After I left the office this afternoon after eating my lunch at my desk (chicken meat balls, curried lentils, steamed string beans, water, 520 cal), I took a shared Citibike out for a spin around Central Park. On the way, the ground floor lobby of my office was crammed from wall to wall with office workers grabbing up free ice cream novelties and large iced drinks, mostly lemonade, sweet tea and the like. On the way back from my break in the office, I had to walk past the ever-present ice cream cooler that is always free and available to fellow office denizens. Sitting for about 8 hours, pedalling for 30 minutes, and dodging multiple opportunities to gorge on free ice cream; this is the gustatory reality of my new office life.
And I'm not the only one -- my life seems to torn out of the recent NY Times trend piece.
In his recent book, “Finding the Next Steve Jobs,” Nolan Bushnell, who founded Atari, recommends keeping toys in the office and allowing employees to nap on the clock — like Steve Jobs, who installed a futon beneath his desk.I'm not working for a start-up, but my place of employment is definitely involved in this arms race. The end of week office mixer (officially called "Beer Friday") is occasionally sponsored by a client, meaning the foods tend to reflect brand colors. Other than the weekly invitation for free booze, the almost daily plates of left over catering from client-facing meetings and the bottomless freezer of ice cream, it's not all too threatening.
But New York’s tight market for skilled start-up labor has produced an even more sophisticated arms race.
Take Squarespace, a Web publishing platform founded in 2004. On a recent Friday afternoon, employees sat serenely in the firm’s SoHo offices, the room silent except for rapid keyboard clicks. A slim woman wearing her hair in a topknot ferried dishes of shrimp gumbo and quinoa salad to a buffet; midday meals for Squarespace employees are prepared four days a week. (On the fifth day, they order out.) Gluten-free and vegetarian options are offered at each meal, as well as a fridge stocked with Tecate and Red Bull.
There is a couple of kitchen areas, equipped with sink, fridge, freezer and the all-important microwave. There is no range or burners, so no one is actually cooking anything, though that would be a REAL perk. There is a small toaster oven looking lonely in the corner -- I used it once, to toast bread; it took about 5 long minutes to get light brown. I haven't bothered since.
There are a few coin operated M&M dispensers in the kitchen (I'm cheap, so this is easy to avoid) and a couple of large electronic devices. One has a touch screen, and promises 100s of different kinds of coffee, tea and hot chocolate, all from the same spout. Bleah, that just sounds wrong. The other device also has one spout, but only dispenses two things: tap water and hot tap water. However, the water is super duper triple hooptie filtered, and emits a calm blue light from the spout when it dispenses it's liquid. I figure it can't hurt, and I like the alienesque light.
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| Filtered water, the drink that makes children smile maniacally. |
I work as a "permalancer": I get paid money, and that's it. No contract, no commitment, no benefits, just money. Today I got a notice that I've been around long enough to qualify to enroll in the benefits package offered to freelancer - a "mini-medical" plan "not meant to replace real medical coverage." Essentially, the kind of no-frills micro plan that will be made illegal under Obamacare as they really cost a lot for the little you get. Fortunately, I'm properly covered through my wife but I can't help but think: My employer plies me with ice cream, booze, bagels and shmears in free and easy quantities, but if I were to make myself sick by consuming all I actually wanted to, my employer-sponsored health care would be quite inadequate. Buyer (a.k.a. consumer) beware, and be forewarned, too. Don't get me wrong, I'm really loving where I'm working right now, but this system is f'd. National single-payer health care, take me away!
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I've been all about my weight this past year, tracking it, analyzing it, predicting it. One thing I do not obsess about (in public) is my bike riding. Though I've been riding +100 miles a week for every warm month for the past 10 years or so, record most of the stats on the longer rides and compile journal entries of my impression of each one, I don't actually go back and look at my average speeds or anything.
However, I recently signed up for the MS Century, a charity ride on October 6th where I gotta raise some bucks. The last time I rode this century was a week or so after arriving home after an unsupported bike trip from San Fran to NYC (I made it as far as Carbondale, Ill.) I was arguably in the best shape of my life, and this relatively hilly (by NYC standards) century was a piece of cake. Looking at my records, I see that I averaged 13 mph on this 2006 ride. I have not gone faster on a century since.
I don't know how much I weighed then, but I was definitely heavier, as all my clothes were still XL with a 36-38 inch waist then. Now that this past year saw the weight reduction equivalent of carrying two extra road bikes, I'm going to try to beat my personal best of 100+ miles at an average of 13mph. Motivation for getting skinnier and understanding and controlling my eating, that I got. Working hard to increase my average cycling speed, I do not. So I offer this challenge:
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| Me, on a recent 100+ mile ride |
However, I recently signed up for the MS Century, a charity ride on October 6th where I gotta raise some bucks. The last time I rode this century was a week or so after arriving home after an unsupported bike trip from San Fran to NYC (I made it as far as Carbondale, Ill.) I was arguably in the best shape of my life, and this relatively hilly (by NYC standards) century was a piece of cake. Looking at my records, I see that I averaged 13 mph on this 2006 ride. I have not gone faster on a century since.
