Forging Through the Furnace

The temperature yesterday was record breaking - 103 degrees! Today is supposed to smash records too!

I went into Dante's Inferno, otherwise known as the New York City subway, and took the N train down to Union Square. Usually bustling, even without the great Farmer's Market which is only open M,W,F, Union Square was quiet - the oppressive heat curtailed mid-day strolls. For lunch I had the vegan wrap at the Coffee Shop, and it could not hold a candle to the one I made on the 4th of July. Still delicious of course, but I prefer my freshly grilled concoction. I was still hungry, but I made myself wait, and sure enough :20 minutes later I was fine. Plus, I didn't want to feel overly full before my workout in the Park - I needed that room for all the water I needed to drink!

Walking to Central park in my gym clothes is a great feeling of accomplishment because I was tired from the weekend, and my knees were sore - it would have been quite easy to beg off. But I didn't and I think I got a few looks of health envy from passing sweat-stained businessmen. I would always feel guilty walking home from work or to the bar and see people in their workout gear; now I was one of them.

My trainer and friend Chris, who has 20 years in the business and teaches around the world, wanted to try some things out with me before the class that would cater to my painful knees. These are not aches, mind you, but significant pain exacerbated when walking up steps or, of course, doing any strenuous running activity. Through trial and error we found what exercises were too painful on my knees, and which ones weren't. This is significant because of how many people who say, "I can't exercise because I have bad knees." If you can get a good trainer that knows movement, and knows the body, he can find ample exercises that works out muscles and spares the joints.

The team was smaller last night, just 5 of us. Most of the things we do that are not on the TRX are, as I mentioned, stuff you did in Physical Education class or on a sports team. Some of it not too strenuous in and of itself, but we are always moving. That is the key - none of this is called exercise, it is called movement. There are no "reps" and "sets" -- it is all about the quality of the movement over the quantity. After an hour of doing routines that work out your entire body I was exhausted. Chris wants to make me a project, so you may see video of me doing these exercises on my blog. Last summer out in the Hamptons while socializing, I was complaining about my knees (also holding up a 290 lb body at the time) and told Chris about the exercises my Physical Trainer had me doing after my knee surgery. Squats were still excruciating for me so Chris took a 2"x4" piece of wood and placed it under my heels and it alleviated much of the pain. The guy really knows how to get the maximum amount of success from your body. Check out his website: http://www.movementfirst.com/

After a circuit of various movements that look simple but are quite effective at burning your muscles and getting your heart rate up, and then some more work on the TRX, we jogged over to two iconic places in the Park. We ran past the famed bandshell, which has been entertaining audiences in the Park since the 1920's {see New Yorker, 1927} with everyone from Duke Ellington, to Irving Berlin, to even The Grateful Dead, and then on to Bethesda Fountain. Jogging past the bandshell there was a classical music concert going on and I was reminded yet again how lucky I am that Central Park is my playground. We then ran up and down the steps, then push-ups around the beautiful Bethesda Fountain. We took plenty of water breaks because of the heat and humidity, but I was drenched from head to toe when the hour was up.

Part of their tradition after a hard workout in 100 degree weather, I learned, was a trip to Harry's Burritos to sit outside and sip frozen margaritas. For those of you wondering how it is possible for one man to have so much temptation and alcohol around him, walk a mile in my, nay, walk seven steps in my shoes!

As we sat outside in the heat, already drenched to our socks, the discussion was all about diet, and the confusion around it. Chris talked about someone who heard that vegetables should be eaten raw, others say steamed, and others say that when they are boiled they lose all their nutrients. So this person said that

because there is so much confusion she doesn’t eat any vegetables anymore. This, obviously, is a cop-out. In fact all statements above have truth to them, so the answer is EAT VEGETABLES regardless! Yes, if you boil your vegetables like my Grandmother to the point of mush, you will lose most of the nutrients, but that does not mean popping a cracker with some Cheez Whiz is going to be better for you! Yes, there is confusion, and way too many books, but when in doubt use common sense! Or look at it this way, eat more like a gorilla, and less like a 12 year old at Coney Island with a $50 bill in his pocket!

I had another unlucky incident with food (remember the kidney beans in the cafeteria?). While at Harry's I munched on some chips and guacamole (it's terrible. For good guac in the city go to Rosa Mexicana, for great guac, come to my apartment). Everyone was eating a meal, and I was not that hungry - filled up on water and chips. But I decided to join the group. Somewhere between my pontificating on the importance of Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live, and a story by the woman in the group about finding a spider in her bra at work, I bit into my vegetable burrito only to find a 2 inch twisty-tie, or whatever their name is. The thin, pliable tie that goes around plastic bags of bread. I was pretty upset - I mean, how hard is it to keep foreign objects out of food in a restaurant?! Yes, folks, that's Harry's Burrito on 71st and Columbus. The manager asked if I was, "hurt," -- read: injured, thus involving litigious behavior on my part. I said I was fine, and reading her real concern said I was not going to sue, but I was not happy about it! So she comped my half-eaten meal. I also had ordered a side of asparagus, but they were drenched in oil and not good, but what do you expect from a Mexican restaurant - I should have just waited while the team ate, and had a salad at home.

