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Meat on the Street
 

Edmundo Braverman's picture
ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:00am
steak dinner.jpg

The worst trading error of my career (if you don't count my second marriage) was in Natural Gas, and it was a doozy. I don't remember the exact circumstances, but I screwed the pooch somehow and before I knew it the loss to the firm (for which I was personally liable) was well into the five figures. This wasn't me being wrong about the direction of the market, mind you, because that happened all the time. This was a bona fide, fat finger trading error - which almost never happened. I got called into the big man's office and he sent me home while he decided my fate.

He called me later that day and told me to meet him for dinner at Morton's, where we would discuss "my future with the firm". When I arrived at the restaurant I saw him, his second-in-command toady, and our research director out of Miami, a truly gigantic specimen who went almost 400 pounds. Whatever. I sat down and ordered a Mount Gay on the rocks, some bacon-wrapped scallops, a rare prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and a very nice Meritage to wash it all down. If I was about to get the ax, at least I'd have a full belly and a decent buzz.

The big man decided that the occassion called for Morton's signature 48-oz porterhouse. Now, I've been going to Morton's for 20 years and it's always been there on the menu, but to that point I'd never actually seen someone order it, much less consume it. That's four three whole pounds, hoss. When the steaks arrived, our table descended into a bacchanalian orgy of charred animal flesh. Not a word was mentioned about what happened that day. After the meal, while my head was swimming in meat and Meritage, the big man lowered the boom.

Feeling Hungry? We recommend our 48oz Porterhouse. on Twitpic

First things first: I wasn't fired. Firing me would only make it difficult to collect what I owed. Nice. His solution could even be considered a promotion of sorts, because he put four junior traders under me to help square the books faster (note: he wasn't letting me trade my way out of the position, because that would incur further risk to the firm. He put the guys under my supervision because I'd get a percentage of their profits and my hit would sting a little less). So I was going to be working for free for a while. A long while. Almost as an afterthought, he added, "Oh, and this one's on you." The waiter handed me the tab as the other guys chuckled, and I was out another $600 on top of everything else.

Anyone who has read Liar's Poker knows that Wall Street had its appetites back in the day. Almost everything - food, booze, drugs, women - was done to excess. It wasn't unusual to have a huge steak with all the trimmings at lunch in the middle of the day and come back to the office feeling like a hundred pounds of shit stuffed into a fifty-pound bag. There were a couple guys who spent their lunch hour working out, but they were the outliers back then.

As I've watched Wall Street transform itself from a locker room to a chess club over the past 15 or so years, I've been curious about how the diet has changed. It seems everyone is more health conscious these days, and that's a good thing. Believe me, as I sit here at 5'9" and 230 pounds, I wish I'd opted for a vegetable platter a few more times back in the day. I don't think I ever worked with any vegetarians, but surely there must be some on the Street these days.

The other day CaptK mentioned that he lost a bunch of weight on the Paleo Diet, and I've been hearing more and more about Paleo-style eating. Admittedly, I know less than nothing about it, though I'm guessing it involves avoiding processed foods and emphasizes foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors were likely to encounter. Sounds like a lot of nuts, vegetables, fruits, and wild game. I'd love to hear if a lot of people are doing this and if it's working for them, because it sounds like the kind of diet a guy like me could get behind without too much effort.

I'd also like to hear from the vegan/vegetarian crowd. About a year ago, my wife brought home Skinny Bitch because it was all the rage at the time. She never ended up reading it because I got to it first. I have to tell you, it is a hilarious book and extremely well written. And it lays out the case against meat better than anything I've ever read. If you're the least bit squeamish about how your steak, chicken, or pork chops go from pasture to plate, this book will turn you vegan in no time.

At about the same time, we watched Food, Inc. for the first time. My wife hasn't touched a pork product since (and, by extension, neither have I). When you see how food is produced in America, it is really scary. But the movie has a hopeful message, too. You can eat really well if you choose to.


