Being raised a good little Catholic girl, I still try to give up something for Lent each year. For the past three years, I've joined Aisha in a little thing we created called NUNS which stands for: No Unnecessary Needless Shopping.
To accomplish this, for the forty days of Lent (which begins Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday), we will not purchase anything that isn't a necessity. No books added to my bedside table, no new DVD's, no clothes, shoes, lipstick...you get the idea. It's harder than you think. Give it a try. Your checkbook will thank you and it also just might be that little extra kick you need to get you into the Pearly Gates.
Now, here are a couple of shockers. I have also decided to give up listening to my XM radio at work and, drumroll please, alcohol. If you're a regular reader, you know how much I love my XM radio and my cocktails.
In the past, I wouldn't (couldn't) give up drinking for Lent because we always had a New Orleans trip planned for March. This year, however, I've rented a beach cabin in April rather than taking time off in March to go to New Orleans. The week at the beach falls conveniently outside of the dates of my self-imposed Lenten obligations.
To keep me motivated on my forty days of no alcohol, I've done a little math:
- 6 drinks per week (conservatively speaking) x 200 calories per drink = 1200 calories per week
- 1200 calories per week x 6 weeks = 7200 calories
- 7200 calories = 2 pounds
- So, at the end of Lent, I will be two whole pounds lighter.
- Just two pounds?!
- Crap.
- That sounded better in my head.
19 comments:
Maybe I'll give up being mad at men. But I really am enjoying it so much...lol
Baby sis
Good luck with your Lenten deal Laurie, with what you save not shopping and drinking you'll be able to have the trip to New Orleans as well.
Baby Sis - I think the men secretly love it.
Peter - I hadn't even thought about that! That should seriously pay for the rest of the cabin after the deposit I left. Hot diggity damn!
You are a strong woman. I'm not sure I could give up the shopping.
Cool! Wow! Wahoo!
Its pretty easy for me to give up all those things, but I live in a different world in many ways.
I have been thinking of signing up the wardrobe refashion pledge:
http://wardroberefashionfineprint.blogspot.com/
after I get another pair of shoes! of course I do that anyway, now if they said no new fabric...
BabySis- I wouldn't give up any protective barriers, now if you are just hating men for fun that is another story.
I'm concerned about all you're giving up. But hey, you're coming to visit at the onset of Lent so it shouldn't be too bad. I will however, avoid contact from that point until Easter weekend. LOL
Jamie
That sounds like a great idea. It would be VERY hard to do as I LOVE to shop. Do you have to be Catholic though? If not, then I have about a week to get all my shopping done, right? The drinking part wouldn't be too hard as I've already been limiting myself because it's so darn expensive over here!!!
Leslie - It really is harder than it sounds.
Susan - Re-fashion. Cool.
Jamie - Good idea! (I'm glad you left a comment!!!!!!!!!)
Texas Gal - I have a few non-Catholic friends who do this also.
Look at it this way,
2 pounds is 3.9 dollars.
Add that to the cash you saved from your lack of drinking and shopping and you can one hell of a party after Easter.
Grimm - It should be quite the bash.
I can definitely relate to NUNS, though unaware of the acronym, as I've been practicing it for the better part of a year, since I realized I wasn't going to be able to go back to work soon.
Don't try to give up too much for Lent as that can be a form of self-sabotage! And remember, Sundays don't count!
I have been trying to do something positive rather than negative for Lent for the last few years. I joined Curves two weeks ago so maybe I will make that my Lenten thing.
Laura - Oh, Jack already reminded me about the Sundays don't count thing. He actually considers the next day to start at sundown. So, according to him, I can start drinking at sunset on Saturday night. :0
Crap, indeed! I'm giving up tv again for Lent but the hubbie is giving up wine and encouraging me to join him.
I've been thinking it would be a good idea for Lent plus I'd shed pounds but only TWO?
(Of course, the less I drink--the less I want to eat late at night--so maybe I can shed a few more lbs! Here's hoping!)
The tv is easier. Well, except that Ash Wednesday arrives before we learn Meredith's fate. I'm not worried, though. You can't really have "Grey's Anatomy" without Meredith Grey, can you? ;)
Lory - I could never give up TV. I'm impressed.
If you think about it, 2 pounds is alot for doing absolutely nothing...
Whenn - Good point!
Oh, Laurie, that made me laugh out loud! Celebrate that Sabbath, baby!
Laura - :)
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