I agree we should should give up sin before they give up something good. I have had several funny conversations with people who are giving up something that they should not be doing anyway, with full intent to start back up once Lent is over!

But I have always thought of Lent as a time of self denial, meant to draw focus to Christs immense denial and separation from the Father. Self denial is something it seems a Christian has to get good at and generally has a character building quality. Since Lent is a short period, and no one gives up anything forever, I can’t see what harm it will do. Though I don’t think it’s necessary for our walk, I imagine it does more harm than good.
If we never deny ourselves things that are good, like chocolate and barbecue, are we never to fast at all?

So I could give up the daily Starbucks trip and use that money I’d be spending for some extra offering toward God’s work. And who knows? Maybe after Lent the habit will be something I continue, but if not I’ve still done something worthwhile and showed myself I can periodically do something extra that benefits the Kingdom.

Or I could give up Facebook, Twitter or some other time consuming/time wasting hobby or exercise and devote some of that time toward reading good spiritually-oriented books, my Bible or prayer. This allows a concentrated focus on spiritual growth and maturity and learning. And again, perhaps I will cultivate new habits so that when Lent is over my time spent in these areas are more balanced and I’ve created room for more fruitful activity while still allowing for enjoyment of my normal hobbies.

I agree that simply giving up something isn’t the point. It’s giving up something to enable you to do something else that’s better…something that helps propel you toward Christ, including a time for self-examination and yes, hatred and renouncing of sin. Sometimes it just takes a devoted plan such as this to help us concentrate on it more.