So that's what I'd really like to know. Is the culture of gluttony still prevalent on Wall Street? Or has the advent of SeamlessWeb and the hundreds of healthy choices it offers carried the day? The life of an analyst is pretty sedentary, and there's not always time to work out. What do you guys do to stay in shape? And how big a part of staying in shape is your diet? I basically went vegetarian early in the year and pulled off 20 pounds and felt great. But the minute I stopped, the weight came right back. I'm not ready to commit to a full vegetarian lifestyle - I love my steak too much.

Is anyone in the same boat? Is Paleo the answer, or is it just another fad?

Tags:

Comments

Oreos's picture

It's our MDs birthday today,

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,454
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:58am

It's our MDs birthday today, we're going out for what quite could possibly turn into 3+ beers and steak.

i'm looking forward to it.

oh and that's lunch not dinner

Conphas's picture

Eat often, as in closer to 6

 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:43am

Eat often, as in closer to 6 mini-meals a day. Get in the habit of drinking mainly water. Try to limit your meats to skinless chicken and turkey, and salmon (or whatever healthy fish, some like tuna). Snack on fruits.

Calorie count. I know it sounds tedious, but you don't have to get nazi over it. Just keep a loose running total somewhere in your head, and as you get used to your new eating habits and fall into some routines you won't even need to do that anymore.

The gnawing in your stomach for the first 4 or 5 days as you adjust goes away and you end up feeling "cleaner", whatever that may mean to you. I sometimes cheat/splurge/apathy-binge by hitting the McD drive through, and afterward I always feel bloated, heavy, gross.

It's also important to give yourself a cheat day (or just meal) to look forward to. If you aren't getting any exercise then I'd say just once a week, say Fri or Sat night, allow yourself to eat whatever-the-fuck-you-want. The rest of the time, have a little discipline.

As you already learned from drastic diet changes (like going full vegan), you may like the initial benefits, but the change is just too much to see yourself doing for the rest of your life.

Perhaps you and your wife, if time allows, could even start learning how to cook healthier meals together, and then you could start tupperwaring some of that into the office for your meals there.

If it is an inescapable part of your work (or whatever) to have to eat out with clients often, it's really not that difficult to make leaner choices once you start being conscious of it.

I am absolutely sure that nothing I have just written is anything new to you or anyone else reading this, you just have to look in the mirror and say, "Edmundo, you are a fat piece of shit who is going to an early grave if you don't make some changes." And believe it. And make the changes.

James Hunt's picture

I did the full on vegetarian

 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:54am

I did the full on vegetarian thing just for kicks for about 6 months and then gradually let off (the almighty steak is just too tempting to give up for good). It didn't produce any positive or negative results on my weight but that is moot since I have a metabolism that would make Usain Bolt look like an amateur.

What I did appreciate from the whole vegetarian experience was that it helped me focus more on a healthy diet. My diet then consisted of mainly greasy and unhealthy foods, and it may have not put on weight but it sure wasn't healthy for my heart or major arteries. Aside from preventing me from having a heart attack, I believe the whole vegetarian experience gave me a lot more energy and stamina (both physical and mental). The nutrients and vitamins that come from an all fruits and vegetable diet really do make a difference in the physiological makeup of the body.

In hindsight it was a good experience and I never did once get tired of eating a nectarine or two every day. If anything, it helped me be more aware of my diet and health. Kudos to you for staying with it and shedding the 20 pounds.

As far as vegetarianism or the Paleo Diet being the source for ultimate bodily health, I'd say it really depends on the body type and what vitamins one is lacking in.

A fun post to read by the way.

In 1976, James Hunt broke the sound barrier through Eau Rouge only to retire before the event finished... following the race he had sex with three Belgian nurses at the clubhouse near La Source.

Capitalist's picture

Exercise is just as important

ST
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 7:02am

Exercise is just as important nutrition.

