So today is Ash Wednesday, which is a thing that some people celebrate by taking a Sharpie to their foreheads or something I think, but it’s also the start of Lent – the forty day period until something something I don’t know. The main point about Lent is that people give something indulgent up for 40 days as a sacrifice, like for example soda or candy or meat or alcohol. Although I am not a religious person, I’ve always thought that making an effort to give something up for a period of time is a good test of your willpower. However, booze, soda, candy… those are so last year. BCU has our own list of things we should give up, and here are the top 3:

1. Carbs

More and more studies are revealing that it isn’t the fat in our diets that is actually making us fat – it’s the carbohydrates. According to research, eating a diet too high in carbohydrates and low in fat actually does the opposite of what you intend. Because they are easier to burn, your body will use the carbohydrates as fuel instead of the fat, and despite your only consuming 1000 calories a day, you won’t lose weight all that fast. If you can go the entire 40 days keeping under 100 grams of carbs a day, your body will begin burning fat for fuel, and you’ll see significant weight loss very quick. The downsides: the first week is PAINFUL, and low-carb will mean cutting out beer for the most part. Trust us – it’s worth it.

2. Video Games/TV

I know we all love a good 5 hour Halo sesh, but by cutting out your video game and mindless TV usage, you’ll find that you have time for all the activities you usually think you don’t have time for. Plus, getting out of the house will give you a a daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun that can boost your mood. PLUS the sun can do this thing where it browns your skin a little bit and it’s called tanning and it will help your skin look less like mayonnaise.

3. Your boring life

This Lent, promise yourself that you will stop ending up at that dingy ass club or pub by your house with the same people and the same music every weekend. Make an effort to try new things, meet new people, taste new drinks (watch your carbs, bro), eat new food, and just generally be a different person than you normally are. I’m not saying give up your convictions or anything (and I’m definitely not saying you should get yourself in a relationship because ew) , but just by taking a break from the monotony of life can help you reinvent yourself and see the world in a new light. I’m pretty sure this was the main intention of Lent (getting people to start actively thinking about their choices instead of just sleepwalking through life), and not just a way to get kids to get off Facebook for a month and a half.

HAPPY LENT, and we’ll check in with you when it’s over, on that day with the bunny and the eggs and the Jesus rising from the dead business.