Lent

So the Christian period of Lent began last Wednesday. Traditionally it's a time for fasting to giving something up for 40 days. It replicates the story of Jesus Christ's journey into the desert for 40 days. I'm not a Christian myself but members of my family are so I sometimes join in with Lent. Plus I like challenging myself and think it's good to give up a luxury for a while, especially when we often take luxuries for granted.

Giving Up Sugar....Again!

I've previously given up sugar when I was trying to lose my baby weight and fit back into my pre-baby-number-3 clothes. However, once I got to my ideal weight and size I naturally wanted to celebrate....with cake! A close friend of mine did warn me "But won't the floodgates open again if you start having the odd sugary treat?". I assured her it didn't affect me anymore, but the floodgates did indeed open! The occasional sweet treat became a daily occurrence again and my waistline did not thank me!

Type 2 Diabetes

I generally eat quite healthy but sugar is my main downfall, which isn't great seeing as several members of my family have type 2 diabetes. So Lent seemed like the perfect time to force myself to go on the straight and narrow again. Plus the whole point is giving up something you actually really love! There is a loophole in Lent though, you can eat whatever you've been abstaining from on Sundays as they are "feast days". I'm not planning to do this as I've realised I'm like an alcoholic when it comes to sugary foods. Just a little taste and it's all over! Instead I intend to forgo them completely for the 40 days.

Natural Sugar

I'm planning on getting my sugar fix from natural sugars in fruit. Also if I'm desperate and really want to feel like I'm having a treat I'll make these sugar-brownies - https://steemit.com/food/@mummyimperfect/how-to-celebrate-world-chocolate-day-if-you-don-t-eat-sugar - which are sweetened with dates and are pretty tasty.

So Far So Good

It's been 4 days since Lent began and I'm doing OK so far. I resisted when a friend tried to force feed me a blueberry muffin and didn't finish off my kids half eaten biscuits and fruit yoghurt. It would be helpful if everyone in my household had also given up sugar for Lent however, my husband and Mini Me 1 have set their own challenge and have given up meat. I'm trying to help them with this by making lots of nice vegetarian food which I'll share with you in another post.
Have any of you given up anything for Lent? If so, let me know how it's going.

MummyImperfect x