I can usually eat whatever I want but I rarely have fast food. Playing soccer also helps burning all that fat away.

The problem with diets is that they are temporary and once the body adjusts, the weight piles back on.

MonkeyShitter's picture

I've been a vegaterian for 5

(Monkey, 38
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 7:30am

I've been a vegaterian for 5 years, never eat red meat again. But, I do miss a good steak.

RoyalSeducer's picture

My gf is vegan, I like meat.

(Chimp, 13
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 8:00am

My gf is vegan, I like meat. But since she will always have veggies, fruit, and nuts around, I automatically eat these things more than I would by myself. Thus, at the same time cutting down on the crappy stuff makes that I don't have to worry about my diet. It all goes without having to think about it.
So....get a gf that's vegan :P

As long as you exercise and

eyelikecheese (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 8:03am

As long as you exercise and burn lots of calories, then it really doesn't matter what you eat, to an extent. I run about 7 miles a day, so I can have so much wiggle room when it comes to a diet

Eat Wheaties or eggs in the morning. You need your energy for the day, and need to pile it on in the morning

Stick to fruits, they are delicious. Salmon/tilapia/chicken breast are amazing sources of low calorie,high protein.low fat foods that are inexpensive, delicious, and can have so many variations to them.

I think the thing that makes most men gain weight is he alcohol. Pile on a few binge drinking nights a week usually turns into a late night food binge on mcdonalds/taco bell and being unproductive in the morning.

Cervantes's picture

I used to be heavyier...what

(Baboon, 130
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:20am

I used to be heavyier...what i do might not be as popular but i thnk its the most sane and has worked amazingly for me.

1. Diet: 2-3 meals a day...lighter at breakfast (usually just coffee). Lunch I usually get a main entree and top off with fruit. Dinner I let myself go until I am satisfied (not disgustingly full). Get used to slightly eating less. Mine is a combo of french diet/ warrior diet.

2. Exercise: try to work out 5x a week. Lift atleast twice. Do something cool like kettlebelles/sports/etc.

3. drinks: shy away from the girly froo froo drinks and beer...easier to do since i only drink hard liquor: single malt, or if im doing gin, hendrick's...stick to a couple twice a week.

thats purty much it. worked really well for me, you feel like you can be social, easier to maintain etc.

Logger54's picture

eyelikecheese wrote: I think

CF
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:40am
eyelikecheese:

I think the thing that makes most men gain weight is he alcohol. Pile on a few binge drinking nights a week usually turns into a late night food binge on mcdonalds/taco bell and being unproductive in the morning.

This is my biggest problem, around some of my bigger friends a beer..turns into 10 beers, turns into a double quarter pounder with a side of mcnuggets.

sneamia's picture

Last time I checked, 48 oz

(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:56am

Last time I checked, 48 oz was 3 lbs, not 4.

Edmundo Braverman's picture

Yeah, I've done my best to

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:57am

Yeah, I've done my best to rein in the drinking. I really only drink the hard stuff straight up anymore, because I figure that's the least amount of calories. I limit my consumption to a liter of rum a week and wine with dinner maybe two or three nights a week. I realize that might sound like a lot to some of you, but it's quite a bit less than I used to drink.

Edmundo Braverman's picture

sneamia wrote: Last time I

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:58am
sneamia:

Last time I checked, 48 oz was 3 lbs, not 4.

Ha! Nice catch. Still a pretty burly piece of meat, though.

Eating out is the worst thing

eyelikecheese (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:02am

Eating out is the worst thing you can do. For two reasons:

The daily caloric/fat/carb needs are usually found in one entree at a restaurant. You don't know what goes into the food not who doesn't wash their hands hen preparing it, nor what type of microwave they use to heat it up. Resist it at all possible

Also, I can't remember the last time I ate at a restaurant, and while walking out said " damn, that was a great meal and well worth the money"

Hoover1's picture

Mount Gay on the rocks?

