[Republic]

Very strong. When does the fasting begin and it is still the giving up of a favored food during lent? Or is real fasting still done and if so, how long does it last?

[marshmallow]

Fasting often involves abstinence from a favorite food but it can also involve abstinence from some other activity which the penitent enjoys. Self-denial of some form is the common denominator and that doesn't necessarily have to involve food.

Modern Church law prescribes abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent and Ash Wednesday and also fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; fasting being defined as one main meal and two smaller meals. That's a fairly relaxed form of fasting, IMHO. However, in addition, penitents often voluntarily forsake some other pleasure for the entire duration of Lent which is a little over 6 weeks.