A Bit of a Rant Today on the Passing Scene

I had cereal today - Wheaties - it was low in calories as far as cereals go, and judging from the nutritional value as decent as you’ll find in the grocery store. I just had a desire for Wheaties, that’s all. Can’t remember the last time I had them! Anyway, with some soy milk they were very good. But, yes, a bowl of oatmeal or fruit would be better for me, however, looking at my breakfasts this past month has been excellent – a good mix of oatmeal, and fruit, and only a few days of cereal.

For lunch I had another client luncheon – this time with a pregnant woman! She was keen for Greek, so off we went to Molyvos again. I had humus with pita bread and olives. Of course it tasted good, but I felt guilty – too much pita, and too much oil from the olives. I had the Greek salad without the feta cheese, and of course, too much oil. I guess I could have ordered no oil on the salad, but when I am in the company of a client, no matter how friendly I am with her, I just feel like an ass making suggestions to my meal. I need to find a restaurant which serves a great menu for “normal” people, and a large hearty salad for vegans who are looking for a nutrient-dense meal without much dressing at all. It was a great conversation about dieting - she is pregnant, and her husband is on a hardcore 90-day eating and workout regimen. We also discussed why women not only assumed I would cheat on the diet, but are a little miffed I have been so diligent. Her theory is that women diet all the time, and cheat on their diet all the time, so the fact that a man can just decide to flip a switch and be militant to a new healthy lifestyle is confounding.

I then met up with my old boss, who had also invited advertising clients, to the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden. I was not hungry, but even if I had been, there was nothing to eat at the The Garden. I must say, I saw a neat little gadget. They were selling beers in a plastic mug, and in the handle of this mug was a slot to stick a large pretzel stick. Maybe I was envious of their afternoon drinking at a basketball game, but I thought it rather ingenious. From amazing seats we watched the University of Connecticut get crushed by St. Johns University. Although it looked like a persistent street mugging (The Big East plays that way), it was entertaining. Of course the image that stuck out the most was seeing some players from the previous game walk into the stands – young men in impeccable shape – drinking sodas. I guess youth is really wasted on the young.

The more I hear about this soda tax the more disingenuous it sounds to me. It is just another revenue stream for the state that will not do one bit of good to help reduce childhood obesity. First of all, increasing a can of soda from $1.00 to $1.12 will not deter any lover of soda from that soda, no matter the income level. But let’s say it does, for the sake of argument – what about candy bars, ice cream, and all that fast food which is even worse for childhood obesity? They are not getting taxed. If somehow this tax resulted in every school having mandatory Physical Education and Health instruction at least three times per week, then I would be willing to listen. But, as it stands, this tax on soda will accomplish none of its goals, and in the end, it is the parent’s responsibility to raise their children in a basic common sense, and healthy manner.

Another element of state-sponsored misguided do-gooderism is the banning of bake sales in NYC public schools. Why? Because cookies, and brownies are unhealthy. Oh, OK, let’s look at the American tradition of school clubs, and sports teams, and organizations holding bake sales at their school to raise money. Let’s look at it for the past, Oh, I don’t know, 75 years. Look at the all the children who had a few bake sales each year in their school in, say, 1935. Go, ahead, grab your Grandparent’s school yearbook. Ok, how about looking at all those millions of school kids where bake sales were tradition in, say, 1948, or 1957, or ’63, or ’78. What do we see? Most every child was thin! So, in current day NYC, in a school district where there is an epidemic of obesity, and a fast food store on every corner acting as these kid’s daily nutritional intake, and a rather inactive and sedentary student body, some Ivory Tower politicians decide that the best way to combat this serious problem is to make Coke a few pennies more, and prevent Margaret from selling her brownies to raise money for the Key Club. Insanity!

I say let the free market determine the cost of goods and services, and really attack this problem of obesity. Even though the rearing of children must be the responsibility of the parents, schools should be aggressive in the teaching of nutritional health, and home economics so children can learn what to eat, how to cook it and why. Sadly, today, those courses are largely non-existent. Also, rigorous instruction and participation in Physical Education every year is a must.  Additionally, a letter sent to all parents explaining the difference between Asthma and fatigue, and to be excused from full participation in PE class the child must bring in 7 letters from 7 doctors, and go before a panel made up of former Draft Board members from Southern States who served between 1967-1971 before they are allowed to sit out a game of dodge ball.

I know that advertising junk food is an enormous influence on children – the McDonald’s ad during the Winter Olympics saying, “Today we eat like an Olympian,” was outrageous. Bruce Jenner probably never ate a bowl of Wheaties until after he won the Gold Medal in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Games, but I can assure you he was not feasting on burgers and fries while training either! But, simply penalizing the free market economy and those who spend the most on advertising is not the right idea on many levels. The bottom line is that the state has the children from 8 AM – 3 PM every day for years, and that is plenty of time to educate them on good nutrition and the perils of an unhealthy life.

I am making more of a stand here in this debate, and I would cherish some dissenting opinions.

Progress is Progress, With or Without a Smile

I was never injured on a PT boat during the war in the Pacific, but each time I arose from my chair and buttoned my coat today I was stiff and grimaced slightly like those old newsreels of John F. Kennedy.

My back is still sore, but I would stretch it as best I could and powered through. It's like when you were a kid and banged your arm or leg during practice, something that hurt, but was clearly not an injury, and your stern coach would scoff at any belly-aching and say something like, "Rub some dirt on it, you'll be fine," or "You'll be able to walk by the time you're married." Draconian advice to toughen up young lads when no serious injury is evident. It is hard not to think of those words even 30 years later when you contemplate skipping the gym because you've been moving around like your Grandfather - grunts and all.

I actually feel much better now as my sore muscles and kinks worked themselves into operable order.

Skipping breakfast, which I normally never do, I grabbed an apple before heading to the gym.

My trainer said we were going to "show off" today, which meant gliding (and in my case plodding) around the main floor of the gym, weaving around people on treadmills and exercise bikes, throwing lefts, and rights, right crosses, and upper cuts with both hands. And today he introduced ducking as he threw his right cross at my head. Again, because these are movements I have never done in all my years playing sports it takes some practice to stop looking like Bambi on a frozen pond...in front scores of people no less.

My wrists began to feel like they were made of Tinker Toys, and my heavy breathing and grunting had to sound like a Clydesdale in a Bud commercial.

Although I try not to weigh myself too much, I am a little obsessed about weighing an oz. below 250 lbs by Thursday. I am flying to L.A. for the big Health Expo in Anaheim this weekend where I will be seeing the crew, including Heather, from VBites. Even though my progress is very good, I just want the psychological gratification of walking the show room 50 lbs lighter. And when I finally move the main bottom weight on the scale from the 250 lb notch, to 200 lb notch it will be a great victory for me. I really hope to weigh in at 249 lbs by the weekend! Today I was 256 lbs.