I don't know how much I weighed then, but I was definitely heavier, as all my clothes were still XL with a 36-38 inch waist then. Now that this past year saw the weight reduction equivalent of carrying two extra road bikes, I'm going to try to beat my personal best of 100+ miles at an average of 13mph. Motivation for getting skinnier and understanding and controlling my eating, that I got. Working hard to increase my average cycling speed, I do not. So I offer this challenge:
You contribute towards my fundraising goal of $250. I train in earnest to do a +13mph century October 6th. If I do it, you have the satisfaction of both donating to a worthy cause and helping motivate me to ride a little harder towards a new level of fitness.And that is all I'll say about that. Click here to help a brutha out.
But! If I do not meet my speed goals, I will refund your donation via personal check...and donate twice the amount to MS instead.
The fine print: I will refund up to $250, donate a max of $500, for a total personal expense of $750. If I do not complete the ride for any reason including bad weather, sickness, family sickness, or other unforeseen complications, the deal is off. Measurement of speed from my own personal cyclometer.
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WEEKLY 1 AVERAGE: 2451
Not an average week. Tripped up badly on Tuesday due to still trying to find a new riddim, but did relatively well through the traditional over-eating of July 4th, and capped the week with a nice strong n' long bike ride.
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MONDAY COUNT: 2045
Was hungry after my last snack, but too tired to get up and feed. I call it the "I have a life" diet.
Was hungry after my last snack, but too tired to get up and feed. I call it the "I have a life" diet.
AM SNACK: 6am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 10:15am, Fage whole yogurt with agave, vanilla and almonds, 310 cal
LUNCH: 1:15pm, almond butter & grape jelly on whole wheat, health salad, 540 cal
PM SNACK: 4pm, seaweed sheets, 100 cal
Damn it, forgot to pack my momma salad. Good thing I had this in a drawer.
PM SNACK: 8:45pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 150 cal
DINNER: 9:15pm, shrimp & shirataki noodles in garlic butter with roasted asparagus, poppa salad, 645 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9:30pm, Fritos, 300 cal
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TUESDAY COUNT: 3400
Woke up at 4am to lift weights. Was good, but after chores and prep for the day, I felt like I needed t go back to sleep. Work day was OK but I was a little zombied, and toward the end of day found myself eating ice cream to stay focused (see below). When I got home, I skipped what I originally meant to cook and threw some frozen pizzas in the oven while I ate my salad, and once that went down my throat, I was off to the races.
I could have done a LOT worse, with the 3 pound bag of M&Ms lying around. I think this misstep is due to this being a transitional time, me & my family are still figuring out new routines. Why did I lose it? I first thought that the afternoon ice cream primed the pump, but now that it was yesterday, I think a lack of sleep really messed with my hormones and my usually clear thinking.
If I'm going to continue to lose weight, I gotta bend and not break. I bent last night, it's not necessary to beat myself up, just think about the reasons why. All that matters is that I snap back.
Woke up at 4am to lift weights. Was good, but after chores and prep for the day, I felt like I needed t go back to sleep. Work day was OK but I was a little zombied, and toward the end of day found myself eating ice cream to stay focused (see below). When I got home, I skipped what I originally meant to cook and threw some frozen pizzas in the oven while I ate my salad, and once that went down my throat, I was off to the races.
I could have done a LOT worse, with the 3 pound bag of M&Ms lying around. I think this misstep is due to this being a transitional time, me & my family are still figuring out new routines. Why did I lose it? I first thought that the afternoon ice cream primed the pump, but now that it was yesterday, I think a lack of sleep really messed with my hormones and my usually clear thinking.
If I'm going to continue to lose weight, I gotta bend and not break. I bent last night, it's not necessary to beat myself up, just think about the reasons why. All that matters is that I snap back.
AM SNACK: 4:45am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9:30am, steel cut oatmeal with butter, brown sugar, vanilla & cinnamon, 350 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, chicken sausage, steamed string beans, johdpur lentils, 510 cal
PM SNACK: 4:30pm, momma salad, 80 cal
This baggie was short of carrots so I added left over peppers, but I did not enjoy the excess peppers. You needed to read that, didn't you?
PM SNACK: 5:45pm, small Hagen Daaz bar, +/- 200 cal
Tired, end of day, free office ice cream. I made the mistake of looking in the cooler, assuming it was all crappy stuff, but there was a solid mix of crappy stuff, skinny cow diet ick, and a few small-scale premium bars, the size you have to buy a pack of 10 of to get, and you end up eating 5 at once anyway. Let's hope this doesn't become a regular thing.
