Starting early

I figured out what I'm giving up for Lent this year. I'm saying goodbye to cookies, ice cream and peanut butter.

I picked those three items because when they are in the house, I can't stay away from them. Eating multiple cookies in one sitting. The never ending only one more scoop of ice cream. I say that as I stand at the kitchen counter eating it from the container. Eating an entire package of crackers with peanut butter spread on it.

Enough is enough. Instead of waiting for the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday (February 22), I decided to start early. I started my dessert fast of cookies, ice cream and peanut butter Monday.

Just because I'm run crazy miles, it doesn't give me a free pass to eat so much. People think because I run so much that I can eat anything I want. That is not true. I gain weight very easy. If I over eat one day, I can gain 1.5-2 pounds or more. It is all very frustrating. But it is my fault. I need more self control.

No more ice cream, cookies or peanut butter until Easter, which is April 8. During previous Lenten periods, I have given up a number of things: chocolate, chips, the vending machine at work and pop. The year I gave up pop, I never went back to drinking it after Lent was over. I do have a sip every now and then. But it is a sip; not an entire bottle, cup or can. Maybe this time around after Lent is over, I won't have the urge to start eating these items regularly again. I'm hoping it will be like my pop craving: just a small taste.