Really, I am much better off making my own fresh food!

Tuesday Notes

1.) Two minutes ago My Vegan Quest just got its 30,000th page view! Thanks for continuing to read this blog!

2.) Today is oppressively hot, supposed to reach 102 degrees (38.8 Celsius), and brutally humid. Tonight I have my team work-out in Central Park which will be a good way to forget my few transgressions over the weekend. Not to mention, I am sure to have lots to write about -- although not quite expecting the Bataan Death March, it will be less than comfortable to be sure!

3.) Blogger Comments Moderation is down today, so I will post them here, and my responses:

* Hello Terry, Now that you have tried Vegan you might want to check out on a Lovegan diet. Its kinder to oneself and the environment........Ashok

** Thanks Ashok, I read the blog you sent me. It is very interesting, but I decided 8 months ago that this vegan quest, and nutrient dense focus will be for dietary reasons only, and that is why I very rarely write about the ethical or spiritual issues associated with it. Thanks for reading! Terry

* Terry, I've read your entire blog over the past few weeks and am truly impressed! Your desire to share with us your successes and and slip ups is a refreshing change in today's society...where everyone wants to pass the blame onto someone else. I recently started the vegan journey. I've read Dr. Fuhrman's book "Eat to Live" and want to read the other two sequel books "Eat for Health." Anyway, just had to let you know that your posts are a joy to read and I look forward to reading more about your vegan quest. Trish

** Thanks so much Trish! Yeah, I found during my 6 month journey (which continues) that the best way to deal with one's weight issues is to look in the mirror. I think following Dr. Fuhrman's books are an exceptional way to change your life. Along the way to weight loss, it's OK to lose yardage, commit errors, have runs scored against you, muff penalty kicks, get sent to the sin bin, and roll gutter balls, but in the end as long as you win the game that is all that counts! And when it comes to your health, winning is most definitely everything! Terry

The Long, Hot Weekend

On Friday I went down to the Jersey Shore with high hopes of a spectacular weekend. It was nice and relaxing, and I spent a significant amount of time on the beach which was great. But, I found myself still chasing fun standing in the middle of the Parker House feeling wildly out of place and 20 years older than everyone else. I have had some great times there in the past, but this weekend was similar to others spent there this year -- people watching and trying to shoe-horn in college-age thrills to fill some temporary personal void, and failing. Hours earlier I was loading up my shopping cart with gorgeous fruits and vegetables and grilling a fabulous vegan wrap - then in some weird fit of pathetic loneliness at a crowded bar I tried to emulate the younger guys in their frat-boy surges. It is in moments like these I stupidly resist the need to be a grown-up because my mind wanders to many years ago when I had a few great times in this place.  Oh, well, I ended the late night only eating half a slice of pizza after purchasing two of them.

But the best thing about the weekend was buying a weekend's full of cherries, watermelon, peaches, tangerines, and plums. I also got zucchini, summer squash, onions, tomatoes, and shitake mushrooms.

The 4th of July weekend is all about tradition for me, and that means having a BBQ. We certainly grilled, but next to the hot dogs and hamburgers were my pristine vegetables. In a tortilla wrap I spread with a generous helping of humus I added the perfectly grilled vegetables, and tofu -- although the presentation was not as good as the vegan wrap at the Union Square Coffee Shop, it was twice as good! I have no problem making it my new traditional Independence Day meal!

I did have some minor victories as well. When my good friend took the flavored Vitamin Water bottles out of the freezer to fill half way with vodka for the beach I refused. He jokingly said, "screw you," but decided to not take the bottle to the beach either. Again, it is all in the socialness of the desire to drink. He didn't want to bring his plastic bottle cocktail if I was not going to be joining him.

Saturday night was a party at a friends house where for the first time I was surrounded by people my own age and older. But even that was not the knee-slapping good time I wished it to be. And this goes to my core, the thing I have battled - my desire for all or nothing. I used to be a prisoner to the adage: If one is good, ten is better, and when it came to this over-indulgence, one was too many, and ten was not enough. Well, I conquered that in the area of food. I am winning, all things considered, in the area of drinking. But even with weekend parties and nights out I wanted it to be the greatest time ever or the night was a failure.  As I better myself, as I reach my goal, as I do things that improve upon who I am that is sure to go away too.

At the party there was an enormously obese women in her mid-40's sitting by herself and not talking to anyone. She looked a little lonely (for all I know she could have been perfectly content, but in my narrow mind if you are not holding court with a crowd of people then you are lonely). I dragged my chair over and introduced myself -- unfortunately, she was terrifically boring and I regretted my effort to make a new friend. It was my fault for taking pity on this woman because she was heavy and seemingly alone. I should not be so judgemental of people in how they look no matter how well intentioned.

