Today is the first day of Lent. If you’re Christian, this may mean a forty-day penitence until Easter Sunday. However, it has now become common to give up on something you like for Lent just as a personal challenge. Here’s what the Futureboard team is planning to give up on this Lent. 
The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of the Holy Week, marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, many among the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence.
However, during more modern times, Lent has become a time to challenge yourself and cut down on bad habits.
Futureboard’s Megan says: “I don’t do it for religious reasons, I just do it for the challenge.”
She adds:“Two years ago I decided to give up on putting sugar in my tea, which doesn’t look too challenging but if you think that I drink four cups a day it becomes quite a lot of sugar. This way I don’t get blood sugar slumps. This helped me because I haven’t been putting sugar in my tea for two years now.”
Futureboard’s Matt wants to give up on “highly caloric food”. He says: “I’m going on a workout program and I will also have five meals a day, each of them made of one carb, one protein and one vegetable.”
He adds: “I was going to do it after New Year’s Eve, but I didn’t , so Lent sounds like a good time.”
Lottie says: “I’m going to give up on crisps – I don’t need them. And sweets. And biscuits every day apart from Fridays – that doesn’t include cookies.”
While Futureboard’s Managing Director Katherine says she’s still choosing whether to give up on sugar or dairy, Futureboard’s Kiera says: “I’m going to give up everything! I usually go off biscuits, fizzy drinks, take-aways, crisps. I’m also going to give up everything sugary – apart from Ice pops, because they make me happy. But I also want to do more and work out!”
However, not everyone at Futureboard shares their enthusiasm for getting rid of unhealthy food. Nathan says: I think you’re MAD! Feel free to quote me directly….”
Nick agrees: “I’m perfect as I am – also feel free to quote directly.”
Kerry will go for a less threatening approach to Lent: “Last year instead of giving up on something I just ate extra fruit – so I opted for intake. I might do it again: it’s less painful than giving something up!”
We’d like to know what you are giving up for Lent and what this occasion means to you, so feel free to get in touch!
Good luck with your Lent resolutions from the Futureboard staff.
Picture by: SodaHead