The salad bar at the cafe at work is perfect - plenty of different lettuce, and legumes. I loaded up on iceberg, mesclun, and spinach salad with shredded carrots, cucumbers, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, olives, humus, and sunflower seeds. And no dressing at all - none needed, it is great without it. In fact, now, when I have a salad at a restaurant it seems drowned in oil.

Yesterday, I met my Aunt and Uncle at the MET and then went over to one of the best burger places in New York City - J.G. Melons. It is a great old bar and restaurant and I have never been there in all my years without a beer, burger, and bowl of chili. The salad was just fine, but was doused in oil. And, truth be told, as my Aunt and Uncle enjoyed their burgers I was envious. Funny. How can I dislike the oil on my salad, but salivate over a greasy cheeseburger?

Tonight I did not feel too hungry so I made a smoothie - soy milk, frozen cherries, banana, and frozen raspberries. It was fantastic, and I thought, this amazing treat is what I will give my kids. No sugar, no preservatives, just a good healthy snack that rivals anything you can order at Jamba Juice.

In a sick way, even though my wrists feel like they are about to snap merely tapping this keyboard, I want to box again tomorrow - I am exhausted, but I feel lots of adrenaline, and I really want to start hitting those mitts like a pro! I've now done it four times, and I went from fearing the exaustion to fearing doing it poorly.

The last thing I wanted to do today was go to the gym, but I didn't think about it. As I walked out of the locker room I was not looking forward to my vigorous work out, but I realized that I never sat at my desk and fretted, and tried to make excuses for myself, I just went without thinking, like walking across the street to Walgreens to pick up a package of licorice. The famous sports slogan, "Just Do It" is actually apropos. Don't think, just go do what you have to do. Think about it later, when you are tired, but thrilled that it made the day an important one - fatigue and sore muscles means that much less fat on your bones. I realized today that motivation does not have to mean you are happily looking forward to exercise, it only means that you ignore the one million dreamt up reasons why you shouldn't.

Saturday Night...Much More Low-Key Than Before

Still walking gingerly from my intense leg work out from Thursday I picked up my old girlfriend and we went down to SOHO to Souen on 6th Avenue and Prince St.

Souen is a Japanese Macrobiotic restaurant in which they,...prepare our food simply and naturally, offering you the best quality grains, beans, and produce. No refined, chemicals, preservatives, meat or dairy products are used in our kitchen.

Souen says of Macrobiotics: It is thought that by eating balanced foods such as grains and vegetables that are more local and in season, we can maintain good physical and spiritual health and live in harmony with nature.

Now, although the science is behind eating grains and vegetables, I'm not so sure about this "living in harmony" with nature thing.

But the food was mostly great!

For appetizers we had:

Steamed Dumplings - six wheat dumplings filled with seitan, nappa, ginger and scallions. Delicious.

Brussel sprouts - with walnuts and peanut sauce. Again, very, very good, but grilling them on the BBQ like what I had this past Thanksgiving is healthier and taste fresher.

Edamame - was overcooked.

My girlfriend had the Pad Thai - sauteed noodles with onion, carrot, mung bean, scallion, shiitake, broccoli and baked tofu in all natural house-made peanut sauce with lime. It was so good. Awesome.

I had Macro Plate - a balance of steamed greens, vegetables, brown rice, beans and hijiki seaweed. It was healthy, of course, but it was boring. I am not a huge fan of the seaweed, or the the kale.

Afterwards we went to the legendary Waverly Theatre in Greenwich Village, now called the IFC Theatre. We saw the amazing animation film, and Oscar contender, "The Secret of Kells." It is not often people applaud after a film. It was an enchanting movie, really well done, and a breath of fresh air from typical Hollywood animation - I guess because because it is from Ireland.

We ended the night at your typical Village coffee shop with people reading books. There were a slew of sweets for sale and when my friend asked me if I wanted something I said, "What the hell, if they have something vegan." When we went to Red Bamboo last week she had a full vegan chocolate brownie that was stunning. I am not a big dessert eater (even though I have bouts with a sweet tooth), so I was not bothered in the least that there was nothing to offer. However, I started thinking, how can a Village coffee shop not have a vegan sweets alternative?

Paying for Thursday

Yesterday I had my training session. I stretched out my back as much as possible. My trainer decided we would do legs for :30 minutes and then boxing for :30 minutes.

The thought of throwing punches for only half an hour as opposed to a full one sounded appealing.

I can barely walk today! We did some intensive leg work outs. First squats on a machine with weight added. I was concerned about my knee which was operated on 4 times in life, so we didn't do anything where the knee was in severe pain. We also did a lot of different types of leg-lifts which are much harder than they look. It's funny, with all this expensive equipment in the gym, trainers are constantly having their clients do exercises that can be done in the home! When my legs felt like rubber it was time to hit the mitts.

Throwing punches privately in a studio is one thing, but yesterday we did it upstairs in front of everyone working out. Talk about pressure! With some incredibly fit guys pumping iron just feet away I was gliding up and down the floor punching away 1,2,1,2,1,2. My only desire was for these steroid looking dudes not to laugh at me. It's a tight space, and I can see them watching me. If you are off target then when your glove hits the mitt it sounds like a kitten falling off a pillow. But when you hit it hard and square it makes a loud whack that amplifies your actual punching strength. This was motivation enough to hit as hard as I could even though I felt my lungs trying to break out of their ribcage!

Today, I as I ironed my lovely, and large, Henry Poole & Co. shirt I munched on a carrot and a few prunes. I could barely walk, stand, move, or even iron, and my hands feel like Brother Hinger was whacking them for an hour with a yard stick during Science class. Everything I did hurt. I was so sore and slow that I felt like I was moving under water the whole morning.

I like this feeling. It means I am getting healthier, stronger, and slimmer.

A Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Over a year ago I visited my girlfriend in London for a week. My plan for the week? Rugby, and pub crawls. Her plan? Not that. Needless to say we are now just friends. It was actually over Thanksgiving weekend, and the prospect of spending this wholly unique American holiday under the Queen was interesting. I made it clear to my girlfriend that under no circumstances will I be deprived of a full Thanksgiving meal! The Union Jack could fly over my head, no problem, but, for me it is all about the meal! My girlfriend suggested going to Heather Mills home out in the country side. Perfect! A country estate in England where I can celebrate Thanksgiving with all the trimmings! I volunteered to cook, and as I was listing all the things we would need for this Thanksgiving feast my girlfriend said, "There is one thing though." Now, when the British say, "There is one thing," in their understated manner, rest assured the "one thing" is going to be a HUGE thing!

"Heather's vegan."

Well, that was that, we will not be going to Heather's! No discussing alternatives to my meal, no exceptions! As quickly as the word "vegan" left her lips I nixed the idea completely and with no reservation. There will be no English country side feast for me. Besides, how do vegans even "feast?"

Although I looked online for American style Thanksgiving feasts in the middle of London, the few bars offering such events did not seem too appealing. And, in the end, I spent my Thanksgiving without turkey, without stuffing, without vegetables, without pumpkin pie, and without football. Just countless pints of ale at The Red Lion with a few pals where we nourished ourselves with swiped finger sandwiches from an adjoining office party.

