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Comment by mettamage | Hacker News Reader

When I used to do conscious self improvement, I journaled. I simply answered the prompt: what did I do to achieve my goal today, and what can I do better?

This had the same effect as their quantitative approach: you start to see patterns.

I’d suggest: the profound enabler of change isn’t the quantitative aspect of it, it is that you’re logging data in the first place.

Our brains can’t log that much. Notepads and spreadsheets can.

Of course, quantitative va qualitative have some trade offs, but the low hanging fruit is data logging, not Excel.

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Sounds like a refreshingly simple method. Why did you stop?

I've been a diarist before logging my mood. I stopped because it was homework. Yet it was worth doing.

I had the same experience. I was really surprised about my 4 month+ patterns. I am quite self reflective, but I didn’t see any of those patterns by simply observing my mind.

so... I'm with this, but... I know the results my logs would be.

I want to work out and be in great shape. Run, stretch, weights, yada yada.

I can log all day. It won't change the fact that I'm lazy/just don't have the work ethic to actually do it.

"I want to work out and be in great shape."

This is really vague actually, and you could chase that goal forever. I need you to set a small goal, like being able to do 50 pushups and then train specifically for that over the next few weeks whenever you can. Even if you don't become able to do 50 pushups, you'll have gotten slightly stronger along the way. Once you become stronger, you'll start feeling strong and motivated enough to do more stuff.

Set small goals that you can reasonably work toward and progress gradually. What do you mean by running? If you mean like running outside around your neighborhood, that's too easy to excuse yourself from by scapegoating the weather or that the time is bad. I recommend learning to skip/jump rope, which you can do without even leaving your home if you're feeling lazy. Once you get more fit with the jump rope, you'll be able to feel up for running when the opportunity does come instead of pushing it off.

Good luck!

I am not sure if that helps you, a tech salary (or similar) might be necessary to pull it off this way :

I am not exactly disciplined, I have thought for years about working out instead of actually doing it.

Until one year ago. I have started working with a trainer. It is insanely expensive BUT it helps a lot in establishing a routine. The exercises themselves are pretty standard, but having somebody to give you a program adapted to your current condition and to correct your movements help tremendously.

I have changed from not working out to working out 4-5 times a week.

That's exactly what did it for me, too. Except it wasn't a trainer, but a Couch to 5k like podcast. I found one that was much much more beginner friendly than C25k and also gave a strength and rest plan. Using the podcast and seeing hte weeks go by has made me much more motivated to get out and run, even on wet 5 degree centigrade days, let alone the 30 degree days.

Just something to hold yourself accountable to, really. I've also found it's why many of my other projects/ideas/desires don't pan out. There's nothing to hold me accountable, so I get bored and move on. It sucks, because it feels like I'm trapped in a rutt, but I don't know of a way to really manage that.

Last year I started a "streaking" program. You have to run at least one mile every day for a year. Eventually it becomes a habit like coffee. Once you get so many days in you don't want to break the streak. I went 430 days without a day off. Worth a try.

I (and others [1]) have found that the act of logging itself helps you build and maintain momentum. For some people not wanting to "break the chain" of visible squares/X's/dots is enough motivation to continue.

[1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/theXeffect/

There are a couple of tricks. It'll be more work than what it would take if you were a stereotypical high achieving individual but its still possible to increase the likelihood of achievong your goals.

One is habits. Start with a low effort commitment that establishes the habit. For the gym that might be going to the gym. Not working out, or even entering the building. Literally just driving to the gym twice a week. And most of the time you'll end up working out anyway.

Another is planning. Plan exactly exactly when and how you'll go to the gym in detail. Ok Thursday I will leave work early to make it to the gym on time.

Another is imagining how your life would be different if you worked out and what you need to do to achieve it. Imagine all of the benefits as wellnas the sacrifices. Imagime how hard its going to be to motivate yourself to drive the gym after a hard day. Imagine rescheduling friends for dinner to work out.

Do you understand how to do that? Do you have a workout an, exercises, schedule, measureable goals as milestones?

Often it's the nebulous goals ("be in great shape") that are hardest to work on, simply because tjey're vague.

Run a 5-minute mile. Or a 2-hour marathon. Climb Whitney. Ride a century. Deadlift 500#. 32" waistline.

Those are specific goals. The list isn'tan encompassing one -- pick one of those, or a congruent set. Bodybuilding or powerlifting and endurance sports tend not to be highly compatible, though strength training, as an adjunct to a primary goal, can help almost any activity. Another key is to pick goals appropriate to your morphology and abilities: smaller, thinner, long-limbed people make better distance runners, larger are better at power/strength sports, including sprint events. High coordination makes skill sports possible, competitive spirit and youth; lacrosse or ice hockey.

Logging can help you discover your interests, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as progress toward goals.

But showing up at the gym with "get into shape" is pretty vague. If you're starting at a tyical baseline, almost any introductory fitness programme incorporating strength and cardio will benefit.

Group, team, or club activities are another option.

This may help too, I was lazy about it too, and I found that once I had a goal I wanted, it really helped me actually achieve something.

If you want to work out, two suggestions I can give is check out starting strength. That's a very good workout routine. Another if you ha e the money is to hire a personal trainer. Both of those have really helped me.

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