The weather was remarkable and the ocean was cool and refreshing...you know, I thought I saw something in the distance and my heart raced a bit. 35 years after I sat in my parents little Honda at the Drive-In (eating a chili cheeseburger from the famous burger place Tommies, I seem to remember), I still think of Jaws when I am in the ocean!

Yesterday was an interesting lunch, and very good! My buddy's girlfriend made Hiyashi Chuka - cold ramen soup. Perfect for a scorching summer day! It was ramen noodles in a cold soup with vegetables. I loved it.

Today I went to Klein's seafood for lunch. It is quite famous, but honestly, it is not that fantastic. I had an urge for fried clams. Why? Because it's summer! And I remember that awesome time back in 1991 when I would eat fried clams in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod and the world was at my feet! My mind works that way sometimes. I remember having an awesome time at the Parker House in 2004 and I try to recreate it come hell or high water. I remember enjoying fried clams back when the first Bush was in the White House, and I think I could recreate that time for me now. Well, I knew better, but I ordered them anyway and it felt like a gallon of grease was eating away all the wonderful nutrient dense food I ate all weekend. Maybe I just needed to remind myself that living on past enjoyments is not the best path to take. It worked.

The stupid fried clams was by far the worse thing I ate - 1 out of 10 ain't bad.

Actually, the best moment of food choices came one morning when a house full of hungover people were choking down greasy bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches and I made my oatmeal with peanut butter and raisins. The fact that those bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches looked gross to me, even after a pathetic chase for fun the night before, speaks volumes of where I have come in this quest to change my life.

Happy Independence Day!

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...

Entire declaration in link: 

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html

Where are You in the Remaining 8?

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a healthy and fun-filled weekend celebrating the birth of this great nation! And for those of you in the 39 countries around the world who read this? Thank you, and have a terrific, healthy, weekend!

Now, looking at my Google metrics, I have discovered that My Vegan Quest is read in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. That means we only have to reach one person in 8 states so this blog can be read in all 50!

So, as a huge Independence Day favor to me, if you know someone in one of these states, please forward along http://www.myveganquest.blogspot.com/. Thank you and Happy 4th of July!

The silent 8:

Hawaii, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Louisiana (my knock on La. and their obesity rates may have resulted in a boycott).

Crossroads of the World

I had a craving for something different yesterday. My client luncheon at The Palm steak house  rescheduled so there was no salad eating at a table of rare, blood and butter dripping steaks...child's play for me now. So I went to a Mexican place across from The Palm for some guacamole, salsa, black beans, and chips. It satisfied my appetite and taste buds and I didn't feel too guilty about it. It was a gorgeous day and I decided to pick up a blueberry concoction smoothie at Jamba Juice for the walk back to the office --- a simple bag of frozen blueberries, and a banana in a blender is just so much better, and at least half the calories.

After work I went to the gym to work my still aching legs. It felt better riding the bike, walking on a steep incline and doing the elliptical. I also did some arm presses, but it was a truncated work-out today. However, I have never been to this gym after work. I always go at lunch, and when I go after work I hit the one near my apartment on the walk home. Working out at my "work" gym in the evening was different. The clientele were different. In fact, at least 20-30 of the women in there were absolutely gorgeous, young, and in amazing shape!  I'm in Times Square, so maybe they are actresses? Dancers? No, they looked too pert, and perfect and not exceptionally tall. It was quite a site, a jaw-dropping, gut-sucking-in site! And they seemed to all know each other. It was like another universe separate from the same gym patrons I typically see!

On the way out I asked the Assistant Manager, "OK, what's the deal? Where did all these beautiful women come from?" The Assistant Manger is not a guy who would particularly care for such a beautiful site, and sniffed, "Oh, they're the Jet's cheerleaders. They work-out here." "Wow!" Looks like I may have found a new favorite time to exercise!

I met up with the lady of London, before she heads back across the pond, for dinner. Wanting just a salad I took her to my favorite, Chop't, just south of 42nd and Broadway (my vegan wrap at the Union Square Coffee Shop would have to wait). Being a spectacular evening we ate out on the the tables that were once Broadway the road, and now a pedestrian walk way.

Currently, as an art project, there are pianos strewn across the city. Wed. night the Nurse and I tried our hand at Chopsticks on the piano at the entrance to the Astor Place subway station. I'm not good. This piano was right below 42nd and with the Crossroads of the world at our feet, and thousands of tourists milling about we ate and enjoyed the continuous stream of people -- all ages, races and creeds, hop on this piano to play their favorite tune. It was amazing. Just another reminder of how lucky I am to live in such a place! An old black man "ragged it up " on the keys like it was Scott Joplin ca. 1895, then a kid, about 12 with a Dallas Cowboys jersey banged out something familiar, then some Asian girl fiddled about with Mozart, then a tall Middle Aged man played some popular theme songs, then some child who looked 5 who played quite well, then a Middle-Aged mother, who looked like a piano teacher, played Chattanooga Choo Choo. Her daughter in her early 20's then accompanied her in song and sang Edelweiss, and then God Bless America. It really was the most beautiful sight in the world. All impromptu, all random people drawn to play and listen to music at the busiest intersection in the Galaxy.

