Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

This year, Mardi Gras has gotten a lot of attention because of Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans. Mardi Gras is a wild celebration with the idea of eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow starts Lent.

For those of the Catholic Faith, Lent starts today. For some, Lent involves much stricter (and maybe even healthier) living. Lent is the practice of giving up a food or activity that represents a sin that is particularly difficult for you to conquer. There is also an element of fasting in the tradition of Lent, whether it be meat (for the entire forty days or just on Fridays) or, for the truly devote, fasting entirely for one day a week.

Forty days is long enough to develop a new habit. You don’t need to be Catholic to give up something for Lent. Use this time to re-devote yourself to your personal health and fitness. Choose something to give up, or, even better, choose something positive to add to your life everyday. You can use this religious time for your own means and have a healthy habit in a month and a half.

For more information about Lent, see Belief.net:

Lent–Christian season of repentance and reflection before Easter–Beliefnet.com