Who says you have to give up one thing for 40 days?
By: Linda McCarthy
For those of you unfamiliar with the season, the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday are known as Lent. This is the time set aside by Catholics to reflect, engage in self-denial and intentionally perform acts of kindness.
My husband comes from a large Catholic family, so I wasn’t too surprised when he awoke on Ash Wednesday and the first words out of his mouth were, "Let’s give up candy."
I admit I would have preferred hearing, "Good morning my beloved, my beautiful bride and my reason for being." But what can you do? I’ve been with him since we were 16, and the conversation is always the same.
I respond with, "I don’t give anything up, Dave, especially candy. My life is a living hell so I’ve suffered enough." Then he says he’ll pray for me.
Believe me, I’ve tried giving things up. Giving up trying yields the best results. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s far better to give up 40 things for one day than to give up one thing for 40 days. More thought goes into it, and there is no guilt attached.
For example, on day one, I give up cookies, but then I have an Oreo. On day two, I give up foul language, but then I get a potty mouth. You get the idea. It works for me.
This Lent I’m trying a new approach. I’ve taken suffering to a new level by joining a gym.
Let me explain.
All the men in my house have become involved in cage fighting. This entire concept is completely lost on me. Why would you ever want to get into a confrontation without an escape route? Besides, my home already has enough holes in the walls; it’s unnecessary for the boys to go into training to create more.
I was content to mind my own business and let them go. But my middle child suggested that it was time I tried to get in shape, too. He’s out of my will now, but I reluctantly agreed to try.
Though I’m starting out very slowly, by the end of my first visit I had completed circuit training, and I didn’t even touch a machine:
Stretching: I tied my shoes (had to rest after)
Cardio: The membership fee made my heart race (had to rest after)
Free Weights: I needed a wagon for the paperwork/medical release forms (guess I looked like a possible liability had to rest after)
More Cardio: My car was parked four miles away from the entrance (had to rest after/applying for handicapped parking permit)
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, I had a more intense workout at home trying to get into the sports bra. Talk about a medieval torture device!
At one point, it coiled itself around my neck, and I temporarily lost consciousness. I’ve figured it out though; I have to cover myself with non-stick cooking spray, have an oxygen mask ready and tuck all unnecessary skin toward the back. The only problem with that is I can’t tell if I’m coming or going.
Luckily, there are only 39 more days of this.
Linda McCarthy resides in Robbinsville with her husband and three children.