Obviously, after my great vegan experience this past Thanksgiving, I wish I had chosen a vegan Thanksgiving feast in the English country side. But back then, it would still be another year before my enlightenment.

So, back to London. While I was on one of my self-guided pub crawls back then, my girlfriend became understandably bored and left to do, I don't know, whatever normal people do. Left to my own devices I wandered the streets of London like a happy Ray Milland in "The Lost Weekend." I stumbled upon Savile Row. I've heard of it, it's where all the custom tailored shops are. First things first, it is pronounced "sav (like savvy)- ill," not with the accent on the second syllable like the "Barber of Seville."

Properly de-Yankeefied in how to pronounce the name of the street, I confidently walked into one of the bespoke shops on Savile Row. After all, I was loaded down with Courage...lots of it. I strode into the polished Henry Poole & Co., planted my feet on the ground, and fists on my hips like Yul Brenner in the "King & I," and bellowed to these bespectacled Red Coats, "I would like a custom built shirt!" They all looked at each other and silently drew straws to see who was going to have to measure the crass Colonist. The friendly young apprentice was assigned the job. After a while it became a fun affair where the austere old tailor ended up showing the apprentice how to measure such a large man. There were lots of laughs all around, and they even showed me one of the ledgers of their customers and their measurements. This particular leather-bound book was from 1916 and included the name and measurements, written in perfect Edwardian penmanship, of one Winston Churchill.

So after all that money on a gorgeous shirt - light blue with darker blue pinstripes, and a white collar, I sit here today with a bespoke shirt from the famous Henry Poole & Co. and it is quite roomy! You think I could get it tailored again, free of charge? Who knew back then that I was going to change my lifestyle so drastically that I would loose a significant amount of weight?

Well, the shirt still looks great, but clearly it was made for a fat, drunk Colonist. A person I shall never meet again.

Hank

20 years ago today I walked into my off-campus apartment and asked my roommate, "Did we win?" Ten seconds later I was shocked into the realization that life, even a young, strong life, can end in an instant.

My Alma Mater, Loyola Marymount University, is a small Catholic university in Los Angeles which, in addition to having a championship rugby team in '89-'90, thank you very much, also had a stellar, record-breaking basketball team. Loyola was playing the University of Portland in the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament. The winner of the tournament would go to the elite NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament.

Loyola was the highest scoring team in the nation, and 20 years later they still hold that record! The nation's top scorer and rebounder was Loyola's own, Hank Gathers. A giant athlete (for his day), Gathers earlier that season out-rebounded and out-scored a collegiate Shaquille O'Neill when we played LSU.

Hank was a funny guy, and always friendly in the locker room. And the NBA scouts were salivating. Because Loyola's basketball strategy was based on a high paced, quick scoring fury, the team was always out running around the rugby field as we practiced - they were as conditioned as we were. Even though Loyola was an exceptional basketball program, holding many NCAA scoring records to this day, it was still a small school, and we were friends with the guys on the team - they'd be at our parties, and they'd be in our classrooms - nothing like the athletes of big time NCAA sports today.

That night I was home celebrating my brother's birthday which was the day before, then drove the hour to Loyola. It was probably 8 PM, and since the game started at 5 PM, it was long over. I had my radio stolen a few months earlier, which was par for the course when you drove a red Jetta, so I was unable to listen to the radio on the way back to campus.

"Did we win?" My roommate looked weird. He stammered, rather solemnly, "They never continued the game when Hank went down." "What?" I said incredulously, "He went down again?" Our star player, Hank Gathers, had fainted at the free throw line a few months earlier. He was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat and put on medication. Hank missed a few games, including a nationally televised game against the other top scoring team in the nation, Oklahoma. I know that the players said Hank complained about the medication, that it made him sluggish. For some reason I think I remember, but I could be wrong, that he either fainted, or felt dizzy and had to sit out practice once or twice as well, but it's been 20 years, I could be wrong. Either way, I knew he had a chronic problem.

But, still, I was surprised that Hank fainted again...in a big game no less, with Loyola vying for the NCAA Tournament bid! With Hank at full strength I imagined we could actually win the first game of the tournament and advance to the next round before surely getting beat by one of the better teams in the nation. But, it will be exciting to see my college in the NCAA's! So, what a bummer that Hank fainted again! Maybe they should change is medicine?

"He went down again?" I shook my head and rolled my eyes. My roommate was motionless, and his jaw began to slowly drop, "You didn't hear?" "What?"

"Hank died."

"WHAT?" I ran to the TV, and on every channel, there it was - video of Hank dunking the ball - seen that a few million times - the fans go crazy - seen that a million times - then a stumble, and a fall, and the next shot is of Hank being carried out of the Pavilion on a stretcher by teammates. They used a defibrillator, but minutes later, at the hospital, this giant Greek god of a specimen was dead.

The next day the campus was silent. I mean SILENT. The next time I felt such an eerie sensation of a large number of people going about their day silently was on September 12, 2001.

He died of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where the muscle of the heart thickens without obvious cause. Even though they never finished the game, the NCAA decided to give Loyola an automatic bid into the tournament. The team took some time before they decided to accept it...they will play for Hank.

Loyola has entered March Madness, and will play without one of the best players in the nation. First opponent? New Mexico. Result? WIN! It was during this game that childhood friend and teammate, and the other star of the team, Bo Kimble, shot his first free throw left handed. The chills were paralyzing! You see, Hank was great, he can rebound, he can shoot, he was a team player, he was funny, he was an all around great guy, but he could not shoot a free throw worth a damn. The coaches tried a new tactic. Hank would shoot free throws with his left hand. I often walked through the gym out to the rugby field and would watch Hank practicing his free throws left handed. To me it looked ridiculous, but it worked, he was a better free throw shooter with his left hand, barely. So, Bo, in honor of Hank, vowed to shoot his first free throw with his left hand every game. Loyola was the little team that could. With the tragic death of Hank, the left hand free throws of Bo, and a university with a student body of no more than 4,500, the nation was pulling for us!

Next up? The defending champions, mighty Michigan! Surely, little LMU's Cinderella story will come to an end. Result? WIN! Not only a huge upset of the defending champions Michigan, but by a score of 149-115, which still stands as a tournament record for the most points scored. Loyola was now in the Sweet Sixteen! The Sweet Sixteen, year after year, is where the big boys play - perennial powerhouses like Duke, Connecticut and Kansas belong there, not little Loyola! But there we were, and all for Hank! Result? Loyola 62 - Alabama 60! The spirit of Hank lives on, and the world was behind us! Then, in the Great Eight, LMU lost to UNLV which would go on to be crowned champions that year.

Days later Loyola Rugby traveled to Boston for a few games against Boston College, and Boston University. With no time to sew on patches or anything like that we decided to honor Hank on our uniforms by wrapping black electrical tape around our jersey sleeves and with White-Out wrote "44," Hank's number.

