What are you giving up?

So. You want to do the 40 Hour Famine. You’re prepared to spend 40 hours without something you love, just so you can understand a bit better what it’s like for kids who have no choice but to go without.

The question is: What are you giving up? Because food isn’t the only thing you have an appetite for.

You could give up...food

Do something really traditional. Go 40 hours without food. Go to bed hungry, wake up hungry, spend the weekend hungry. Get a taste of what it’s like for around a billion people every day. Now that’s doing something real. If you decide to give up grub, make sure you read our tips for staying safe.

You could give up...furniture

Do something really uncomfortable. Sit on the floor, sleep on the ground, eat standing up. You sure will like your bed when you get it back.

You could give up...internet

Do something really old-fashioned. Think you can spend the weekend without Facebook, Twitter, Google and LOLcats? You’ll miss those internet memes, but talking to people face-to-face might grow on you...

You could give up...your mobile phone

Do something really disconnected. Give up your phone for the weekend. Stop texting, calling, surfing, app-ing, playing. Go without a clock and an alarm too. Now try to find your friends in a crowd.

You could give up...video games

Do something really, um, outdoorsy? If you switch your games off for the weekend, what will you do with your time? Turn off your Playstation, Wii and Xbox. Now, what else can you possibly find to do?

You could give up...transport

Do something really hard on your feet. Forgo the car, the bus, the tram, the train, your bike, your scooter, your skateboard. See how you go walking everywhere you need to get to. How long does it take?

You could give up...shopping

Do something really cheap. What if you didn’t buy anything all weekend? Not even a soft drink or a bus ticket. How would you go?