I'm trying to give up smoking for lent.

Day One: Going ok so far, but somebody had better give me a really good reason not to pop into the newsagents on my walk home.

Any suggestions?

What's everyone else given up, if anything :o

Want a good reason, well here it is.CANCER !!!!!! :? :? :? [/u]

It took you a long time to reply...

Anyway, I got to 9pm on 'Ash' Wednesday (excuse the pun) before I caved in.

As many people will know, today is Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent again. It is customary amoung Christians and anyone else who feels they have too many vices to give something up for 40 days and 40 nights, to symbolise the period that Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

I don't normally bother giving anything up, last year I tried to give up smoking but only lasted 12 hours. This year it's alcohol that is getting the chop and I'm more optimistic that I can make it because I've been semi-teetotal fo a while now. The main insentive for this decision is lack of funds - I've worked out I've only got £5.40 per day until my next loan installment goes into my account.

I confess, I did have a couple after midnight last night, finishing up my stock but I'm sure God will forgive me for that :D

Wish me luck people!

Just remembered, I did this thread last year too, so I've merged them.

Originally posted by Sidla
Just remembered, I did this thread last year too, so I've merged them.

HEHE ... so Sidla ... if it didn't work last year ... what's going to make it work this time around !?

Oh ... and please don't call me James or Jim !!!

Good luck :-)

Originally posted by Jamie
Oh ... and please don't call me James or Jim !!!
He he, there's no way I could give that up Jimbo, it annoys you too much!

I had more money last year. This year I have to suceed!

Ok... well I'm continuing my giving up Crisps...

Almost a full year since I started this... doing well so far... :P

I to have given up on the old cancer sticks, not really for lent, purely cos Im still in the throes of tonsilitis and smoking is not good, altho the menthol fumes may help clear cold which seems to be attacking me now!
Gonna try and beat my record, last time I gave up smoking for two years so lets see! Also cannot afford them even tho I do have "contacts" to get me cheap cigs. Ahhh the underground nicotine racket, knew there was a good reason for working in a bingo hall! :thumbsup:
xxx

I suppose my lent started 3 weeks early when I have up drinking.. I will have been sober for exactly one month by Saturday night.

I plan to keep this up for at least 40 days :thumbsup:

I've given up Pizza for lent!

When is lent over again? *Tries to hide the shakes and withdrawl symptoms*

When is lent over again?
Easter Sunday.

have also had to give up on the cancer sticks.. at first was for tonsilitis reasons (smoking brings great pain) but now it is just because i dont like it, dont have enough money and never intended to start in the first place!

so far not had a full one all day for nearly 2 weeks, quitting totally is my aim but it is a start!

hope it lasts!

Oooh gawd... I don't know what I'm giving up or have meant to have started to give up... I guess it's my slacking really... I've gave up slacking for lent lol!!! I've been working dead hard at school since I went back on tuesday, I've been handing my teacher's plastic wallets full of work to mark and they're pretty impressed with me! So yeah, the slacking... I'd best get off here then! :P

I've not given up anything for Lent because I'm anti-religion and anything related to it. Why deny ourselves pleasure just because some ancient and outdated custom says we have to?

Priest: Thou shalt not!

Me: B*llocks mate, I feckin shall!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

[/atheist rant]

I spose I could give up sex but I started that way before Lent. Surely the 40 days/40 nights are up now! :rolleyes:

Nothing - don't believe in fairy tales.

Originally posted by Pauly


I spose I could give up sex but I started that way before Lent. Surely the 40 days/40 nights are up now! :rolleyes:

lol - sorry had to laugh :D :thumbsup: Go out tomorrow night and get yourself some.

Originally posted by Martin_s
Ok... well I'm continuing my giving up Crisps...

Almost a full year since I started this... doing well so far... :P

Why crisps? They are great!! :D :thumbsup: :D :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Bookey
lol - sorry had to laugh :D :thumbsup: Go out tomorrow night and get yourself some.

Hehe, nah I'm in no rush mate. Glad to amuse you. :D

Originally posted by t020
Nothing - don't believe in fairy tales.
You always have to put the boot in don't you? :rolleyes:

We all have our judgement day Sidla.... let him scoff while he can!:P

Originally posted by Sidla
You always have to put the boot in don't you? :rolleyes:

To be fair to t020 he did only make a small comment whereas mine said the same thing but was a little more insensitive to those who happen to be religious. If it'd been t020 that'd posted it would you have commented on him, cos you never made a peep about my post?

Not really sticking up for anyone, just curious. :)

i dont think there is anything wrong with T020 giving his opinion on religion, as Pauly also did and no-one commented! maybe was a little harsh to put it that way, but that is exactly how i put it today in RE lesson so i can comment really!

(sticking up for T020?!? cant be!)

I'm giving up lent

Good for you. :D

Originally posted by Sidla
As many people will know, today is Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent again. It is customary amoung Christians and anyone else who feels they have too many vices to give something up for 40 days and 40 nights, to symbolise the period that Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

I don't normally bother giving anything up, last year I tried to give up smoking but only lasted 12 hours. This year it's alcohol that is getting the chop and I'm more optimistic that I can make it because I've been semi-teetotal fo a while now. The main insentive for this decision is lack of funds - I've worked out I've only got £5.40 per day until my next loan installment goes into my account.

I confess, I did have a couple after midnight last night, finishing up my stock but I'm sure God will forgive me for that :D

Wish me luck people!

Especially since you tried to get around him/her by spelling his/her name with a capital 'G' to make his/her day (or even all seven).

Most forget.

Guilt?