Everywhere we went people knew the story of Loyola Marymount Basketball, the left hand shooting Bo, and the spirit of Hank. Everyone said they were pulling for us, it was magical. But one memory sticks out more than any other. During a vicious game against BC where fists were flying a little more than usual for a rugby match, there was a pause. The referee was speaking to the two captains about the particular barbaric road the game was heading down, and he wanted it stopped. With the welcomed break (to catch our breath) so the ref could scold each side, both packs of forwards heaved and sweated and we eyed each other with contempt. We wanted to rip their heads off! They were losing and resorted to playing dirty, cheap! I looked at them and I just wanted knock a few of them out. One of the BC players broke the tension and said, "Hey, we are sorry about what happened to Hank." Wow! Humanity was back into this match, and even though we beat the hell out of each other (we won handily by the way) for the rest of the game, there was an air of civility. One man, the same age as all of us on the field, but bigger and stronger, died in the prime of his life.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts on those memories from the Spring of 1990. Even though heart disease is the leading killer in America, Hank's was a muscle defect that had nothing to do with how he lived. A majority of heart disease is preventable.

R.I.P Number 44.

No Excuses

Excuses today for not going to the gym:

* Did not have alot of time today
* My back is still sore
* I feel a cold coming on

Excuses for not working out hard today:

* The front desk screwed up the cost of my training sessions
* The locker room is still filthy
* When I weighed myself I was 261 (was 258 earlier)
* The guy next to me had his stuff spread out all in front of the locker I chose. And he smelled like dirty socks and onions even though he was changing into his workout clothes.
* I was thinking about work
* I was thinking about other things

Well, I went to the gym, and I worked out quite hard today. Felt good not letting the little excuses prevent me from exercising vigorously!

Today, that was a victory. Any one of the aforementioned excuses would have prevented me from working out with a purpose in the old days. I'm glad I put in a solid hour at the gym!

For lunch I had one of Moaz's pita with hummus, eggplant, falafal, pickles, chickpeas, and salsa. It really is delicious. They gave me a bag of fries by mistake. I didn't have even one, just gave it to my assistant.

For dinner I munched on broccoli, zucchini, squash, and carrots with hummus dip and hot sauce.

I watched the classic film, "The Hustler." In a poignant scene between Paul Newman and George C. Scott, Scott says to Newman's hapless Fast Eddie Felten:

"No trouble losing when you got a good excuse... All you gotta do is learn to feel sorry for yourself. One of the best indoor sports of all time, feeling sorry for yourself. A sport enjoyed by all."

This evening a dear friend sent me a picture she took of me in picturesque Marblehead, MA. last Autumn. The first thing I thought of was a picture of my mother from 1968 when she was 8 months pregnant with me turning sideways to show off how distended she was. When I first saw that picture five or six months ago I thought, "Shoot, I got to start running again." That was quickly dismissed into the dustbin of memory, as one excuse or another took its place front and center. Something I have been doing for years. When I look at the photo of me now I am simply repulsed. It is OK to be repulsed by how you look, just eviscerate any self-loathing, and take a step, just a step, to do something about it.

I've got 30+ lbs to loose in the next 58 days. Although I am 100% committed to losing that much, the only guarantee is that I will not have any excuses.

Comments from a Guest - A Friend, and Dietitian

Through the wonders of facebook, I learned that a friend, Trina, whom I had gone to High School, and University with is now a dietitian who once worked for the Dairy Council! A perfect person to solicit advice from before my vegan quest. I really valued her expert advice since she was able to give me all the pros and cons in an honest, and unbiased way. Currently, she is a project manager in the evaluation and development of community nutrition education programs.

Here are some of her comments, from my resident dietitian, on topics I raised:

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

There is a lot of great research on omega three fatty acids. I heard a speaker that referenced an paper that "calculated that known cardiovascular
benefits of eating farmed salmon outweigh the theoretical risks for cancer (from PCBs) by a ratio of 400:1". *JAMA 2006;296. Yes, there are risks but sometimes the benefits outweigh them. Also, there is nothing like the taste of good food!

MY INCREASING EXERCISE INTENSITY, AND CUTTING BACK ON BREAD AND RICE

Terry, is this something you can sustain long term? Losing 41 lbs is fantastic but remember that you need to enjoy eating. Could you compromise by measuring your portions based on the calorie level you are trying to achieve? With all the physical activity you are getting make sure to get in enough protein to rebuild your muscle mass.

MY DESIRE TO BE EVEN MORE STRICT FOLLOWING DR. FUHRMAN'S PLAYBOOK -
NUTRIENT DENSITY

I really like your focus on nutrient-dense food. There is a nutrient density coalition promoting this.

SATURATED FATS

You wrote a nice piece on saturated fats saying they "are the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease." There is new research showing that not all saturated fats raise the risk of heart disease. Some say that white hat syndrome prevents this viewpoint from getting its fair treatment in peer reviewed journals and by the researchers themselves. Also not all trans fats have a negative impact on health.

Words of Wisdom

This morning I had two bowls of Total cereal with soy milk, and because of an early meeting had to jump in a cab today. As I waited on the Southeast corner of 55th and Lexington, I saw an open cab. I eye-balled him since he dropped someone off at Bloomingdale's 5 blocks up (yeah, I can see that far). The cab was at a red light, and when he put his blinker on to pull over I knew he saw me. But, even though this was "my" cab, and he was preparing to pick me up, I thought it was not the best idea, especially in this weather, to wait.

He was on the other side of the intersection at a red light. I dutifully waited with my arm outstretched. But as I merely waited for him to come to me, nothing, nothing prevented someone on the North side of the street from jumping in "my" cab. The cabbie wouldn't care, a fare is a fare. I would yell and scream and make obscene gestures and I would stew about it all morning. So, I dodged traffic against the red light to rightfully claim my cab.

So, here are my words of wisdom: Just because something is coming your way, and is rightfully yours, don't just wait for it, GO GET IT! Or, else, you might lose out.

Biggest Loser

Stomach pains are long gone, but my strained muscle in my lower back still bothers me.

Breakfast was fruit and oatmeal. Lunch, I met my old boss down at The Coffee Shop for my favorite vegan wrap. However, I was more conscious of the salad dressing - not sure if there was just too much today, or that I am becoming so adverse to anything but the tiniest amount of dressing, if at all.

I went to the gym after work, but only did 25 minutes of cardio and some curls and arm presses.

For dinner I had a small whole wheat tortilla with homemade guacamole (just avocado, lime juice, and tomatoes)and black beans. Also had broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and squash and hummus.

Tonight I watched The Biggest Loser for maybe the 3rd time since it went on the air years ago. Although I think the effort to move the story along and create fictional drama through "immunity challenges" and "alliances" are absurd, there is real drama in what these people are feeling as they inch back to a normal and healthy life. I think that one guy lost 100 lbs in 7 weeks which is incredible, but he started off at 500 lbs.