(Monkey, 48
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:06am

Mount Gay on the rocks? That's not a thing.

This topic got real boring real fast.

SAC's picture

This vegetarian shit is for

HF
(King Kong, 1,171
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:13am

This vegetarian shit is for pussies. I can't believe I see dudes in line at salad restaurants.

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Oreos's picture

Oreos wrote: It's our MDs

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,454
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:17am
Mo's picture

SAC wrote: This vegetarian

IB
(Baboon, 135
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:28am

Maybe I do not have quotes under my name on google, but I KEEP IT REAL

shorttheworld's picture

This is my 48 oz portherhouse

EN
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:30am

I need a crib, a big estate, I need a boat and that need a lake, I need some salmon that need a plate, that need a chef so I feed my safe

From trading equities to slanging wine in Latin America

A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what a ship i

Edmundo Braverman's picture

^^^ I'm oddly aroused...

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:35am

jos.a.bankhard's picture

Um... nerd alert coming

CO
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:39am
spoonfork's picture

I've fat fingered for a mid 5

ST
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:47am

The healthier fast food meal

eyelikecheese (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:46am
jos.a.bankhard's picture

eyelikecheese wrote: The

CO
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 10:55am
Edmundo Braverman's picture

spoonfork wrote: I've fat

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 11:08am

In The Flesh's picture

I wonder what kind of meal

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,812
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 11:11am

Head of Metal Website: www.headofmetal.com

https://twitter.com/headofmetal2012

I am a vegetarian (not going

vanillathunder12 (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 11:55am
Conphas's picture

vanillathunder12 wrote: ...

 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 12:59pm
Edmundo Braverman's picture

Conphas

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 1:19pm

surferdude867's picture

Edmundo Braverman

O
(Baboon, 147
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 1:29pm
BigBucks's picture

i'll worry about eating

IB
(Gorilla, 509
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 2:32pm
adapt or die's picture

shorttheworld wrote: This is

(King Kong, 1,233
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 2:36pm
adapt or die's picture

Conphas wrote: Eat often, as

(King Kong, 1,233
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 2:40pm
loki276's picture

eyelikecheese wrote: As long

IB
(Orangutan, 328
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 3:07pm
kimbo's picture

Exercise is as important as

ST
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 3:16pm
copia22's picture

Anyone heard of Anabolic

IB
(Baboon, 109
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 3:39pm
jos.a.bankhard's picture

kimbo wrote: Has anyone

CO
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 3:59pm
dagro's picture

like i keep telling friends

CF
(Gorilla, 508
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 4:10pm

=========================================
"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."

levelworm's picture

I decided that I shall never

O
(Orangutan, 285
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 4:26pm
Kools's picture

The problem is that although

O
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:03pm
Edmundo Braverman's picture

@Kools Not for nothing, but

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:13pm

spartahill's picture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

IB
(Baboon, 146
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:17pm
CaptK's picture

Ah, hey guys - looks like I'm

PE
(Neanderthal, 2,344
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:37pm

- Capt K -
"Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham

dagro's picture

Edmundo Braverman

CF
(Gorilla, 508
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:51pm

=========================================
"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."

Edmundo Braverman's picture

I was hoping you'd chime in,

ST
(Human, 14,389
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 5:53pm

CaptK's picture

Edmundo Braverman wrote: I

PE
(Neanderthal, 2,344
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:00pm

- Capt K -
"Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham

Guys, A really healthy thing

eyelikecheese (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:15pm
Kools's picture

CaptK wrote: just as

O
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 6:39pm
International Pymp's picture

background: I am 6'4 and 215

RE
(King Kong, 1,882
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:49pm
International Pymp's picture

CaptK wrote: - Exercise to

RE
(King Kong, 1,882
 
Points)
 on 10/21/10 at 9:56pm
Machine's picture

Great Thread...Thanks

IB
(Baboon, 135
 
Points)
 on 10/22/10 at 10:31am

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