Originally posted by Bookey
Why crisps? They are great!! :D :thumbsup: :D :thumbsup:

I think that's the whole point :) Giving up something that you enjoy. Giving up something for Lent makes you realise just how much you have and the value of luxury. It makes you learn self discipline and thus the value and lesson of Lent. I think that even if you aren't religious, if you try and give up something, its teaches you that you can have self discipline and do what you need to do for yourself - if noone else.

[gets of the soap box]

Originally posted by seneca_falls
I think that's the whole point :) Giving up something that you enjoy. Giving up something for Lent makes you realise just how much you have and the value of luxury. It makes you learn self discipline and thus the value and lesson of Lent. I think that even if you aren't religious, if you try and give up something, its teaches you that you can have self discipline and do what you need to do for yourself - if noone else.

[gets of the soap box]


1. I don't need to give up the things I enjoy to appreciate how lucky I am - I do that every time I do things I like
2. I'm not very good at self-discipline when it comes to depriving myself of things that I like because life creates enough obstacles to doing the things you like
3. I learnt long ago that I don't have an awful lot of self discipline so I only feel double bad by trying to deprive myself and then failing
4. If I want to do something then I do do it for me (do I sound selfish??? - I'm not - believe me)

So for my mental health I need to not give up the things that I like!! Simple as that (well bit waffly - bit simple concept).

Originally posted by seneca_falls
I think that's the whole point :) Giving up something that you enjoy. Giving up something for Lent makes you realise just how much you have and the value of luxury. It makes you learn self discipline and thus the value and lesson of Lent. I think that even if you aren't religious, if you try and give up something, its teaches you that you can have self discipline and do what you need to do for yourself - if noone else.

[gets of the soap box]

As hiyabeing said, why bother giving something up and pointlessly 'testing' yourself if you enjoy doing it. Life's too short to be hard on yourself. It can be hard enough as it is.....why make it harder? Enjoy what you've got while you have it! :D

Fair enough, you've learnt from life to appreciate the good things that happen - but some people do need to go without to appreciate just what they have - esp. people who have like five Jags in front of their house and then complain about not having enough money. Lots of people dont need to give up something to appreciate it but giving up something for Lent helps some people to understand.. I suppose its a bit like Muslims fasting in Ramadan.

You dont sound selfish at all just world wise. But as you say you have tried to give something up before - I know alot of people who havent even dared to give it a go. You've given it a go and learnt your lesson - as you say, you can appreciate how lucky you are. Some people have yet to learn that lesson.

If you know your limitations then fine but I think giving up something for a short amount of time makes you like it just that little bit more when you get to do/have it again.

Having said all this I agree with you Hiyabeing. I too can appreciate just how forunate I really am and agree that to do something, you SHOULD want to do it for yourself.. If you understand and know how precious everything you have is - you dont need to do anything to prove it to anyone

Oh Bu*@er it!
I've got another bottle of wine to open with wifey and now I'm feeling guilty!
Yes I should give up something for lent!
during the moments that I think of what I am missing during the next few days, let me think instead of those around me who don't have the luxuries with which I have surrounded myself. Allowing me the opportunity to realise what it is to go without something. (this is very rare)
And I will make an effort to get to Mass as well.

Well, I tried.

Maybe I can make an exception to Fridays....

Originally posted by Bookey
Why crisps? They are great!! :D :thumbsup: :D :thumbsup:
Gave them up for Comic Relief.. 2 years (1 almost down)... and why crisps?.. well because a friend of mine was giving up smoking (or trying to) and called me on giving up something that was part of my everyday routine..

I used to eat about 3 packs a day... Roll on March 2005

Have you got a specfic time of day as well or just first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Originally posted by Pauly
To be fair to t020 he did only make a small comment whereas mine said the same thing but was a little more insensitive to those who happen to be religious. If it'd been t020 that'd posted it would you have commented on him, cos you never made a peep about my post?

Not really sticking up for anyone, just curious. :)
I commented on t020 because he's the one with the habit of saying controversial things just for the sake of it.

Two weeks without ciggies yay :thumbsup:
I dont need those nasty cancer sticks, those long thin evil creations with vile, foul smelling tobacco poking out the end......

Mmmmmmm tobacco

DOH!

Will not give in, too expensive and throat is still knackered. Worse thing is having nothing to do with hands, need summat to fiddle with! (keep it clean people)
xxx

Whats all the hoo haa about giving up smoking, it's not a big deal stopping smking. I've stopped smoking at least once a week for more than 20 years now, easy peasy.

Absolutely nothing. i'm a lapsed protestant with atheist undertones, so don't need to give anything up. pass those fags will you? And keep you hands off my malibu.

Im giving up listening to t020.

I'm sure it'll be a strain on all of your mental and physical resources but I know you can do it. ;)

Bum! :mad:
Gave in to temptation and had one one cigarette in the pub after work on Friday grrrrr! but not had another since :thumbsup: is tricky when everyone else around you is smoking and youre just staring misty eyed at the little white stick....
waaaah!
cold turkey sucks! chewed way too much gum, probably got the most defined jaw muscles now! :D

Don't worry, you lasted longer than I did. I can't handle this fasting lark, dunno how Jesus managed it. Or David Blaine for that matter.

David Blaine had a stunt double!...now thats magic Shazam! :P :D

at least when I had the solitary cigarette I didnt think bugger this for a game of soldiers and work me way down a pack of 20! smoked the one, felt greatly annoyed with self day after and resolve not to fall in same trap again!

Its not like I smoke that much anyway :roll: :razz: