Lent is Upon Us, Catholics!

So for those of you that are Catholic, I thought it would be mindful of me to remind you all that Lent is literally right around the corner. Like it starts tomorrow... 

Actually, I really needed a reminder myself since I CLEARLY forgot this morning when I packed my lunch for FAT Tuesday...

#fatty

It's hard to believe that my first post on my blog was around this time last year, and specifically about Lenten season as well. 

Man how time flies...

Let's reflect from last year's Lent post:

I quote-unquote stated, "This Lenten season is going to be my own worst enemy. There are two things that I almost can't go a day without (sounds dramatic but it's true); sweets and Diet Coke." Whelp... that still stands true. Except now I can go for a week or so without sweets or Diet Coke before the craving really hits hard. I did, however, obey my Catholic obligations and went the entire 40 days and 40 nights with no sweets and Diet Coke! At the end of it, I may have looked like a deprived zombie, but I was proud that I actually did it. However, once day 41 dawned on me, I might or might not have had Sour Patch Kids (the Watermelon kind of course) and a big 32 ounce Polar Pop in my hand. 

Although giving up sweets and Diet Coke was truly a difficult task for me, and would even be a good idea for this year's Lenten season, I've gone ahead and decided that this year must be different. 

This year, for Lent, I have decided to DO things instead of GIVE UP things. It sounds easy, but it won't be. For 40 days and 40 nights, I promise to; 1. track EVERYTHING I eat for Weight Watchers EVERY single day (Lord help me. For those of you on WW, you know how much this sucks), 2. work out 5 times a week (again, Lord help me. If that means I have to get up at 6am to do it, ugggggh then I'll do it), and 3. To pray everyday. 

If you don't know me, one who does would tell you that I am a person of routine. Because of my routines, it is very easy for me to forget to do things that aren't a daily thing for me. Therefore, I have created this to post on my bathroom mirror:

Baaah I am so clever with my whole Eat, Pray, Love reference. 

...I might need to even set this as my background on my phone... 

... I might even need someone to follow me around to help hold me accountable for my actions...

...is there an app for that?

But Jo(W)anna know what? Even if you're not Catholic, you should try and see how long you can go without something you love, or in my case, trying to do something more often that you don't do regularly.  I secretly love Lenten season because by the end of it, I not only feel a sense of accomplishment, but I recognize how grateful I should be for the little things I may take for granted every day. Giving up sweets and Diet Coke, or trying to work out, pray and track my food more often, are only a grain of sand when compared to the much bigger sacrifices our Lord and a lot of other people have made for us. 

Amen, Willy. 

Anyways, I hope all you Catholics have a fulfilling and mindful Lenten season! Don't give in to temptation; you'll feel like a better person if you don't! Just ask the Pope...

Oh wait... disregard that.

(Too soon?)

Happy Fat Tuesday!