If the show motivates more people to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle than that is awesome. But, if people just look at these morbidly obese people, feel sorry for them, and do nothing about it since they are a mere 20 lbs overweight than the show serves only as a carnival sideshow.

I can't help but feel for those people who are so obese, but I really don't feel sorry for them since they are doing great things to lose the weight, and extend their life.

Today I asked friends to forward any pictures of me from last Summer at the beach house. In a word, it was revolting. How the hell did I get that big? Scratch that, I know how I got that big, the real question is why. I'm still figuring that out. I will post these embarrassing photos when I can take some "after" pics...maybe when I am out in LA next week.

4 Down, 2 To Go

So, I have been on this vegan quest for 4 months out of my 6 month quest. I will reflect on that at another time. I am very glad to have been at it this far so faithfully, and so successfully.

I was rather hungry this morning and mad that even though I got up early I never got out of my apartment to the gym before work. Fine, I'll go at lunch. Actually, the morning flew by and I realized I only had 1 hour to go to the gym, work-out, shower and get back before a meeting. I decided not to rush, I would go after work. But, I left work later than expected, and went to a colleague's going-away party. I planned to go after that, but it never happened.

Above is a diagram of failing to make exercise my priority. I had excuses, good ones, but in the end, going to the gym is something I do on average 2-3 times a week, though a few weeks I went every day. It is not consistent, it is not a priority. I really am better off if I go first thing in the morning because of my schedule, but, I really dislike getting up early and going to the gym - especially when I can't help but go to bed late.

Since I was hungry, I had a large plate of fruit, and then oatmeal. I had three cups of decaf coffee - too much!

Lunch was a large salad with iceberg, mesclun, and spinach lettuce. Cucumbers, carrot shavings, kidney beans, chickpeas, olives, tomatoes, broccoli, and no salad dressing. Instead I put hummus on top. It feels great eating to the point of fullness, and knowing how great the food is for you.

After the going away party I walked home, passing Grand Central Terminal. It was 8:30 and I was hungry. Never food shop when you are hungry. However, I viewed this as a challenge. Inside Grand Central is a great marketplace with multiple stands with different companies that sell fresh fish, and meat, and vegetables, and cheeses, and breads, and fruit, and desserts. It really is a great place to walk through.

So, my challenge. I was hungry. Typically, I crave everything I see when I am hungry. First stall, the fresh fish. It looked good, but no mouth-watering desire for scallops, or salmon, or shrimp. It would have been great to dig into a nice fresh dish, but I was not wagging my tongue. Next, red meat - no interest. Really, none at all. Some of the sausages looked interesting, but, zero desire to break my diet. Then there was the breads - never been a lover of breads...except Turkish bread dipped in hummus. Then cheese. Here, my iron-clad resistance to temptation started to melt. It just looked and smelled so good. I fantasized about a plate of water crackers and multiple French, Dutch and Belgian cheeses with some spicy mustard and a giant bottle of Chimay Trappist Ale. I still have that desire 3 hours later! But it was not debilitating!

I picked up a package of pineapple, and strawberries. For dinner I reheated my lentil puree soup, and had the fruit afterwards.

I go to bed satisfied. I go to bed knowing that I did not put one unhealthy thing in my body. I go to bed knowing that the food I ate was almost exclusively from plants, that it kept me full between meals, and it tasted great.

I go to bed without sacrifice or martyrdom. I ate well today, I ate plenty, and I took another step towards continued weight loss.

Assessing all things that I feel guilty about - missing the gym, not gathering my info for taxes, and not cleaning my apartment - I am choosing to focus on the thing that I feel great about today: another day of eating healthfully.

A Short Term System that does not appear Nutrient

First off, the USA vs Canada Gold Medal game was one of the most exciting games I have ever seen in hockey - I would say number 2 or 3 behind the 1980 "Miracle on Ice."

I have also never been so gratified in watching such an exhilarating and well played sporting even even though my team lost. For the U.S. to be the underdog for the whole tournament, and to play in the Gold Medal game, and against Canada, AND, AND, to score the tying goal with 24.6 seconds to go in the game? That was amazing! Hats off to Canada for an incredible game, and win. Congrats to all my "Canuck" friends (sorry, Senator Muskie...and stop crying).

I enjoy reading the NY Post's Phil Mushnick's sports columns because he normally skewers poor sportsmanship, and the TV networks who put profit over watchability by starting important games after 9 PM EST. But, today, he had a very interesting comment about ESPN Sportscaster Chris Berman in his column:

Saturday, one of those Nutrisystem ads starring Chris Berman -- one in which he hollers that he dropped 50 pounds -- appeared. A week earlier, seen live playing golf on TV, Berman appeared heavier than ever, enormous. His weight is his business -- until his business includes paid, televised come-ons for weight-loss products.

I have seen ads for Nutrisystem, featuring Berman and Dan Marino and others, during sporting events on TV, and heard it for years on radio. Clearly, it works, clearly only for the short term. So, just like all the other fad diets, it is clear that if you want to drop 25 lbs before your wedding, or Memorial Day weekend, or your 20th High School Reunion, then gain it all back and more so, go for it. If you want to drop your weight for longer than a couple of months - actually for life, and improve your health? Forget about it! I just talked to my younger brother who went on it years ago. He was an athlete (much better than me) who let the best of over-indulgence get to him. I remember he went on it, and lost some weight. I distinctly remember him telling me about it - perhaps it was 10 years ago. I called him for first-person insight..."Ahhh, did I? I don't think soooo, maybe, did I? Don't remember. Oh, wait, yes, I do have some boxes of that food in my garage."

Enough said.

Since my Vegan Quest he has lost 15 lbs because he is deathly afraid of me passing him in the total weight category (I've already passed his heaviest weight)- and he is 2 inches shorter...and more gray. My older brother has dropped 20 lbs, but he has 3 little girls for cardio!

Regarding Nutrisystem, they base the entire diet on something called the Glycemic Index.

A very interesting fitness website called Peer Trainer tackled this question recently, and interviewed Dr. Fuhrman. You can read the whole story here: http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2009/01/the-limitations-of-the-glycemic-index.html

Dr. Fuhrman's excerpts:

In diabetes research the glycemic index (GI) of carbohydrates has long been recognized as a favorable aid for diabetics to control blood sugar. The same is now often the case in lipid research as it has been demonstrated that high glycemic diets, rich in white flour, refined sweets and processed foods are unfavorable to both glucose levels and lipid parameters.

Authors and writers who advocate a high protein (meat-based) diet, hang their hat on the low glycemic index of animal products to explain the advantages of a diet rich in animal products and lower in vegetation. This view oversimplifies the multi-factorial nuances of nutrition and results in a distorted understanding of nutritional science.

Ranking food on glycemic index alone ignores many other factors that may make that food favorable or unfavorable. Because a carrot has a higher glycemic index than a slice of bacon does not make the bacon a better food for a diabetic or heart patient. There are other more important nutritional considerations besides the glycemic index, including the toxicity, micronutient density and fiber in the food.

