Kitty,
Lent starts March 5 (Ash Wednesday) and goes until Easter -- well, actually it's really 40 days plus 6 Sundays (you can lessen your restrictions on the Sundays).
I am going to give up chocolate, any extras when I eat out (french fries, regular sodas, appetizers/desserts that "don't count because we're sharing...") and also meat for most meals (when I have "Say so" and we're not invited to someone's house), then save the money from the extras and meat I would have purchased to give to a good cause. Since my niece recently passed away, I'll send it to her favorite charity this year.
I've been pretty good about restricting those "extras" and try to factor them in, but there's no way that sharing a big appetizer tray -- with fried chicken, cheese, potato skins and battered/fried mushrooms and artichoke hearts along with all the fat-laden sauces/dips -- is good for me in ANY capacity!