The Lenten Season Is Upon Us

Today is Pancake Tuesday. Free pancakes at IHOP everyone! In other news, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and the Lenten Season begins.

I’m not Catholic, but I still try and do something to commerate the six-week vigil until Easter. This year it’s hard since we have the Scotland trip in two weeks – I’m not giving up/doing anything that will ruin my vacation.

I’ve decided that this year I’m giving up my lunches outside the office. Now, these lunches are very important to me. #1 – they are TASTY. I got to Just Fresh and have their California Dreamer wrap which is lean roast beef, zesty artichoke, chopped tomatoes and lettuce in a spinach wrap. I also get a small bag of chips, a bottle of water and a Heath Bar cookie. On really cold days I’ll splurge and get a cup of Triple Chocolate Hot Cocoa. I don’t go every day, but I go often enough that I’m considered a regular and the two girls that work the register know the only question to ask me is “Do you want hot cocoa today?” I’m THAT predictable.

#2 – it’s my one time of day to get AWAY. It’s an hour, and I get to get away from the office where I don’t have to talk, I don’t have to do anything other than enjoy my food and read my book for a while. It’s the only time of day I get to read and escape for a few minutes. So by giving up lunches out for Lent I’m possibly not going to do much reading other than on the plane rides to and from Scotland.

But a good thing: It’ll save me some money AND some calories. By eating in and staying in the Firm’s breakroom, I’ll be eating lower calorie food (hello, Lean Cuisine!) and I won’t be spending money on cookies and cocoa.

Yesterday when I went to Just Fresh to get my lunch, I told the counter lady that I was giving up the place for Lent and even SHE exclaimed, “Wow – that’s gonna be hard for you!” See – SHE KNOWS. Today is my last day – I plan on splurging and getting the hot cocoa. And then since we’ll be in Scotland for the week I plan on extending my personal Lent and avoiding Just Fresh until April 16.

Now, as for the weekends, I know that I’m getting off scot-free since I don’t do Just Fresh on the weekends, so I’m commiting to working out EACH AND EVERY WEEKEND during Lent. Saturdays AND Sundays. My only out is if I’m dreadfully sick. Denis actually gave me that idea about the gym last night when I mentioned Lent. I haven’t been to the gym in a really long time, but the painting project and other things have kept me from doing it. But this will help me commit to going more often and not wasting the membership.

So, that’s what I’m doing for Lent. Gym every Saturday and Sunday. No ordering lunch outside of the office.

Update at 3:15 p.m.: My lunch ladies were surprised I was going through with my decision to avoid Just Fresh until April 13. “But surely you’ll still come to read?” one of them asked. “I don’t know,” I responded, “That might be too much temptation. Besides – only paying customers, right?” “Oh, you can come anyway – you’re a regular!” That made me feel like a loser and a good customer all at once. Even so, I will not be going in at all because I know enough to know that if I go even just to read I’ll be too tempted to get a Heath Bar cookie…