A good example of such nutritional nonsense is when Barry Sears of the Zone diet, warns against the consumption of lima beans, papayas and carrots because of their glycemic index and Atkin’s excludes or limits those carbohydrate containing fruits and vegetables with proven powerful anti-cancer benefits.

When a diet is rich in high nutrient containing, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits the disease-protective qualities of these foods and the weight-loss benefits overwhelm any insignificant drawback from the high glycemic index of the carrot.

Weekend Vegan Warrior

Saturday morning my friend, who crashed at my apartment, and I ate at the diner around the corner. I had a bowl of oatmeal, and as he nursed his hangover with sausages and eggs I did not envy him or his breakfast one bit.

After some snow ball tossing, we met up with a nice Irish lass who has not seen me since my endeavor and it is always good to hear the compliments and surprise. It's more shock in my discipline than in the weight I lost. We traveled to the bar Brass Monkey in the Meat Packing District and climbed over snow drifts inside to watch the big 6 Nations rugby tournament between England and Ireland. Actually, my virgin Bloody Mary suited me just fine as we watched the first half of this spirited match. At the half we added my buddy's girlfriend to the caravan and went across town to a great bar, Arctica, to meet my Irish and Kiwi friends. The game was spectacular with Ireland edging out the win in the closing minutes. The beers were flowing and I quickly surveyed those with a healthy, smiling buzz, and those who were legless, locked, and langers. Damn, I thought, that used to be me. Not moderate drinking for fun like most of the bar, but the ones who live by the mantra 1 is too many and 10 is not enough. What a shame I wasted so many years turning the knob on the fun amplifier to "11." But, the real kicker? I had a great time! Take that, sour-puss, failed Friday Night fun seeker!

Lunch was at P.J. Clarke's where I had the delicious Third Avenue Vegetable salad.

Saturday night a girlfriend and I went to the oft-suggested, Red Bamboo in Greenwich Village. Red Bamboo is a tiny restaurant with no reservations taken. We got there around 7:30 and the wait was only :30 minutes. They took my cell number and we walked across to the Irish Pub, Four Faced Liar. Since we dated very seriously 5 years ago, and she was the only girlfriend I was motivated enough to walk down 47th Street (i.e. the Diamond District) for, she has a very unique perspective on this new lifestyle change. In the end, she loves this endeavor of mine, and just like all the others asked the question, "Why did you wait until now?" To that I can only say, "It was time." I could not do it for anyone except for me. But even though it is an enormous step, it is still just a step, as Friday night reminded me. Changing my lifestyle must be complete to ensure that I keep it up for the rest of my life.

Red Bamboo was excellent!

Yes, there were the requisite "vegan looking" patrons - malnourished, tattooed, pierced, and with hair that looked like they combed it with an eggbeater, complete with Buddy Holly style glasses. But there were plenty of people who looked just like us, and families, too!

Another great thing about vegan restaurants? The price. For the cost of a burger and fries in Midtown, you can get a gourmet meal, a healthy gourmet meal.

My appetizer was the: Dragonfly Dumplings - Rice flour dumplings filled with shredded soy protein, veggie shrimp, carrots and cabbage lightly fried and served over a mixed greens salad with soy-ginger dressing…$5.95. It was light and tasty, and I really enjoyed it. My entree was the: Grilled Bourbon Chicken - Jerk marinated soy chicken grilled to perfection served over mixed greens with a side of sesame basmati rice and steamed vegetables…$11.95. This was an awesome meal and I defy any meat eater to say that this is not real chicken.

Now, here I am back into the debate between simply "going vegan," and my playbook of nutrient-dense eating for life. There had to be some molasses and other ingredients on the soy chicken that Dr. Fuhrman would not whole-heartily endorse.

In the end, the meal was a far superior health alternative to any dish I would have had at any one of the new BBQ places that are popping up around the city faster than Benetton's in the 1980's.

For breakfast on Sunday I traveled to Lansky's Jewish Deli/Diner on the Upper West Side. As it was brunch there were a few giant pastrami sandwiches and all sorts of omelet dishes. No matter, it was just nice to be out and about with "normal" New Yorkers (hint: there is no such thing anymore). I happily had a bowl of oatmeal with bananas, and an English muffin with peanut butter, and with the Sunday Post and Times I was as happy as could be.

One article in the Times caught my eye. In an article about food stamps it mentioned that the top two items purchased in New York's poorest areas with these stamps were red meat and milk. Interesting.

Foolishly Chasing Fun in the Snow

Friday morning I ate a huge breakfast of a plate of fruit, and then a bowl of oatmeal, so I was not hungry until around 2, 2:30. I ordered from Takism a "Sheppard's Salad" which is diced tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers and asked for them to go very light on the oil. Also has their awesome lentil puree soup, and a falafal wrap. Smartly, and in keeping with my Lenten promise I did not order the bread with hummus.

But today, with the snow coming down in buckets, I immediately thought of 10 bars I would rather be in enjoying the snow with glasses of whiskey, a plate of fries, and fellow fun seekers. Tradition dictates that is what one does when the city is socked with snow.

Friday night a buddy came into town and we went out. In the old days the pursuit of fun usually meant bar hopping and skipping dinner until around midnight when I would crave a couple of slices of pizza. This past Friday I stupidly forwent dinner as we bar hopped around Manhattan. As the night kicked into high gear around 11 PM I was hungry and began to envy and get annoyed with those around me as intoxication lubed everyone around me into joyful celebration. That night I thought to myself, "sobriety sucks." Clearly, I put myself in this position. I did not march to my own drummer, instead I lived a life of desperately fun-chasing grumpy sober guy.

So, great, I resisted temptation for the 400th time, but I was not in a position to enjoy myself.

The night ended, like they all do, at my local, P.J. Clarke's. Seeing bar friends at 1 AM with silly grins and cackles I realized that living the current life without drinking was not fun. I should have done things I enjoyed and been fast asleep at that hour instead of trying to relive the good old days, days replete with horrible eating habits, drunkenness and all around unhealthy living. Although some people complemented me on how I look I had to ask myself, "Why am I here?"

Although those old days contributed to my life-threatening health, they were fun. I have to find new fun.

Call of the Wild

Was pounded by snow - 20.9" - so I am trying to summon the ghost of Jack London to adequately write my blog.

I will have to wait til tomorrow to write about my last 2 days as I went out last night before I grabbed dinner, and I have been out all day today.

Tomorrow I update, and write about some interesting observations, and struggles this weekend.

2 Pounds Lighter, but 2 Big Steps Back Today

"Ignosce mihi, Pater, quia peccavi."

Between my grilled asparagus and steamed broccoli for lunch and my rigorous work out at the gym after work I had this unnatural desire, and stupidly acted upon it to shove handfuls of toffee covered peanuts in my mouth. Why? Why? Why? My body is craving sugar, and I have been good with satiating it with fruit, but I fell back today, shamefully.

