Journey Through Lent (Part 1)

Chris and I are not particularly religious people; however, technically Chris is Greek Orthodox. After packing on a few winter pounds, Chris decided that he would participate in Lent this year. I'm not quite sure if you're supposed to use Lent as a fitness program, none the less, he has decided to commit. Now, Lent for the Orthodox started this past Monday, and lasts until Easter (supposedly 40 days), and with the fast, there is to be no consuming of meat products, or alcohol.

To explain a bit about Chris, I have seen him consume meat from 5 different animals in one sitting. Rarely do we have a dinner in which he does not succumb to meat sweats. As far as alcohol goes, let's just say he enjoys more than a snifter of wine around the holidays. Now, I would not say his drinking is excessive, but he does like to have a few cocktails on weekends.

I think Chris' struggles with moderation all this stems from childhood when his mother's number one source of joy was that her son "always cleaned his plate". Chris is not overweight, but he does have a rib that detaches when he eats to much, and this happens, roughly, six- eight times a week.

I'm not saying I think he's going to fail, I simply think he's going to end up curled up in the fetal position rocking back and forth in the dark, by week two.



So Part One, in what will probably be a six part series, will be mostly about the day before he started, through to day 5 (today).


Sunday Evening (Day before Lent)

Chris consumed nearly an entire pig today, a bottle of wine, and half a pack of cigarettes (which is odd, because he really doesn't smoke). He should be in good shape tomorrow to start his fast. My guess is that he will not be able to keep any food down either way.


Monday Morning (Day 1)

It occurred to me that Chris is not very educated on healthy or varied vegetarian cuisine: this morning he ate one plain hot dog bun, and packed another plain hot dog bun for lunch.


Monday 10 a.m. (Day 1)

I received a phone call from Chris just now; apparently, he does not yet miss meat. It's been 2 hours since Lent started.


Wednesday Evening (Day 3)

I had to go to our local farmer's market today to find vegetarian food for Chris, because we are out of hot dog buns, and we have no condiments left in the whole house. I'm also missing a 5 lbs bag of flower.


Friday 4 a.m. (Day 5)

I was awoke by whimpering sounds, both the dogs were fine, so I asked Chris, who, to my surprise, was awake: he told me he was dreaming that he was eating a huge pile of bacon at his mom's house, and when he woke up he was in his bed, in a pile of drool, and no bacon.


xoxox,
m