Ask HN: What is a life-changing realization you wish you had sooner?

That diet is more important than exercise. I wasted so much time in my younger years working out hard and eating like crap. This lead to an unbalanced body, i.e. a muscular outer frame paired with a fatty belly.

When covid hit and going to the gym was out of the question, I was forced to optimize my diet in order to stay “healthy”. The result of this is that I lost 20lbs of hard-to-lose weight, putting me squarely in the median weight for my height.

Now when the gym opened back up, I had the foundation of a solid diet paired with consistent exercise, which lead to me being in the best shape of my life.

I’m still tweaking my health strategy, since there is no such thing as perfect, but now I always start with improving my diet.

The Steve Jobs quote is true: "Just ask."

It's the kind of thing everyone says "of course" or "that's obvious" to and then never do in practice themselves.

I'm in my 40s and only seeing the true power now of asking for things, for help, for what you want. In business, in friendships, in romance, in all aspects of your life, when you ask, the response is most often Yes, Sure, Of course, Happy to help.

Can't stick to one:

- I thought I was ugly but it was my lack of positivity and unpleasant demeanor that were.

- Women: treat as people like you want to be treated (duh heh), the young ones "hate" you = they like you, the signals are shriekingly-obvious once you know, most are really sweet.

- There isn't much that is black and white. Maybe math and code.

- The way things really work depends on the interests people.

- Have friends in low places.

- Most people give too many fucks about what others think about them.

- Avoid people and groups who talk about others and anyone who delves into sharing drama.

- End interactions with people with cluster B issues. The self-esteem movement did create many narcissists.

- Hard work has no intrinsic value. It only has value when applied wisely and the value is captured.

- Shame, blame, pity, and guilt are useless emotions.

- Anxiety, and most fears, are nothing.

- YOLO. Better do what you want in this life today rather the "right" time.

- Internal locus-of-control is the only way to go. You're responsible to make it happen.

That everyone is insecure, and just muddling through life, not just me.

How a large part of succeeding at something is just showing up or being there. The 1979 film with the same name can be analyzed for its various profundities. For me now, a loose consistency with a sort of detachment to outcomes is one of them.

That the world doesn't work the way were taught in school. That goes for job prospects, college info, politics, government services, corporate dealings, etc.

No one sees themselve as over sensitive. Most people are over sensitive.

I have to put myself out there and talk to people

I will die.

death.