My friend said I looked 10 pounds lighter than when she first saw me last week at The Lion. Clearly it was that alcohol puffiness that went away, and my renewed energy to eat and drink the way I need to. We had a terrific conversation and mentioned how she showed my blog to a guy she does business with who is 6'5" and 350 lbs. He was convinced that I had taken some sort of pills to lose that weight! I laughed as hard as I did when she told me her new French boyfriend could lose a few pounds. But, our talk was on a different plane now, and it was far cry from that night last year when she suggested that Heather was curious to know if I'd go vegan for 6 months and I spat my beer through my nose and bellowed, "Vegan? I don't need no stinking vegan!"

Times change.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye...

Still sore today. OK, it's official, I really did over-do it on Monday. Heading to the gym now, so we'll see how it goes.

Last night we went to the 100 year old Sunshine Cinema (an old Yiddish vaudeville house) on the Lower East Side to see the Italian film, "Lo Sono L'amore." (I Am Love). Also, there was a movie premier happening at the same time for the film "The Kids Are All Right" with stars Julienne Moore and Annette Benning to add to the excitement of living in the greatest city in the world.  It's not often you have to push through security and photographers to go see a movie on date night! "I Am Love" was one of those artistic films beautifully shot that critics love, and I was left saying, "I don't get it." I mean a few years ago I would have thought, what the hell was that film about? But now that I study film, am writing a screenplay, read books about film, and attended classes, I can certainly appreciate it as a piece of art; but as human drama it appeared irrational...maybe it was a cultural thing being Italian? Regardless, what I really enjoyed was the cinematography, and the sensuousness of food. Although the scene of ecstasy was over prawns, the real hero, food-wise, was fruits and vegetables. And I don't mean a cheesy after-school special!


The purity of grown vegetables and fruits in the Italian countryside has a part to play in this melodramatic, well-acted film. It really made careful food preparation, and fresh produce, and refined dining a showcase. It was very Italian , very beautiful, and very un-gluttonous. It made food, real food, unprocessed food, food not made by machines, nor people with hairnets and gloves, but rather humans passionate about growing and cultivating their food -- it made plant-based food (and flora and fauna) the height of beauty, and for that, I really enjoyed it. But, in the end, I thought it just had too many questions. A beautifully shot film should not leave a reasonably educated person saying, "So, what was in that note he sent his mother?" And "Wait, you mean they didn't know she was pregnant?" And, "Oh, you think he was in love with the chef too, no way!?"  FYI - Hardly spoilers, so don't sweat it!

Afterwards, we walked to get dinner. I was craving some fresh, meticulously prepared vegetables from a chef from Nice, but we settled for the restaurant at the new Crosby Street Hotel. After randomly running into the lady of London (a slight awkwardness as the ex met the Nurse), "Of all the gin joints, in all the world..."  all was fine and we sat outside on a gorgeous night and had a lovely meal. The appetizer was an exquisite plate of freshly prepared guacamole, hummus, and babaganoush. I broke a little and ordered the asparagus risotto, but it was not too cheesy at all, and quite good.

We then debated and discussed to the point of annoyance whether I should have a nice bordello on this beautiful evening outside in an opulent space after an Italian film that mixed sex and food like a horse and carriage. I was con, she was pro. I really am sick of discussing this issue. Really, really sick of it.

The Thursday before 4th of July weekend, and I am heading straight to the gym! But later on I am going to the Coffee Shop where I can have my favorite vegan wrap!

It's Working

Why is it that it is always on the second day after strenuous exercise that you hurt the most? I know it is totally normal with experts calling it delayed onset muscle soreness. Apparently, it is because of inflammation and tiny tears in the muscle. It is normal, and it is a terrific sign your muscles are working, and you will continue to burn fat. Also, when you are sore you should not stop working-out. As the age old saying goes, you have to know what is an injury, and what is just pain. Pain is good.

So today I can barely walk my muscles are so sore, especially my legs - it is a terrific feeling to struggle to get out of my chair and walk like an old man. I know that sounds weird.

Yesterday, I had to grab a late lunch of edamame, miso and salad. Last night I had dinner with a public relations guru. A very interesting and lovely woman, I was giving her the run down of My Vegan Quest and she liked the story for the same reasons everyone else seems to - I am a regular guy, with regular desires and needs and personal peccadilloes, who struggled to find and succeed with self discipline. Success in the ordinary is something everyone can relate to. She wants me to make this my "brand" and go on a speaking tour, and of course she was pitching the job to be my PR agent!

