So the other day I stepped on one of those digital bathroom scales just for fun. It was quite surprising to hear the thing yell “GET OFF!” Ok, it wasn’t really a talking scale and it didn’t actually tell me to get off, but that’s the thought that went through my head when I read the scale – 245 pounds. What happened to 230? I am pretty sure that’s what I weighed a few months ago!

Problem is I started a new job back in November, and it has kept me so busy I haven’t had any time to prepare healthy lunches. I usually end up at Subway or Arby’s for lunch. I seem to recall a few months back I vowed not to eat fast food any longer. Guess I haven’t stuck to that much. Until now.

Starting on May 1st I have been having a salad for lunch. They generally consist of a leaf of Romaine lettuce, a generous helping of baby spinach leaves, cucumbers, tomatoes, a hard boiled egg and golden raisins – all of which are organic by the way. But that will quickly get boring, so I implore you to help me find other healthy items to add to my salad. I try to avoid bacon bits and croutons and those oily salad dressings and can usually tolerate my salad without them. But I feel the salad needs some protein – any suggestions?

I would love to build up my recipe collection and will be working on some fun salad recipes over the next couple of weeks. I have decided that I will only have a salad for lunch every day, including weekends, for the month of May and see how things go. I am hoping it will become a habit for me that I won’t break. I’ll even save a few bucks and maybe be able to put that savings towards a gym membership – if I can find one within walking or biking distance.

So today I had the van in to the shop for an oil change and routine maintenance. I drove the van over and the owner drove me home and took the van back to the shop. After the work was done I told him I would come over so he didn’t have to take time out of his busy schedule to bring it back to me. You see, the idea was that I would walk over for a little exercise. Then I had the bright idea to get my bike out and ride – it’s only 4 blocks so how bad could it be?

Well, it had been about a decade since I last rode a bike, so needless to say my legs were out of shape for pumping even that short 4 blocks. I’d like to say it was an uphill battle, cause it sure felt like it, but it’s a relatively flat ride up there, and some of it was even downhill. I didn’t feel too bad after riding the four blocks – in fact, I was feeling pretty good – I had finally gotten some much needed exercise. Then I got off the bike. The guys in the shop couldn’t stop laughing as I stumbled on what felt like newborn legs up to the office. It took about 10 minutes to walk what is essentially only 30 feet. I felt like an idiot.

So why am I telling you this? No reason really. It’s more for me to get this out into the world so each time I come to my blog for the next few days I get this reminder that I am out of shape. Maybe, just maybe that will encourage me to get out and ride a few blocks every day – and eventually build into a few miles. Now, I don’t think I will be riding in any bike races any time soon, but I’m young so there’s time. For now I will just stick to riding to the end of the block and back to get the mail.