# What are you doing for Lent? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834 "2011-02-27T20:16:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/21 "2011-03-01T02:33:01Z")
I’m not Christian, or any religion, but I do the Lent thing anyway; surprisingly, I know quite a few people who do it and also are not Christian. I think it’s just a good motivator, knowing that you have lots of company in trying to do something at the same time. I…I am giving up potato chips. This may not sound like much, but you don’t know how much I eat potato chips; it’s ridiculous. I’m going to be JONESING!!! 😛 Damn you, Herr’s, for starting me on the road to damnation, and damn you, Lays, for paving that road with Flaming Hot goodness. \<3 ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/22 "2011-03-01T02:37:09Z")
> [@susan\_foster](#): > > Hmm. I haven’t really done the giving up thing in a long time. I think…diet soda. And believe me - as someone who lives on Diet Mt. Dew, it will be a struggle. But I think it will be worth it - and it might cause me to look more inward, as I try to fight against the “but one sip won’t hurt” temptation. I hear ya! For me, one sip would be too much and not enough, which is my personal definition of an addiction \. It would appall anyone to know what my dietary liquids consist of. It would cause any doctor to shoo me out the door without a further word. I really don’t know what would happen if I stopped drinking diet soda, as I, quite literally, don’t drink anything else. The fact that I fill a huge cup up to the brim with ice, and fill in the blanks with diet soda, technically means I’m drinking mostly water, right? RIGHT?!?! \ Chips first; diet soda…maybe next year. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/23 "2011-03-01T02:46:23Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > That’s exactly my answer. I eat lunch out five days a week so it’ll be a real shift to have a pack a lunch every day. Wouldn’t be Lent though without the weekly Fillet o’ Fish. If it weren’t for my wife I’d eat out every meal of every day, but because of her I only do it around 4 times, which she hates. So I figure I should use this time to break the addiction and get into the habit of making my own food. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/24 "2011-03-01T04:09:13Z")
I went vegetarian for Lent three years ago and it stuck. This year I’m going hard core, either TV or…the Dope. help me Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/25 "2011-03-01T10:56:45Z")
For now I am refraining from killiing my mother. OK, OK, things you do year-round don’t count… I can’t really control my diet as much as I’d like, due to being required to have lunch at my client’s cafeteria 5 times a week. “Not going to the movies” wouldn’t count, since I’m not going much. I’m not giving up WoW: blowing virtual things up helps me avoid blowing up at idiots. Guess I’ll make it “not playing any other computer games and being better-behaved about my exercise”. ETA: Adds “lay off the Coke” to the list. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/26 "2011-03-01T17:42:35Z")
> [@](#): > > This year I’m going hard core, either TV or…the Dope. Oooh. Brave man. I gave up the internet one year- it was pretty hard. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/27 "2011-03-01T18:12:04Z")
My wife suggested I give up WoW; I suggested she give up nagging me about it :). I think in addition to reading the book I mentioned, I’ll adopt the discipline of using my treadmill at least 30 minutes every day. So I’m giving up laziness. Some folks - especially ones who adopt Lenten discipline for non-religious reasons - might be unaware of this, so as a reminder: SUNDAYS DON’T COUNT. Sunday is always a feast day. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/28 "2011-03-01T18:34:57Z")
One year I gave up eating lungh out altogether (brought my lunch to work) adn donated the money saved to teh soup kitchen at a neighboring parish. This year I think I’ll be resuming my nightly rosary. I’ve become horribly lackadaisical about prayer, which is a habit that you can fall out of. StG ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/29 "2011-03-01T18:36:25Z")
> [@Lissla\_Lissar](#): > > I’m pretty sure we’ll be going vegetarian and I might ditch the internet while the kids are awake. It’s huge attention-sucker/black hole for me. Vegetarian. For six weeks. I should start looking up more recipes. Get the Moosewood Cookbook from the library. Lots of great recipes, all vegetarian. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/30 "2011-03-01T18:42:57Z")
Last year at this time I switched from regular to diet soda. I didn’t go back. (though sometimes I do have one) This year I’m trying to give up soda completely. Not a Christian but something about this time of year seems better for self improvement than a New Years Resolution. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/31 "2011-03-01T18:54:12Z")
Thanks. I should. There’s lots of things we eat regularly that are vegetarian, but many ‘regular’ vegetarian recipes seem the opposite of delicious- "I had a heart quinoa/kale pilaff with yeast flakes!’ sort of thing. Doesn’t appeal to me. I love umami, so it’s lots of miso, tomato paste, mushrooms, and cheese (not all together) this Lent. A couple of years ago I had these terrible self-righteous cookies at a homeschooling meeting that had spelt and chickpea flour and almost no sugar. They haunt me still. Anyway, my husband’s giving up coke (the dark carbonated kind) and I’m going to do daily Rosary, but not daily Mass because of two small squirmy children. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/32 "2011-03-01T18:55:30Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Some folks - especially ones who adopt Lenten discipline for non-religious reasons - might be unaware of this, so as a reminder: SUNDAYS DON’T COUNT. Sunday is always a feast day. Yeah, but I’m a purist- it’s all or nothin’. For my own Lenten observations, if I table it on Sundays I feel like I’ve cheated. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/33 "2011-03-01T18:55:32Z")
