Giving Up

I decided to do something for Lent this year, and I am tremendously glad that I did. I realized back in January that my eating habits were terrible (not that they have ever been good), but it was starting to bother me, both spiritually and physically. For the first time in my life I can didn’t feel like I had the energy to do what I wanted to do. It was time to reassess.

I gave up eating at restaurants (I defined this as anything that is made the place where it is bought, and needs no preparation of any kind). I was anxious about it when I started, but once I got into it, it actually became fun, but mostly it helped me see what a compulsion I had developed. Anytime I was hungry, I would get something, and usually it was a something that is not healthy, and I would get too much and insist to myself that I must finish it.

Here is what resulted from my fast. I have lost 15 pounds since I started (without really trying anything in particular, other than I am now walking at least twice a week), I have a heavier wallet (well, same spending cash, but less debt, and ummm…ok, more CDs), I have learned some great recipes (if you want, I can post my manicotti Florentine, chicken salad, black bean and chicken enchiladas, Reuben sandwich recipes, all of which I found and developed during this time), my digestion is healthier (less gas and much more regular…and solid (yes I know, TMI)) and I am eating healthier since coming off the fast. I have learned that grabbing and a piece of fruit, or a PB&J or something simple will curb hunger just as well without overindulging. Now, things like frozen pizza have just lost their taste, and I am not craving fast food at all. When I eat, I am much more conscience of how much and I am stopping earlier. I may still have hunger, but that goes away in 10 minutes or so. I just need to let my brain catch up to my stomach. Now for lunch (today being my birthday was an exception) I just run to a store and pick up something and fix it in the church building kitchen.

Most of all is it has helped me find some control in an area of my life that I wouldn’t even acknowledge was way out of balance. All those things listed in the previous paragraph were side benefits, but what it did for my relationship with Christ has been great. It made me comes to terms with an overindulgent, gluttonous, and wasteful part of my life I was ignoring. In some ways I have recently felt like life is spinning out of control in so many areas. What the Lord taught me that they always have been, and now I have the wisdom to see it. Growth can be so disconcerting sometimes.

There is great benefit in giving up something for a time. Because there is a set date to go back to it, it is easier to hold to, but in that time, it is amazing how easy it is to do without some things we insist we need. While sacrificing something, looking back, I feel like I sacrificed nothing.

Next year I have already decided to give up TV. That is causing some anxiety, which means it is a good choice.

-posted while listening to this week's Car Talk