Why didn't I start doing this sooner — HN

I was reading an HN thread about “why didn’t I start doing this sooner?” It seems like these were popular:

  • Meditation

  • Fitness

  • Nutrition

  • Sleep

I’ve been pretty good about the last three in the past (except meditation). Lately I’ve let each slip a little bit and I can feel it. My energy’s not where I want it to be.

Here are the steps I’m taking to get my mind and body back in shape. It’s not ideal trying to establish multiple habits at the same time. However, I’ve worked out consistently before, eaten clean before, and had good sleep hygiene before. It’ll be as simple as hopping back on three wagons at once.

Fitness: Compound weights in the morning. Otherwise, follow the couch to 5K program. 3 miles is pretty much the upper limit for the amount of cardio I’d want to do. Cardio makes me feel good in the euphoria sense. Weightlifting makes me feel accomplished. Running will be as much for the mental benefit ast it is the physical. (Weightlifting seems better for physical health. Aesthetics are probably 90% in the kitchen and 0% on Seamless.)

Nutrition: Speaking of. I’m going to eat and drink less. Again, I know what’s worked for me in the past. I know what to do here, I just need to execute.

Sleep: I’ll aim to work out in the morning. During the day, I’ll lower my caffeine intake. At night, I’ll swap screens for blue blockers earlier. Then spray or drink magnesium. And read fiction.

Then there’s a fourth wagon that’s currently a bunch of plywood right now. I’ll learn how to meditate. I’ll start with Headspace. I listened to 10% Happier last year, which got rid of my skepticism of meditation. Now it’s time to actually apply it.

Oh yeah, ‘writing regularly’ showed up in a few responses. Gladly I can say it’s something I currently do which I’ll continue.