We went to a really good seafood restaurant called Lure in SoHo. A beautiful place that is designed like the interior of a ship, it also has quite a nice bar (however off limits to me).  I established up front I would not be drinking anything but seltzer water, but encouraged her to feel comfortable to drink. Being the quintessential NYC PR agent she knocked back three goblets of Sauvignon Blanc before the main course. Needless to say I was envious.

There is also a sushi bar so I decided to order the sashimi platter, being careful to stay away from the simple carbs in rice. Being that in one week there are 21 meals,  if I have a non-vegan meal just once that is about 5% and is in line with my current eating goal. My appetizer was an exceptional asparagus and mushroom soup with shrimp and mushrooms. The interesting thing about it is that it looked like a green puree, and tasted amazing! The shrimp was good, but sitting in a hot bowl of soup was a tad over-done, but the mushroom was awful, actually it was inedible! Now, I like mushrooms, and I don't think I ever refused to eat anything on my plate before (except that time at a Hawaiian Luau when I spit out a mouthful of poi -- my brother said it was chocolate pudding) But these mushrooms...it didn't compute, the soup was delicious, but the actual mushrooms tasted like they were marinated in Windex window cleaner, it was awful...wait, I just thought of something else I really cannot physically eat, vegemite, that Aussie sandwich spread, sorry Oz, I just can't stomach of the stuff...back to the mushrooms, they were bad. Anyway, the soup is worth getting regardless of the mushrooms.

Dessert was some tea, and then we walked across to one of my favorite, old time bars Fanelli's Café on Prince St. which looks the same as when it opened in 1922. With no seats at the bar, and me not drinking we decided to leave, but continued the discussion about the importance people in the city put on drinking. The bar really is the village green in the city, and it is done by impulse. However, like Monday showed me - there is so much more to the city - Central Park, and as the Nurse taught me - Art Class, or volunteering, whatever. In fact, stopping into a new bar on 55th Street that looks ridiculous (The PR woman pegged it for vintage Las Vegas tacky), I saw a bunch of drunk Wall Street types acting like a horde of slobbering jackasses. It in impossible for me not to smile. So glad I was not one of them.

Sometimes you just have to peel off that impulsive Velcro that affixes bars and drinks to all things nighttime in the city.

Monday Fun Day!

If you walk 1 mile from your home, or your favorite hang-out, is there much of a change in scenery, people and atmosphere?

Exactly 1 mile from the triangle of my apartment, the Pig 'n' Whistle, and P.J. Clarke's is the Northeast corner of Sheep's Meadow in Central Park. Walking there last night I was instantly reminded that there is a wonderful world outside of my normal routine. In Central Park you become energized by all the people running and exercising in the world's playground.

Yesterday it was record-breaking heat all around the city. I think Central Park at noon crested at 96 degrees (35.5 degrees Celsius), with humidity at a similar number. It was brutal weather to walk around in, let alone exercise in!

My two good friends run a training class on Monday nights in the park. After countless attempts to recruit me for this class I decided to check it out. It is worth pointing out that the attempts from these same guys to recruit me for a session at the bar was met with far less resistance over the years.

Now, I really loved my personal training with the boxing, but at $90 per session, not really worth it in my estimation. Plus, I am rather motivated at the gym, and pretty consistent in my schedule. But there is a huge difference between being trained and doing your own thing. Mainly, when you are pushed you inevitably work-out harder than if you are just on your own. Also, your body does get conditioned to your work-out, so even though I sweat profusely and I am tired after my abs work, then stationary bike, then elliptical machine, then treadmill work, it is the same thing over and over, and I can do it without falling over in exhaustion. Being trained disrupts that significantly.

Hearing over the years about who these guys train I had a completely wrong perception. For some reason I was expecting to find this class as a handful of slightly chubby women in their late 30's. What I found when I met everyone was the class had 9 people, guys and girls, mostly in their 20's, and all but one looked like they could run the marathon tomorrow. This was hardly a "beginners" class. Although these guys offer that too.  Also, this class uses TRX which is a great apparatus that really kicks your butt!

By 7 PM the heat had relaxed a bit, but the humidity was still sauna-like. Working out with a group of people had that team effect that I grew up on and not experienced in 10 years. I loved it. The head trainer was an old football guy like me, and many of the drills I used to dread in the heat of August in High School at the start of football season where employed here. But this time I had an electric charge - it was a weird mix of nostalgia, déjà vu, and the charge of working out with a team. Funny, while watching the World Cup Sunday morning with the ladies of London, my friend, and author of the note posted Sun. really urged me to join a team again.

"On the line!"

