Roman Catholics, but not necessarily to others. I am not Roman Catholic, but do very much observe Lent. I never said Roman Catholics are the only ones to observe Lent, nor that Lent applies only to Roman Catholics. Please look again and see if you did not misread what I wrote.

My understanding of the BF guidelines is that we may not say negative things about the beliefs of another, nor may we proselytize for our point of view. I saw nothing in the BF guidelines that prohibits the objective mention of information when a thread touches on theological matters.

jyossarian

Damn, it's Lent already?!? What am I gonna do w/ those ribs I was gonna cook tonight? Oh yeah, I can just go to confession after I eat them.

BigUgly

Being brain washed during my 12 years of Roman Catholic education and taught that I would go to HELL if I ate meat on Ash Wed(this past Wed) and every Friday in lent, the Catholic guilt kicks in every now and then. Then again there were sometimes where I forgot so I guess I am destined to tango with the devil. That being said I gave up Cole Slaw for lent. My protestant friends laugh at me when they are woofing down thier hamburgers at lunch time on Fridays. Damn, I could go for a big slab of Scrapple right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snapperhead

Chips and fast food. For me, the first is going to be the harder of the two, because I love them, all kinds.

alwaysbikn

I'm not reigious by any means......but some people at work are......so I figured I'd give up my car for Lent and ride my bike every day to and from work.