Lunch was with clients down in TriBeCa at Market Table. A quaint place and the food looked great. I say looked because there was not much I could do with the menu except get sides. So, I had the small salad with blood oranges and sides of grilled asparagus and broccoli. Both quite good.

Not an hour later I was craving something sweet, and because there is not a fruit stand at the ready in the middle of a snow/rain storm in Times Square I chose the weak path and grabbed a tin of toffee covered peanuts. Of course they advertise 0% Trans Fats, but it is sugar coated peanuts. What was I thinking? I threw away the half eaten (2/3 actually) tin in an effort to stop myself.

The gym work out was intense and I was happy that I was down 43 lbs on the scale, but in the end, it was a poor day.

Day 116

Today I decided to try the "banana oatmeal" at the cafe and after one scoop I could see that in addition to the bananas mixed with oatmeal there was brown sugar. I filled the rest of the cup up with regular oatmeal. As I would taste the brown sugar every four spoonfuls or so I would feel decadent. Imagine, feeling decadent because 10% of my cup of oatmeal had been sprinkled with brown sugar. This is what is working so well on this vegan quest for me - appreciation of good food, and an appreciation of guilty pleasures when they are seemingly minute. For example my views of decadence then and now:

BREAKFAST DECADENCE

Pre-November 1st - a plate-eclipsing cheesy egg omelet, bacon, sausages, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and a tall glass of whole milk...and afterwards a very strong, spicy, gin Bloody Mary while leafing through the Sunday New York Times, and swapping stories of the previous night's after-reception follies, sitting on a columned porch in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts with hungover members of the wedding party...ahhh, sister-in-law of the maid-of-honor's cousin, whatever your name was, if you're reading this, call me! OK, got carried away there, was thinking of a specific wedding I went to 16 years ago. Back to the food!

Post-November 1st - a quarter teaspoon of brown sugar in my oatmeal. Yes, you may laugh, but it is true! When you eat healthfully as a rule - as a habit, then food stuffs that are bad for you taste amazing in such non-harmful quantities! After tasting the small quantity of brown sugar in my oatmeal, I had no desire to run out to Krispy Kreme for glazed donut...something I would have done just a few months ago. After months of oatmeal and raisins only, I really enjoyed a little brown sugar, but no desire to start adding it to my daily breakfast at all. It was just a nice little reprieve, that's it.

Lunch was a great. Went to Sarafina's with colleagues and a client. Don't let the fact that it's a chain fool you, they really do a great job there. I had the cauliflower soup - no cream used - and it was quite tasty. And as I had last week I enjoyed the vegetable platter - spaghetti squash with mixed vegetables, pine nuts, and tomato sauce. Really refreshing and really good. As with all business luncheons of mine, the topic of conversation eventually got around to my diet, my lifestyle change. My client has known me for 10 years and she is now the second person to remark on my skin looking better, or healthier. I never thought I had bad skin at all, and none of my old photos seem to indicate that, but I guess when you purge your body of unhealthy food and drink, and commit to a nutrient-dense diet your face looks more alive. Of course she reminded me of how she's always known me to live - full speed with no stop lights. I do get terrific satisfaction and happiness with encouragement from others who are genuinely pleased with this new lifestyle change. But I have to admit, I do get a little embarrassed when I am reminded how excessively I used to live my life.

Today I started getting those stomach aches again. I really wish I knew what it was. It's severe for an hour or so, and then it subsides.

For dinner I picked up the Vegetarian Powerhouse Salad at Chop't but only ate half of it. Not hungry because of the sore stomach.

Need sleep I guess so going to bed early, well, it was early until I started writing this!

I must report, the pressure is really on now to stay faithful to this blog. Yesterday, after my story went up on Dr. Fuhrman's website I had over 1,000 new people view this blog! It's staggering to think that so many people are reading this and probably pointing out grammatical errors, or even worse, finding errors in my comments about nutrition. To those of you in the later category, I say to you tonight, be patient, I am still learning. My formal education on nutrition started and stopped around the time I was 10 years old. It was summed up thusly -- eat the four food groups: (1. meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts. 2. dairy, milk and cheese. 3. grains. 4. fruits and vegetables - all with equal importance applied to each food group). That has been proven to be not the best idea for a healthy diet today!

SALT III

Salt.

No, not the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, but sodium chloride.

Cultivated for thousands of years it has a an extensive history from trading with China, to Egyptian funerals, to the bible. It was needed to preserve meat back in the day, but obviously, no longer.

I have had the same 1 lb canister of Morton's Salt for the past 12 years - my roommate back in '98 loved salt. Obviously, I don't salt much.

However, I taste it more and more in food that I eat. Tonight I had Wolfgang Pucks lentil soup in a can -- good, but too salty. I bet I can make it better, too. Also had some vegan fish sticks, but not VBites - good, but way too salty. I will outline the health concerns of salt below from Dr. Fuhrman.

Today was the usual - oatmeal, raisins and granola. Really, I am not getting tired of that breakfast at all.

Lunch was a large salad with chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and sunflower seeds. I got a small side of fat-free Italian (whatever that really means), but never even poured it on my salad. I didn't need it! Back in the old days I loved salads, especially dripping with gallons of bleu cheese, or creamy Italian dressing. Now, I just don't like that much dressing, or oil at all - it tastes bad to me now. I have a much more complete love of food as food without any artificial additions!

I never made it to the gym either yesterday or today - the strain in my lat muscle is too bothersome. I feel guilty, but, I have been walking briskly to and from work.

Recently, I have been pretty good at satisfying my sweet tooth with fruit, and not licorice!

Watching the Olympics as athletes compete on a snowy mountain I thought to myself, I really would love a beer. But, do I? Not really, I don't have a craving for it, but I am conditioned, mainly through tradition, of sitting down with a beer to watch someone else work their tail off in athletic competition. It's like getting popcorn at the theatre -- you are conditioned to want it whether you really do or not. I like being able to say no to such things that were such a part of my life almost 4 months ago. I really do think, no, I know that the hard part is over as far as cravings are concerned. I now realize that by resisting temptation early on because I had a goal has made those cravings subside, and it's far easier to live this new life. Now, I know full well that a cold beer right now would taste amazing, but I also know that I can enjoy myself without one.

That really is the key. I recently responded to a post about this issue. Right now I can think back to November 1st and of all the experiences I have had - watching the marathon, watching a big football game, watching rugby, hanging out with friends in bars, going to the opera, having a great meal at some of New York City's best restaurants - in not one case would drinking a beer, or wine, or eating a juicy steak have altered my experience so completely that my life is lesser for it by not partaking. Now, it is 100% true, 1000% true that a nice wine would have enhanced my experience at a fine meal, or a few beers with the boys would have been even more fun, but it was not life altering in a negative way.

It's like if you save your money for a once in a lifetime trip to some place you always wanted to go, and you stayed in your hotel room the whole time - now THAT would be a life altering experience where you truly missed out. If you chose to sit in your hotel room and watch "The Hangover" instead of watching the sun set on the great pyramids, or hiked Machu Picchu, Peru, then yes, your life is less lived without it. But, abstaining from animal products, and alcohol for a mere 6 months? I've missed nothing that I cannot relive a thousand times over in my life.

