I am a chocoholic. It runs in the family, my Mum, Aunt, cousin, even my Godmother and her daughter – we are a big group of chocolate lovers.
A few years ago my Aunt and Uncle gave up chocolate for lent and I thought they were bonkers. Well now I’m about to tackle the same challenge. I rely on it far too much, seriously I eat it at least once every day, and it would be fun to see if I can make it through the 40 days without a taste of the good stuff.
It’s going to be tough, especially as I’m going skiing and love nothing more than a piping hot chocolate on the slopes.
As well as giving something up, I think it’s actually more important to take up something beneficial – whether that’s something good for you, or for others, it’s a nice way of remembering what Lent is actually all about, whether you celebrate or not. Amanda and I are going to take up giving blood, and we’re booking in for our first donation next week (not that she knows this yet).
I’m hoping that giving up chocolate will force me to think about what I’m snacking on rather than reaching for the 4pm Twirl or that dark chocolate and cup of tea that has become my standard evening wind down option.
Have you given or taken anything up for Lent?
You’re mad! 😛
Good luck with resisting the free chocolate biscuits after you give blood! Be careful when you exercise afterwards though – it’ll likely feel really sluggish and hard work for at least a few weeks! Definitely a cause that’s worth it though! Good for you!
That’s so interesting, thanks. Hadn’t thought about those side effects!
I recently gave blood a couple of weeks ago for this first time! It’s seriously such an amazing feeling knowing you’ve done a good deed for others who need it far more than yourself. I was surprised at how quick (and painless) it was! However prepare yourself for lethargic achey muscles and heavier breathing during exercise afterwards…. I really noticed a dip in my performance! But totally worth it of course 🙂
Awesome, I think it’s such a great thing for people to do regularly!
Good luck girlie…I chose CHEESE – its going to be so hard… 🙂
xo
Thanks Corey, good luck with the cheese!!
Snap! Also given up chocolate this year, I’ve done it in the past and it just gets easier. Will be interesting to see what you try to replace it with though and those Easter eggs are going to taste so much better I promise! x
Currently I’m eating KIND bars (and ginger biscuits, whoops!)
I gave up chocolate one day last April (2015) as a challenge to myself and I’ve only eaten 3 pieces since! It was really hard at first but honestly, it gets easier as time goes on! It’s also made me try different desserts at restaurants that I would normally not bother looking at, so there’s a lot of upsides too!
WOW that is impressive, not sure that will happen to me, but I am hoping it will allow me to cut my chocolate consumption down afterwards!
I gave up … SWEETS (anything which would be considered an indulgence) =\ I’m a sweet tooth, it’s not going to be easy, but SO WORTH IT! Look out popcorn here I come =P Blessed Lent to you!!
I am LOVING the popcorn!! Good luck, and thank you x
I absolutely adore chocolate and hot chocolate during/after skiing is amazing. I try to give up items every year but decided this year to do more of a positive spin – spread more cheer, random acts of kindness, complain less, etc. It’s actually funny how you stop craving it as much when you are finally finished with the 40 days!
That’s so great, love the idea to spread cheer, random acts of kindness and complain less!! Can I steal those ideas from you too – especially the complaining…starting TODAY!! x
I haven’t ever given up anything for Lent I don’t think. Good luck on giving up the chocolate though! Hope your blood donation experience is a good one! I think I am due back in March for pint number 11.
Yay awesome, good luck for March and pint 11. What colour card does that give you?
I “upgraded” to a blue card on pint 10.
I’ve given up sugar. Not fruit or the sugar you find in bread etc but added sugar – specifically cakes. My cake habit has got out of control and it needed to be cold turkey. If God can’t keep me accountable then there’s no hope 🙂 In a more positive direction, I’m going to get more sleep!!
I LOVE that you give blood but be aware of the impact on your training – think about scheduling workouts around the donation, one of my friends struggled to recover (in terms of training).
Good luck Cathryn, such a good lent challenge. Always more sleep, YES! Thank you for the warning, I hadn’t even thought about that!
Good luck!!! I m sure yo can do it!!! I tried giving up sugar a few times and it only lasted for about a week 🙁 I m just not great with this type of things….
Maybe you could try adding something positive in or cutting back on something rather than out!
Good luck with your abstinance challenge, and I like your positive “giving back” spin on it, just take heed of the advice given by others. I bonked badly on a long bike ride last Summer a day after donating blood, the body makes up the volume lost very quickly but the red cells & platelets take weeks to replenish! As for giving up things for Lent, I’ve not done so for a long time but could well do with trying to stop the alcohol consumption.
Thank you, and such a great word or warning!