Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Lenten Resolutions

It's been 4 weeks since I gave up all soda products and chocolate. 28 days. I sound like a recovering alcoholic or druggie. Don't worry, I'm not: I just decided to do the dumbest thing ever and give up the two food items I enjoy most in the world for Lent.


No, I know it's not dumb. I don't want to preach, but part of the meaning of Lent is sacrificing something you enjoy in order to feel closer to Jesus and the sacrifices he made during his forty days in the desert (at least, this is the Catholic teaching. I can't speak for any other branches of Christianity, they may have different takes on the liturgical season). This has been the first year I've held out as long with my Lenten promise. Worst of all, I'm doing two of them.

The decision not to drink soda was after reading many articles such as this one about the potential health issues of drinking diet cola. I'm a Coke girl all the way (Pepsi is just not the same), but in college I ended up drinking it after every meal. My stomach started hurting after I drank it...yeah, that's not a good sign. Even when Lent is over, I really hope to cut it down to one can a day, if even that. The problem is, I need caffeine to make it through my classes, so four cups of coffee a day has just taken the place of four sodas. And that isn't good either, is it?


For night, these little guys have been taking the place of soda. Ten calories, three grams of sugar, all juice. They're expensive, but they're a healthy soda substitute at least.

The chocolate is a different story. I'm a big sweet tooth, but for the first two weeks I was able to manage without it by simply substituting chocolate for vanilla or peanut-butter flavored cookies and cakes. Now it's getting more difficult, because I'm getting so sick of those flavors. I think I'm going to try cinnamon rice cakes...they sound disgusting, but they're actually pretty yummy. And healthy. And something different.


The hardest trial I'm facing is when I go get a coffee at our library's cafe and I see individual Lindor chocolates for sale. The cafe has every flavor: chocolate filled with chocolate, chocolate filled with white chocolate, chocolate filled with caramel. And I can't eat any of them. I feel like raising my hands up in the middle of the cafe line and going "God, why do you tempt me so?"

I can do this, though. Halfway done, halfway to go. Easter will be here before I know it! Anyone else giving anything up for Lent?

8 comments:

  1. good for you! i actually gave up soda for 3 consecutive years in middle school and don't drink it at all anymore.

    i gave up fast food this year... dunkin and taco bell have been taunting me lol.

    meg

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    1. Yeah, eventually I want to stop drinking it all together. I love the taste of soda, but water and juice is a much healthier alternative.

      Giving up fast food would be hard for me...I feel like I'm always going to subway to pick up a sandwich between classes. But you're halfway through, you can do this!

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  2. I don't know, I cannot give up chocolate. Ever. In my defense, dark chocolate is decent for you.

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    1. It's been so hard! And dark chocolate is my favorite. I've heard it has a lot of health benefits, too.

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  3. I love dark lindt truffles. So delicious.

    And good for you. It's hard for me to go a day without pop!

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  4. Thanks Alyx! Yeah, it's been hard, but I'm halfway through :)

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  5. I gave up soda for Lent once...SO hard, but as soon as Easter hit, I noticed I didn't crave it as often or drink nearly as much as I used to (I was a 2-3 Diet Cokes/day kinda girl). So maybe giving it up is a good thing :)
    Stopping by from Blogaholic - check me out! www.theafwife.com

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    1. Yeah, I used to drink 2-3 diet cokes a day too. The craving for soda is pretty much gone now, though, which is good! Going to check out your blog :)

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