What am I giving up for Lent?

Source

Today in the Christian church, begins the season of Lent. It is the season leading up to Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus. Lent has traditionally been a time for people to give up something as a sacrifice to remind them of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made.

I have been giving up things for Lent as long as I can remember. Being raised in the Catholic Church, I was encouraged from a young age to give something up...growing up it was usually sweets. Even now, I try to give something up for Lent and I encourage my kids to also give something up. 

SO WHAT AM I GIVING UP FOR LENT THIS YEAR? 

This year, I am giving up drinking pop. I have gotten into a really bad habit of drinking a lot of pop again and I know it is not good for my overall health. I will be replacing pop with water. My husband is also giving up drinking pop. It is going to be a hard sacrifice for both of us, but will be worth it in the end.

I am also going to vow to exercise at least 20 minutes every day during Lent. I have let me weight and overall health go by the wayside and now is the time to get back into the habit of exercising and working on becoming a better me. I will do this either by walking the kids to and from school (when the weather allows), working out on the Wii, or working out to an exercise dvd. I own a couple and I can always get more at the library. 

I hope by doing these 2 things that I will feel more in control of who I am physically and will feel better overall, while reminding myself that my body is a precious gift and I need to take care of it. 

Do you give up anything for Lent?