Ugh! Look at the typos! I may just start typing classes instead. StG ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/34 "2011-03-01T18:58:46Z")
> [@Lissla\_Lissar](#): > > Thanks. I should. There’s lots of things we eat regularly that are vegetarian, but many ‘regular’ vegetarian recipes seem the opposite of delicious- "I had a heart quinoa/kale pilaff with yeast flakes!’ sort of thing. Doesn’t appeal to me. I love umami, so it’s lots of miso, tomato paste, mushrooms, and cheese (not all together) this Lent. Well, I’m vegetarian and I never eat that sort of thing. Try for things with an Asian influence, especially Indian. There’s tons of really flavorful vegetarian food that won’t make you feel like you’re missing anything. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/35 "2011-03-01T19:13:18Z")
For those who abstain, do you take Sundays off? Or should that be take Sundays on? You know what I mean - can you indulge in your forbidden pleasure on Sundays (and other Saints’ Days that don’t technically count in lent, but fall in the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter). ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/36 "2011-03-01T20:07:36Z")
I am an atheist, who was raised Catholic, and _very_ old school version of it. E.g., no meat on Fridays – ever… period. For Lent, I give up various things, and stick to it with fervor, because I am a believer in this type of discipline AND I want to challenge my religious brethren. Don’t know what it’ll be this year, but it will generally be more dedicated than those around me. Last year, I fasted on Tuesdays. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/37 "2011-03-01T21:53:05Z")
Not Christian, but I think we might do a “no-meat Friday” thing at my house during Lent. No idea how long it’s actually gonna last, but it’ll be good to try, anyway. My mom gave up chocolate one year. On Easter morning, after church, we saw her at the dining room table scarfing an ENORMOUS chocolate bunny. She looked at us and said “I am NEVER doing that again.” ---
**Author:** ![Beniamino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@Beniamino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beniamino)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/38 "2011-03-01T22:01:23Z")
> [@Lissla\_Lissar](#): > > It’s Ash Wednesday next week. What are you doing/giving up/reading for Lent? > > If you’ve come in to say “Haw haw! I gave up being Christian, you suckers!” or something, yes, we’ve all heard it before, and please refrain. This thread is for people who observe Lent in some way. > > I’m torn between giving up the internet and going vegetarian. I’m still thinking about it. I haven’t decided on any spiritual reading yet, but I might add daily Rosary back in, or daily Psalms. You? Giving up the internet is a great idea. Think of what you could be doing with all that free time! That’s one of the things I’ll be doing (except insofar as I need it for work). You could do volunteer work, \*lectio divina, go to the Blessed Sacrament, etc. \* Going veggie is not a bad idea either. Best of luck! Let us know what you decide on re spiritual reading. I just finished a book by St. Francis de Sales, and am looking for something else for Lent as well. As for daily Rosary and Psalms, I expect that, at the end of 40 days, you’ll have quite an enviable spiritual disposition. I’m going to shoot for (1) no internet; (2) no alcohol (except on Sundays, of course); and (3) some sort of daily prayer or meditation, haven’t decided which, but after your post, am now leaning towards Rosary or Psalms. Pax Dominus Tecum! ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/39 "2011-03-01T22:30:54Z")
On the physical side, drinking water. I drink far too many calories, I spend too much on them, and I really don’t need it. So, water it is. On the spiritual side, morning and evening prayer. I’ve gotten out of the habit. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834/40 "2011-03-01T22:36:22Z")
> [@villa](#): > > For those who abstain, do you take Sundays off? Or should that be take Sundays on? You know what I mean - can you indulge in your forbidden pleasure on Sundays (and other Saints’ Days that don’t technically count in lent, but fall in the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter). You can, but when I was little and I gave stuff up for Lent, my mother never let me indulge on Sundays – she said that was technically cheating. A lot of bishops will grant dispensions for meatless fridays if St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday during Lent. (Corned beef is a traditional meal). The one year a new bishop wouldn’t, and there was a HUGE stink over it. One thing I’ve always considered about meatless Fridays – if the point is to abstain, wouldn’t it be better to stay home and have leftover meatloaf rather than go out and feast on lobster? (Yes, I’ve known people who do that) (I always used to try and convince my parents to let me give school up – it never worked.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-lent/572834.md?page=3)