Cutting back the Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras, literally “Fat Tuesday,” has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the “last hurrah” before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

— Taken from American Catholic Website

I gotta admit… Mardi Gras intrigues me. I’ve never been to New Orleans. I’ve never flashed anyone for beads. I’ve never stuffed myself silly. I have, though, had a King Cake before. So I’ve got that going for me (which is nice.)

However, I have regularly given something up for Lent. If I recall correctly, I gave up beer last year. A few years I gave up candy. I’ve tried to “list something I am thankful for” every day of lent, but usually ended up failing miserably. So some years I’ve just said, “I’m going to try to do better in general.”

This year, I am still being fairly broad in my Lenten sacrifice, but I’m doing so with some clear cut plans.

  • Cut back to 1 soda a day, or as close as possible. I can easily down multiple cans of soda a day, if I am not careful. I need to cut that back for many reasons, so probably my biggest challenge will be to cut it back to 1 a day. (I’m not totally cutting it out because sometimes a soda is the only thing that will settle an upset tummy for me.)
  • Drink more water. I’m already doing that with the purchase of my new water bottle! I refill it multiple times a day now, so I know I’m drinking a lot more water than before.
  • Stop eating when I am full. This was never a problem back in the day! But somewhere along the way, I’ve gotten to where I eat well past “full.” I want my old habit back!
  • Eat only when I am hungry. I’ve gotten into the habit of eating just because it seems like a good thing to do. To curb this, I want to start munching on something like sunflower seeds that gives me the feel of eating without the super-crazy calories! And, besides, if I am not hungry, just don’t eat! Its that simple!

I’d love to be several pounds lighter by Easter. Oh I’m doing fine weight-wise, really. Well within my normal BMI. This is a personal health goal to avoid falling into a pattern that won’t be as easy to stop in the future. (And, really, I want to lose the muffin top, ok?)

Healthier habits for a healthier me!

4 thoughts on “Cutting back the Fat Tuesday”

    1. You’re on!!! We can do it!

      I’m kind of amazes how fast I am seeing changes with this new mindset and goal. It’s subtle, but already my jeans fit just a little different. Makes me want to keep it up for sure!!

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