PM SNACK: 7:15pm, poppa salad with miso tahini, 100 cal
DINNER: 8pm, Stouffer's French bread pizzas, 860 cal
EVENING SNACK: 8:30pm, Fritos, 300 cal
GORGING: 8:45pm, two ice cream bars, beef patty, pack of peanut butter crackers, +/-1000 cal
I think that's everything, but I'm a bit concerned I don't have a totally clear recollection. I was really tired. I do think that is an honest estimation of the calories I took in, however.
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AM SNACK: 6:15am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9:30am, Fage whole yogurt with agave, vanilla and almonds, 310 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, chicken meatballs, sofrito black beans, roasted broccoli & mushrooms, 540 cal
PM SNACK: 3:30pm, momma salad, 100 cal
WEDNESDAY COUNT: 2320
Woke up with a slightly sour stomach, but it wasn't too bad. Woke up at the ridiculously late hour of 6am.
Woke up with a slightly sour stomach, but it wasn't too bad. Woke up at the ridiculously late hour of 6am.
AM SNACK: 6:15am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9:30am, Fage whole yogurt with agave, vanilla and almonds, 310 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, chicken meatballs, sofrito black beans, roasted broccoli & mushrooms, 540 cal
PM SNACK: 3:30pm, momma salad, 100 cal
PM SNACK: 7pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 140 cal
DINNER: 7:45pm, hake loin, roasted brussel sprouts and cippolini onions, poppa salad with miso tahini, 630 cal
EVENING SNACK: 8:15pm, Fritos, 300 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9:15pm, Cheetos, 300 cal
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AM SNACK: 6am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9am, Fruit Smoothie, 410 cal
LUNCH: 12pm, grilled chicken breast, roasted brussels, kimchi, fritos, 705 cal
At first I was considering saving my appetite for the picnic, then I realized if I fill up on something healthy, I'd eat less bad stuff later. Still, I was very hungry so slowed myself down with corn chips.
JULY 4TH SNACKING: 1:30-3:30pm, mac n; cheese, various carby salads, half a beer, a few pieces of chocolate rugela, 1 small ice cream cup, +/- 1000 cal
I didn't eat THAT much Mac n' cheese, but I know enough to know that it's really calorically dense. Chose a small paper plate rather than a large and loaded it twice, once with everything, another with everything I wanted more of. It's 4th of July, no need to be an insane "diet" person.
THURSDAY COUNT: 2250
Day off from work due to 4th of July. Made knishes from left over dough and filling for a community picnic, got chores done like laundry and food shopping. Put myself to bed before 8 as I was exhausted and looking forward to riding tomorrow.
Looking back, I am pleased with how I handled this day. I celebrated the holiday with friends, eating just as they ate, and I still stayed within budget (relatively.) I felt the urge for sugar/caffeine/simple carbs to keep me upright in the evening as I did earlier in the week, but instead I went with it and got to sleep early. I just might survive myself yet...
Day off from work due to 4th of July. Made knishes from left over dough and filling for a community picnic, got chores done like laundry and food shopping. Put myself to bed before 8 as I was exhausted and looking forward to riding tomorrow.
Looking back, I am pleased with how I handled this day. I celebrated the holiday with friends, eating just as they ate, and I still stayed within budget (relatively.) I felt the urge for sugar/caffeine/simple carbs to keep me upright in the evening as I did earlier in the week, but instead I went with it and got to sleep early. I just might survive myself yet...
AM SNACK: 6am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9am, Fruit Smoothie, 410 cal
LUNCH: 12pm, grilled chicken breast, roasted brussels, kimchi, fritos, 705 cal
At first I was considering saving my appetite for the picnic, then I realized if I fill up on something healthy, I'd eat less bad stuff later. Still, I was very hungry so slowed myself down with corn chips.
JULY 4TH SNACKING: 1:30-3:30pm, mac n; cheese, various carby salads, half a beer, a few pieces of chocolate rugela, 1 small ice cream cup, +/- 1000 cal
I didn't eat THAT much Mac n' cheese, but I know enough to know that it's really calorically dense. Chose a small paper plate rather than a large and loaded it twice, once with everything, another with everything I wanted more of. It's 4th of July, no need to be an insane "diet" person.
PM SNACK: 7pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 135 cal
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BIKE CREDIT: 2275
FRIDAY COUNT:2240
When packing my bike snacks, I was newly surprised with how calorie dense M&Ms are. I packed triple the official serving, aiming for the desired 660 calories, and damn if it wasn't THAT much, a large fistful. On weekend rides, I've been packing double the amount and guestimating around this number of calories....
FRIDAY COUNT:2240
When packing my bike snacks, I was newly surprised with how calorie dense M&Ms are. I packed triple the official serving, aiming for the desired 660 calories, and damn if it wasn't THAT much, a large fistful. On weekend rides, I've been packing double the amount and guestimating around this number of calories....