That was a real awakening for me since part of my insatiable appetite for things that are unhealthy my whole life is that I had a constant fear that I was missing out. Sitting around at a picnic with friends? Well, I was going to enjoy it to, in my mind, the fullest and that meant eating every last steak, and drinking every last beer because 1 is fun but 10 is better, right? It is so clear to see the folly in that way of living.

If I was forced to eat gruel morning, noon and night, perhaps a point could be made that I was making my life miserable and less lived, but I am not, I am eating well, and I am enjoying what I eat. Consequently, the little sacrifices like not drinking a fine scotch whiskey in an oak covered bar, or downing beers outside Giant's Stadium on a snowy Sunday is nothing, sacrificially, like sitting inside the Hilton in Pamplona checking emails on your blackberry while the bulls are running outside. Common sense, I know, but you have no idea how I would have easily compared the two for the last 10-20 years! To the old me, not eating the famed white cheddar cheese and saltine crackers while drinking dark beer two at a time in McSorley's Old Ale House with friends was like going to Paris and not visiting their restaurants, only eating in a Pizza Hut all week. Now I know. One is a mild sacrifice - but not life altering, and the other is more serious and lessens your life lived, not to mention, just stupid. I don't confuse the two any longer.

Too Much Salt (From Dr. Fuhrman)
(1) I do not recommend that salt be added to any food. The DASH study indicates that Americans consume five to ten times as much sodium as they need and that high sodium levels have a predictable effect on raising blood pressure. (2) Elevated systolic blood pressure is an important risk factor for future development of heart disease in middle aged and older adults. Even if you don’t have high blood pressure now, you probably will if you keep eating lots of salt over the years.

There is a frighteningly high correlation between sodium intake and all cause mortality in men. High sodium intake predicts mortality and risk of coronary heart disease, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure. (3) This means that salt has significant harmful effects, independent of its effects on blood pressure. Salt also pulls out calcium and other trace minerals in the urine when the excess is excreted, which is a contributory cause of osteoporosis. (4)

You should resist adding salt to foods and look for salt-free canned goods and soups. Since most salt comes from processed foods, bread and canned goods, it shouldn’t be that hard to avoid added sodium.

My Interview on Disease Proof - Dr. Fuhrman's Website

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/interviews-features-interview-with-a-nutritarian-terry.html

Remembering the Miracle

This a brief recap of my day - rather boring.

For breakfast I made oatmeal with raisins.

Lunch was a bowl of sliced pineapple, a small handful of nuts and the rest of the Black Bean chili.

I had a few spoonfuls of mango sorbet, too.

Dinner was at Ko Sushi for miso, edamame, salad, and a vegetable roll.

Clearly, my fall-back meals are too often vegetable sushi rolls, and also bread with my hummus. Tonight I decided that I am going to give up both of those for the rest of Lent!

And how 'bout the USA Olympic hockey team? Great win over Canada! Great game! And I love their vintage uniforms celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the Miracle on Ice! With mostly NHL players on the teams in these modern Olympics I really miss the true amateurs of back in the day, and what that win meant over the Soviets!

I remember that great day 30 years ago - I actually missed it since I was with my older brother at a High School basketball game. But a few people had transistor radios, and both sides of the the gymnasium started chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A." It still gives me chills! I remember Team USA losing to the USSR just days before the start of the Olympics in an exhibition game 10-3. I was just 11 years old and such a beating in hockey meant losing the Cold War was not far behind. So to beat the Russians in the actual Olympics was nation lifting! I remember watching on the countless replays on the news of the dramatic last 10 seconds, and the U.S. head coach heading to the locker room immediately afterwards and asking my father why - "So the team can enjoy the win themselves." That stuck with me. And when they beat Finland for the gold medal I remember goalie Jim Craig skating with the American flag draped over him before it became de rigueur for every U.S. athlete, and reading his lips as he looked in the stands, "Where's my father?" In fact, I have a limited edition bottle of Maker's Mark Bourbon with a Jim Craig's autograph that a boss gave me after closing a big advertising deal a few years ago.

Remember the miracle!

My 100th Post

A week ago when I boxed for the first time I really felt it in my lat muscle, even strained it a bit. All week it was a tad bothersome intermittently. After yesterday's boxing work-out I really aggravated my lower right side of my torso. This morning I was in some pain and it hurt to walk or sit. I decided I should get a massage.

I went to Equinox for a massage - it was a guy, and though I am more comfortable with a woman masseuse I figured I needed a really deep massage to really beat up my back (which I was hoping for). He did an admirable job, but he was a little guy and he was simply not strong enough to really do a great job on my lats. But, it felt better nonetheless, except when he finished by massaging the bottom of my feet...I almost kicked his teeth out. Involuntary, of course. Not a fan of the foot massage.

So, I was just too sore to exercise at all today. I felt fine about that since I worked out hard 4 days last week. Then when I talked to a girlfriend who was in Aspen and just got in from snowshoeing for two hours I started feeling guilty again. Oh, well, at least I sat in the steam room! Just 8 more days until I have to spend my time exclusively in the dreaded locker room of NYSC.

Oh, and since this gym has been my official scale I hopped on today...261 lbs.

I have lost 41 lbs thus far. The last month I have been stagnant between 30-37 lbs lost. You know, for the past two or three years I would dream of losing 40 lbs -- in between bites of my pork soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai and bottles of Tsingtao beer, or medium rare porterhouse at Wolfgang's and glasses of Lagavulin scotch. It's nice to put 41 lbs behind me, forever, and even nicer to be doubly motivated with no desire to rest on my laurels!

OK, 34 lbs to go in 69 days!

Today's food intake:

Breakfast
* 3 prunes

Lunch - at Takism Turkish (BAD - should have made my own meals on the weekend!)
* Lentil soup
* Cucumber/tomato salad (BAD - too much oil)
* Hummus (BAD - Bread Terrence? Really, can you drop the friggin bread you crack head?!)

Dinner
* Berries, banana, pineapple, soy smoothie (GOOD - did not use any sorbet)
* Bowl of Edamame with flaxseed (GOOD - flaxseed a great source of Omega 3 usually found in fish, and needed for the body.)

OMEGA 3 TUTORIAL

From Tufts University Website

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

•A type of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that must be obtained through the diet because it cannot be made by the human body

Why are omega-3 fatty acids important?

•Omega-3 fatty acids may be important in preventing many health problems, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. They also play a role in improving mood and sharpening memory.

What foods are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids?

•Cold water fish are the highest source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to be the most effective in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Other foods contain these fatty acids as well, however, in smaller amounts. The current recommendations are to have 7 to 11 grams of omega-3 fatty acids each week.

(I must note that Dr. Fuhrman in Eat to Live acknowledes the great benefits in fish and Omega 3's, but warns against over-reliance because of pollution and high mercury levels in some fish as well).