Unless you have played competitive sports you will not know the dread of those three little words. It is always said when you are dog tired, soaked to your socks, and bent over with your hands on your knees. "On the line!" is the exact opposite of "Rest," "Water," and "It's Over." It means the thing you just did that exhausted you, well, get on the line and do it again. Through the pain I secretly loved it. I was not in a bar, I was not at home puffing a cigar, I was outside in the greatest city, in the greatest park, surrounded by gorgeous trees and gawking tourists. "On the line!" sucks, but it is what will get me to my goal. These guys run a great class, and they even offer classes to tourists visiting NYC - much more scenic, and a better work-out then the hotel gym! If you are visiting NYC, or live here - check them out! www.fittoursnyc.com

The exercises consisted of running with high knees, moving laterally, walking on your hands and feet, running backwards, running on an angle, running through squares on the ground, jumping jacks, and various other exercises that you would be intimately familiar with if you played sports. That expensive equipment at the gym? Give it a rest. Those old exercises had my blood pumping, my heart rate up, and my lungs convulsing. After all, as the Marines say, "Pain is weakness leaving the body."

 

But the real killer, training wise, was the TRX! Hanging from the poles of the old volleyball courts were all these canvas straps with handles. Developed by a Navy Seal this training equipment is a full body work-out that uses your body weight to developed your muscles, and your core, and, well, make you absolutely dog tired. This is not a paid endorsement, but check out the video and you can see how intense this is!

After an hour I could barely walk. Although some of the running exercises we did were pretty rough on my knees, and needs to be modified, my whole body had that awesome soreness that, well, weakness was leaving my body. The TRX exercises were humbling, at times humiliating (because it showed me even with all my crunches, my core is not as strong as it needs to be), and always left my muscles burning.

I then walked over to the Arts Student League where the Nurse was getting out of her drawing class. I picked up a brochure and thought to myself, "Man, what a great life to live working out in Central Park some nights, then taking an art class at the 130 year old famed Art Students League other nights." It is so easy to better yourself! Sadly, for over a decade I thought the pinnacle of living in New York City was sitting in one of their famous bars with a glass of whisky like a 6th digit, and telling glassy-eyed stories like Captain Quint aboard the Orca, or humorous stories like some Junior Varsity Rat Packer.

My Vegan Quest is entering a new phase that will go above and beyond diet, and even exercise, and into a new realm of living and living well. I am excited about figuring it all out!

The Weekend Reality

If this weekend taught me anything it is that although my eating was quite good, and I entered the weekend with a strong 2 hour workout Friday night, my sense of fun is like a really comfortable T-Shirt that I can slip on with the ease of blinking your eye. In the same bar that I watched the Yankees win the World Series with a seltzer water, I watched the USA team fail against Ghana with great friends. The bartender, also a friend, informed us that because of an inventory error this particular brand of beer would be free. Free beer? Chants of "U-S-A?" Even a judiciously used vuvuzela? Ummmmm, Jersey Shore, or Upper East Side of NYC, no matter, that T-Shirt fit me effortlessly. I tried to stem any further damage with healthy meals before and after.

Sunday morning I met the ladies of London at a pub for the atrocious England vs. Germany game, and sipped some tomato juice. Sunday afternoon back to my cardio for 40 minutes, and then I was summoned by friends to another Bermuda Triangle of mine, this one 20 blocks north - Brother Jimmy's and Doc Watsons. With a great Irish seisiun going on in Doc Watsons I decided that this would be my Mardi Gras, my "Fat Tuesday" before Lent. The game that I would limit myself to 7 drinks per week with an out clause to add :20 minutes of cardio to my exercise was just that, a game, however, well-intentioned. It had no basis in reality.

So, until I make my goal, I am not drinking. "Drinking" is the operative, plural, word here because there will be rare times when the social occasion calls for a toast of wine, or a celebratory (single) beer. But, it will be rare. As much as I want to say that I am going off the sauce 100% again like My Vegan Quest, I also want to be realistic, and not a nudge in these social situations where refusing one drink would create rancor and disharmony (OK, that's a slight exaggeration). Basically, it is grown up time until I hit the 225 lbs mark.

Guest Comments

One of my dear friends from London, an executive coach and a spin instructor wrote me a note I wanted to share because it is so true:

"Step Aside"

Read the blog and just wanted to add my thoughts..welcome or not...not sure.... but I so want you to get back on track with your goal and as much as you write about the extra gym sessions if you have over 7 drinks it is important to understand the real impact of the drinks that unfortunately will not be levelled out by the extra gym sessions.....it might make you feel better but the effect of what you have done does not go away...


Alcohol gives you calories with no other nutrition and those calories are high—7 calories per gram, almost as much as fat (9 calories per gram) and more than carbs or protein (about 4 per gram). Worse if the fact that your body processes the alcohol first, before fat, protein, or carbs. Thus drinking slows down the burning of fat. Once you drink the damage is done..the sugar is in your system and your body will always burn sugar before fat.


Remember in the absence of sugar your body will burn fat for energy, therefore when you go to the gym for the extra time you are only burning the sugar alcohol not the fat.....therefore you will not loose weight as your body is just relying on the sugar alcohol for energy.


Terrence, you know I am your number one fan and I have your back..having seen you in LA looking so great and having so much energy and vibe was terrific. I was so very happy for you. That photo taken of you in your office is awesome.....you have been inspirational in your resolve....put yourself back on that track and reach your goal ......

