Like so much else, Lent is what you make of it.

I've used Lent as an excuse to diet. Someone in the office offers a donut and you say, "No thanks, it's Lent." They back off, and the calories are foregone. I lost 10 lbs that Lent... (That place was infested with donuts)

I was taught that the best Lenten discipline is something that means something to you, and is difficult to accomplish. One year I gave up a certain thought pattern - now that was tough, I shoulda given up chocolate, instead.

Oh, and you don't have to give up something, you can add something - like 10 extra pushups every morning.

I'm not saying what I'm doing for Lent this year, but it will be a stretch for me.