Well, this is it.

Ash Wednesday. My 20th Lent in a row starts now. It's a late start this year, with Easter Sunday being almost as late as it possibly can be. As in previous years, a list of what I'm cutting out of my life for the next 46 days:

• Caffeine (coffee and tea)
• Alcohol
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy products (cheese, butter, yogurt)
• Fast food (pizzas, French fries)
• Salt snacks (crisps, salted peanuts etc)
• Confectionery (chocolate, sweets)
• Cakes, biscuits
• Salt (no sprinkling salt on my food)

So what am I eating and drinking between now and Easter Sunday?

• Fish
• Fruit in abundance
• Vegetables in abundance
• Bread
• Crispbread
• Cholesterol-reducing margarine
• Soya protein, tofu
• Mineral water
• Fruit juice
• Herbal and fruit infusions

And the purpose of this self-denial?

• To cleanse the system
• To strengthen the will
• To reflect on matters spiritual

For the record, this morning I weighed in at 71kg (156lb or 11st 2lbs); round the middle where I am fattest, the tape measure shows 94.5cm (37 and a quarter inches). It's here I want a reduction. I've started daily exercises in the New Year; this morning I did 85 sit-ups and 25 press-ups. From now until Easter, I'll be doing sit-ups and press-ups twice a day.

This time last year:
Half way through Lent

This time three years ago:
Spring much closer (than it is this year)