Ask HN: How do you stay in shape?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21844528

by aphextron • 7 years ago

5 3 7 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I've found that any time I'm employed full time, I'll inevitably gain 20-30 pounds. Sitting all day and eating out for lunch adds up quick. What's worse is after a full day + 1 hour commute each way there's no time or energy left to exercise. How do you avoid this?

deanstag• 7 years ago

I was late to the game, but the last few years have been a steady progress for me.

I am not someone who can stick to a routine for really long. I am trying to build that skill and I admire those who do that. Building the habit is the best!

Now, things that have worked for me. - The 7 Min Workout on weeks when I absolutely have no motivation to spend 1-2 hours at the gym was what I started with. Doing it in the mornings has worked out better. Because mustering up the motivation to do it in the evenings is much much harder. - Note that just one set of 7-min is not enough and you should atleast build it up to 3-4 repetitions to make it worthwhile. - Once I got comfortable with a few of the exercises, I switched them with a few kettlebell exercises like swing, turkish kettlebell etc.

I realize time is a factor with your commute, but if you can, the time you set apart will be worth it.

- Group classes worked a long way. Crossfit/Crossfit like intense classes of one hour. The group dynamic helped me push a lot more than I would have otherwise - Stronglifts 5x5 - This is what I stick with now. Strength Training has given me huge improvements with just the few simple exercises.

pfarrell2• 7 years ago

Morning exercise was a game changer for me, too.

pfarrell2• 7 years ago

As much as I can, trying to make each of the following goals and being honest with myself that I will fail occasionally, but won’t have to give up everything if I do.

Walking over lunch hour and then eating at my desk. Tracking steps and striving to break 10k daily. Small sugar/junk food snacks less than 1x weekly. Cut down on alcohol. No eating after 7 pm. Get 10 hours of sleep every night. Drink lots of water. Apples and almonds for snacks. Have a scale and track your weight.

Like learning to play music, keeping your weight down is an investment in your future happiness.

Ask HN: How do you stay in shape?

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