Friday, February 19, 2010

39 days


I was unaware that it was Ash Wednesday until it was already almost over. By the time 5 o clock rolled around and it finally dawned on me, I was boarding a plane to England and only planned on being up a couple more hours before I put on my eye mask and called it a day. I quickly went over in my head all of the things I had briefly considered giving up for Lent. This will actually be my first year ever participating, but it always has sounded like a good idea and I actually wanted to give it a go this year.

After some internal deliberation, I decided I would give up desserts for 40 days. No more sweets for me. This is a little more complicated than it might seem. You see, I really like dessert. And lucky for me, it does nothing negative to my waistline. I also happen to frequent the Olympic Training Center dining hall where there is always a full array of cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, and ice cream on a daily basis. I try not to overindulge but I always tell myself that one cookie won’t kill me. (brownie a la mode if I’m feeling extra special). So sure, it’s easy to not give in when you don’t have the temptation staring you right in the face all the time, but when you do it gets a little tricky to not reward yourself at least every other day.

So it was settled. But then I remembered something…I actually stuffed a small piece of cake in my mouth that morning for breakfast. (don’t worry…I had some eggs first). I don’t know why, really. I was at my friends house and I saw it just staring at me from it’s nice little cake display, so I quickly cut off a small piece and didn’t bother with a plate or a fork. I guess that’s even more proof that this might be a good thing to give up for Lent. Only thing is, my Lent will now be only 39 days. It’s a start.

What is everyone else giving up for Lent???

18 comments:

myshel_01 said...

I've been trying to do the same thing!! I will also be giving up sweets! I don't know much about lent. I will google and research! :)

Brianna said...

let me know what you find out. i used to think it was just catholics who did it, but seems a lot of ppl participate! :)

Matthew T. said...

I am trying to understand what Lent is, so basically you are giving up something for 40 days before Easter. It seems easy, but many people just don't follow it.

Shawn C. said...

I gave up red meat. As a lenten sacrifice vet, I can assure you that this will not be an easy task. When you give up something you love, it calls you during the entire 40 day period. Remember Bri, not all of your friends gave up sweets, so they will eat cake, honeybuns, banana pudding, cookies, ice cream, etc. in front of you. Not to mention some idiot tempting you by writing it on your blog. LOL Good luck!

Brianna said...

@matthew...yep, i think that's basically it. but i guess it's as hard as you make it. Like...I thought about giving up coffee, and then I was like who am I kidding??!!

@shawn...oh, i know. Just posting the picture had my mouth watering. and last night someone said, ooh...let's try the cheesecake. :(

Dust said...

How do you get off to a bad start? You should of chose something different to give up. I was going to give up my gossip websites. TMZ Bossip & mediatakeout.com. Then I came to my senses, I'm not Catholic. What's the point of giving up something for 40 days? If you're going to make a change, then make the change.

Brianna said...

well...it's still going to be a practice in self-discipline and I think that's the main point anyway. And everyone could use a little of that, right?

I guess the Catholics do it, but I'm pretty sure it's just a Christian thing...representative of the 40 days Jesus spent in the dessert.

Dust said...

Oh yeah giving up something for 40 days might be a challenge to some of you weaked willed individuals, but I on the other hand would not have a problem giving up anything

Bianca said...

1. I hate that you can eat anything and not gain weight.
2. I love you because you're my best friend.
3. I'm praying for a great meet!

Shawn C. said...

@Dust...Don't knock it until you try it. Those of us who practice the lenten sacrifice and find it challenging are not necessarily weak-willed.

@Bri...While Jesus was in the desert, he was tempted by the devil. I'm not the devil but here's your temptation. German Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Short Cake, Hersey's Kisses, Banana Cream Pie...anything? LOL

@Bianca...Many women envy Bri for that fabulous wasteline that seems impervious to the Kryptonite of snack foods. And, I'm assuming that everyone here is a fan so we are all praying for a great meet!

Nnelg said...

I'm giving up posting on this blog for 40 days.....

Steve Ryan said...

I think if you tack on a day at the end of lent, that piece of cake will be forgiven. God knows when your heart is in the right place.

I'm new to your blog so maybe I'm behind in keeping up with your schedule. Are you going to England to compete?

Brianna said...

@shawn...how did you know that I LOVE german chocolate cake?? in fact, that's what I stuffed in my mouth wed morning. :)

@glenn...good news.

@steve...i kind of wanted to end with everyone else. :) Yes, I'm in England.

myshel_01 said...

Gah :( I TOTALLY forgot about Lent until this afternoon after having junior mints at the movies & thin mints this morning haha good luck! I don't think I'll be able to stay commited! =(

Anonymous said...

Giving up sweets if okay if you are diabetic. Most should resign themselves to giving up debt. Refuse credit cards & destroy those you currently possess.

Anonymous said...

HAVE MERCY that cake looks good!!!!!!!! Wish I could have a bite.....RIGHT NOW.....AT 6am!!!! WHEW....LORDHAVEMERCY!!!! (smile)

~Yeaya

Shawn C. said...

@Bri...It was a lucky guess. My weakness is Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche Ice Cream. I generally cut up some banana's in it and when I'm really bad, I'll add extra caramel. I've given that up for several Lenten seasons, so this year it's red meat.

Unknown said...

Bri,

Jesus asctually spent 40 days in the desert, not the dessert. But being that dessert is your desert, I guess to you they would be interchangeable ;)

Love ya