As proven in the last few weeks T, alcohol is not a great friend ....step aside.....

Friday Night Strong!

Yesterday I ran into a friend of mine after I had my edamame, miso, and salad (no fish) at Haru. He is a triathlete and I mentioned how I enjoyed his updates on Facebook about all the training, and half marathons he does. He said, "Well, what else can a single guy in NYC do? If I didn't train I'd party myself into the ground!" He then commented on my quest and said, "Honestly, I don't know how you did it (giving up drinking for 6 months), I mean, what else is there to do for fun?" Here is a guy who is in such great shape that he drinks with impunity on the weekends.

Again, this is the culture in which I live, but I took his comment about training keeping him out of trouble and he is exactly right!

I chose not to go to the Shore this weekend because I wanted some quality time to myself where I can do constructive things all weekend that do not revolve around drinking. Basically, I firmly resolved to avoid the near occasion of "sin" -- I took extreme temptation out of the equation. Not to mention, with my :20 minutes of extra cardio (on top of a prescribed :40 minutes) for every drink over 7 I have in a week needs to be employed! Thus far I had 11 1/2 drinks this week, so I am looking at 90 minutes of extra cardio I must do! Well, tonight I knocked off one of those extra drinks doing intense cardio for a full :60 minutes today (:40 regular work-out, plus :20 extra).  :70 extra to go!

 Actually, after work tonight as everyone around me rushed to get out of the city for the weekend I casually, and happily walked to the gym and worked out for a full 2 hours tonight!

Today for breakfast I snuck out for some fresh fruit and water at a bar while watching a few minutes of the Brazil vs. Portugal World Cup match. For lunch, my typical salad of lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, black beans, chick peas, kidney beans, some peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

After my huge work-out of weight lifting, ab work, and an hour of cardio: :20 minutes bike, :30 minutes of the elliptical, and :10 minutes of steep incline on the treadmill, I came home to enjoy a plum, a smoothie, a cigar (I know, I know, but cut me a break), and a couple liters of water. I usually re-use my bottles for at least a week -- nothing better than NYC tap!

I feel great, and I feel IN CONTROL, and now watching the Yankees vs. Dodgers game.

Now, tomorrow I will naturally be at a bar to watch the USA take on Ghana in the World Cup, but I am not too worried - I watched the Yankees win the World Series with a pint of seltzer water in my hand.

A Day in the Life of New York City

Thursday morning I saw some action, and learned that sometimes running is a really really bad idea. If you allow me a reprieve to speak of something not related to my vegan quest:

On my way to Green Symphony for some oatmeal I saw a man in T-Shirt and shorts sprint down 43rd Street. A van blocked my view so I could not see where he was running to; I paid it no mind. Then I saw a cop running after him. And then another. I hopped out into the middle of the street to see if these less than lightening fast officers needed the assistance of a 42 year old with two bad knees. Oh, no need at all! About 20 yards away I saw a cop tackle a man I had not seen earlier, and then the man in a T-Shirt and shorts (I quickly saw was an undercover cop) joined in the open field tackle of the "perp"  (perpetrator) as well. The under-cover speedster then introduced his knuckles to the tackled man's head over and over and over again as the perp struggled to break free of the ever growing collection of NYPD officers joining the fracas. Now this was not a movie, it was better than movie! I was now standing 5 feet from the life and death gymnastics of police work as more and more of New York's finest dove into the scrum while the perp struggled about. Even when it is 7 on 1 it is very hard to place handcuffs on the 1 if he is determined for it not to happen - it was quite a long struggle. I heard the first cop I saw running say to a Lieutenant, "I asked him to come over and speak with me and he just took off running!" I then looked at the man on the ground, who surprisingly looked in his early 50's, with a canvas briefcase next to him screaming, "I can't breath!" Hmmm, I thought. He is putting up a helluva fight for having no oxygen. You can breath. It is rather simple actually. When you are in the middle  of one of the top targets of international terrorism just 8 weeks (and 2 blocks away) after a terrorist tried to blow up as many people as possible and a police officer asked to speak with you it is probably in your best interest not to take off running down the street carrying a bag - if you don't run you'll end up breathing quite well. But what I loved is this all took place right in front of the large stage doors where the Local 1 union guys are building the sets for the upcoming Broadway production of Spiderman. True to New York City form, all the hard hats came running out to assist the cops if necessary. One hard hat came running out with a drill in his hand! I really really love this city! Just when you think this brotherhood and unity was dissipating, something like this re-energizes you and you happily remember we are all in this together.

If I appear less than sympathetic, and callous towards the man on the ground, I apologize. But when I pass men in riot gear and machine guns most mornings as I walk to work in a building at the heart of a giant bulls-eye, I sort of loose sympathy for those whose actions exacerbate an already tense life and death situation. Now, maybe he just missed a few parking tickets, but if you want to run and fight do it at the gym, not with the NYPD.