AM SNACK: 5:15am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 5:30am, steel cut oatmeal, 250 cal
AM SNACK: 6am, watermelon, 80 cal
AM SNACK: 7am, banana, 120 cal
BIKE SNACK: 9am, granola bar, 415 cal
BIKE SNACK: 11am, granola bar, 415 cal
BIKE SNACK: 1pm,, granola bar, 415 cal
BIKE SNACK: 2:30pm, digestive biscuits, 520 cal
BIKE SNACK: 4:30, peanut m&ms, 660 cal
PM SNACK: 5:45pm, chocolate milk, 500 cal
DINNER: 7:30, two spicy beef patties, 725 cal
EVENING SNACK: 8pm, momma salad, 100 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9:30pm, Fritos, 300 cal
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WEEKLY 2 AVERAGE: 2239
OK eating week.
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MONDAY COUNT: 1975
I imagine I was able to come under budget because of how poorly I ate all weekend. Eat thousands and thousands of extra calories one day, save 25 cal the next!
I imagine I was able to come under budget because of how poorly I ate all weekend. Eat thousands and thousands of extra calories one day, save 25 cal the next!
AM SNACK: 5:45am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 10:15am, steel cut oatmeal, 250cal
LUNCH: 1:15pm, almond butter & grape jelly on whole wheat, health salad, 540 cal
PM SNACK: 4:30pm, momma salad, 100 cal
PM SNACK: 8:15pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 185 cal
DINNER: 8:45pm, shrimp & shirataki noodles in garlic butter with roasted asparagus, poppa salad, 600 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9pm, Fritos, 300 cal
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TUESDAY COUNT: 2295
Woke up pleasantly hungry, weights tempered the urge to eat.
AM SNACK: 5:45am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9:30am, Fage whole yogurt with agave, vanilla and almonds, 310 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, chicken meatballs, Jodhpur lentils, steamed stringbeans, 530 cal
PM SNACK: 4pm, momma salad, 100 cal
DINNER: 8:15pm, grilled pork tenderloin, roasted brocolli, mushrooms & cipollini onions, quinoa, poppa salad, 755 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9pm, Fritos, 300 cal
EVENING SNACK: 10pm, Cheetos, 300 cal
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WEDNESDAY COUNT: 2460
Had a heavier then usual dinner but went to a concert and bounced around a lot, safe to say I accounted for that extra 100, indeed needed it to keep going. Opportunities for sweets and alcohol safely avoided. Typically I would of skipped the grain with dinner, which would have knocked about 200 cal off the total, which seems right.
AM SNACK: 6:30am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 8:15am, Fruit smoothie, 410 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, grilled pork tenderloin, roasted brocolli, mushrooms & cipollini onions, quinoa, 585 cal
PM SNACK: 4pm, momma salad, 100 cal
PM SNACK: 6:45pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 170 cal
EVENING SNACK: 9pm, Fritos, 300 cal
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THURSDAY COUNT: 2270 cal
Worked from home to help recover from last night's concert. Spent the day working from home, a privilege of working in new media in a position that doesn't require many meetings. Got revisit a lunch that used to be weekly but does not travel well to the office. Has some serious angst in the evening, and found some comfort in food from my childhood. Fortunately did not go crazy. I have a good pre-made lunch I skipped today, so that'll replace the McD's tomorrow as balance.
Worked from home to help recover from last night's concert. Spent the day working from home, a privilege of working in new media in a position that doesn't require many meetings. Got revisit a lunch that used to be weekly but does not travel well to the office. Has some serious angst in the evening, and found some comfort in food from my childhood. Fortunately did not go crazy. I have a good pre-made lunch I skipped today, so that'll replace the McD's tomorrow as balance.
AM SNACK: 7:30am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 10:30am, steel cut oatmeal, 250cal
LUNCH: 1:30pm, sardine & avocado on whole wheat toast, health salad, string beans, water, 670 cal
PM SNACK: 5pm, apple/carrot/beet/cucumber/celery/ginger/kale/cayenne juice, 190 cal
DINNER: 10pm, Stouffer's French Bread pizzas, 860 cal
EVENING SNACK: 10:30pm, Cheetos, 300 cal
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FRIDAY COUNT: 2195
Week rolling to a close.
AM SNACK: 5:30am, iced green tea, 0 cal
BREAKFAST: 9:45am,Fage whole yogurt with agave, vanilla and almonds, 310 cal
LUNCH: 1pm, grilled pork tenderloin, roasted broccoli, mushrooms & cipollini onions, quinoa, 585 cal
PM SNACK: 4pm, momma salad, 100 cal
DINNER: 6:30pm, mushroom risotto, pizza, cherry sorbet, +/- 1,200 cal
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