A Confession

I was not going to tell this story, but, the nagging sense of guilt is forcing my keyboard:

In regards to my business trip on Wednesday, the 8:10 AM train was permanently delayed so there was a mad rush to jump on the Acela (Express) train at 9:00. I would still have time to get into Philly, rent a car and drive to my 11:00 appointment, but it would be cutting it very close (as it was, I pulled into the parking lot of my client at 10:55 AM!). Myself, and dozens others scrambled to get onto the Amtrak queue to exchange our tickets for the Acela (being a more expensive trip we were forced to exchange our tickets and pay the

difference). Amtrak is a perennial money loser propped up only by the daily travelers (mostly business people) going to meetings at points between Boston, New York, Philly and Washington, DC. Therefore, all those in line were frantic about missing meetings when the 8:10 went out of service. Visiting Grandma in Baltimore 2 hours later than expected is not cause for eruption at the glacial pace of the Amtrak ticketing staff, missing a meeting worth millions of dollars is. The snarls of everyone in front and behind me as we impatiently waited to get on the next train spoke many stories. And then, I lost my cool and said something shameful.

The meeting in Philly was months in the making, we just submitted a Request for Proposal to their ad agency, and we have never been able to carry this particular business in the past. The importance of this meeting was huge, and missing it was not an option. My story was replicated amongst my new cohorts in similar circumstances in line - everyone had an important meeting to get to. Group anger makes fast friends. Then a Red Cap, carrying luggage, brings a cartoonishly obese businessman to the front of the line. With the clock ticking down to departure - minutes away - and the threat of seats being sold out an imminent probability, the queue (men and women alike) exploded the second this hugely rotund man cut the line and went up to the window. Everyone started shouting and screaming at him, and I too lost my cool, I am ashamed to say, and I am disgusted to say that as I joined the chorus screaming at this man, I called him "tubby." Who am I to criticize anyone's weight, ever? It was a short burst of immature anger, and infantile name calling. Although my fellow queue mates called him vile curse words with angry spittle coming out of their mouths, I went for the jugular, and I acted like a complete jackass. It seems attacking someone's weight is the last acceptable point of difference to point out in polite society, and it is ridiculously, sadly wrong.

Most of my life I felt terrible for those who were overweight, and incensed when anyone would make fun of them, but there I was in a moment of unjustified rage going against what I believe. If I called him a Bastard, or a M'ther F%$&@ (like my queue mates) I would have long since forgotten it, but I didn't. I made fun of the way he looked, and I still feel terrible. Not to mention, it was really the Red Cap's fault!

Getting my just deserts, the woman in front of me got the very last coach ticket on the train, and I was forced to fork over another $145 for a first class seat. First class on Amtrak is a far cry from first class on Virgin Atlantic, or even first class on a Greyhound bus! In fact, it is exactly like riding coach, but you get a free breakfast fruit plate - 3 strawberries, 6 damaged grapes, and a tiny slice of orange. Definitely worth the
extra money, and trouble, and shame of name calling.

Travel Day...Hard to Eat Well

Wednesday morning I caught an early train to Philadelphia for a big meeting and lunch. Running late, naturally, I figured I would find something for breakfast at Penn Station before boarding the train. Who was I kidding? Not an apple, nor banana in sight. If I wanted a sugar covered donut, or a giant chocolate chip muffin, or a dripping egg, cheese, and sausage on a bun I was in business. But something healthy? No such luck.

On the Amtrak train I got the fruit plate...it was pathetic in size and quality.

Lunch was at The Four Seasons in Philly and I ordered the salmon (fulfilling my full 5% of non-vegan meals per week), and a salad. The salmon was the size of a fig newton cookie, and the meal, especially for the Four Seasons, was quite unimpressive.

This was trouble since I was still hungry when I got back to the 30th Street Station. A beautiful train station, their food court was your typical assortment of fast food restaurants that serve high fat, low nutrient food. I had an hour to kill so I went to the bar to watch some of the World Cup and eat some more. Not much to choose from I got the hummus plate, which was very good, but I clearly had too much bread. And, well, another tic on the ledger! The weekend was going to have be a dry one!

I got back into the city in the evening where I had time to engage in about 35 minutes of intense cardio - I was drenched through and through.

Later I met the lovely ladies of London at The Lion -- one of those new, hip, celeb places where I don't belong. It was great catching up, but when I was told I looked to have gained a little weight it was disheartening, but they were dead right! Enjoying the ambiance, and the good cheer, and Regis Philbin (a tiny man) walking by, I decided, after 4 large glasses of seltzer to order a Rye. And, another tic off the ledger!

The week was getting weaker, and I am now thinking of staying in the city to engage in lots of physical activity in central park, etc to end the week on a high note. There is no way a weekend at the Shore would be the best thing for my self control at this stage! Plus, the beach house promises to be over-flowing with people so my sleeping will suffer as well.