Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#151

Post by mytimetoshine » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:21 PM UTC

dasil003 wrote: post #145

mytimetoshine wrote: post #98

Yo! My time to shine. I'm a partner in a gym. I'm fit. I'm a full time software developer. People think I'm an athlete. You're trying too hard. You need to develop a habit to get fit. Consistency > intensity. Sooooo! Here is my tip. Go to the gym. Win the day by doing really easy stuff. Everything should be easy. Then finish your session before you are tired or sore. Go get food. A shake is perfect. You need to win.…

Definitely agree with everything you've said here. You've got to build the habit first, and you have to make it easy enough to not give up early. Once the habit is established it gets a lot easier. One thing I'll add is that I believe the strength/mobility side of things is generally more important for software engineers, or at least you should not ignore this as walking/running won't counteract a lot of the ill effe…

A good coach or mentor is always worth it. If they're fun to be around it also helps build that habit!

This is great advice. I'm really happy to hear you found a coach that worked for you.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#152

Post by msadowski » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:25 PM UTC

I think it's worth experimenting quite a bit to try to see what time works for you to exercise. For me early morning works best as there are no unplanned meetings etc. and I can easily do it 3 times a week.

Also as someone mentioned already in the comments C25K programme might be a good start for running as it mixes walking and running until you build up strength and stamina to run 5k.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#153

Post by paconbork » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:28 PM UTC

rococode wrote: post #142

mytimetoshine wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah. For sure. I may have gotten excited there. Don't focus on the numbers so much. 1km is better than 0km. Walking 5km is a pretty doable though. I'm just so dang amped at people starting! WOOOOO!

When I started running I found this guide to be helpful and realistic for my starting point as a beginner: https://i.imgur.com/iWVU9vc.jpeg Basically working your way up from "I can't run for longer than a minute" to "I can run 30 minutes nonstop".

Couch to 5k? This absolutely worked for me as well. Don't try to do more than prescribed though, you need to have time to adapt to the stresses of running

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#154

Post by UsernameNotTake » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:31 PM UTC

Easy one: If you like animals get a dog. Preferably a high energy one (Border Collie, German Shepherd, Husky etc)

Mine need about 1.5 hours of walking every day

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#155

Post by d_han » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:39 PM UTC

Check out Barbell Logic Online Coaching. https://barbell-logic.com/online-coaching/

I’ve tried getting fit at so many points in my life, and this is the only thing that stuck. When you already have trouble being motivated, having a coach provide accountability and help you with your fitness goals is a gamechanger. I can’t recommend it enough.

You can also try it for free - https://barbell-logic.com/experience/

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#156

Post by garyrichardson » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:43 PM UTC

Sounds like you're close. This is what worked for me:

1) Know what your goals are. For me it was "don't be the largest size in a typical clothes store + don't be exhausted for the rest of the day after a morning out". I think you've got your goals outlined.

2) Commit the time, forever. Never make exceptions. There's no such thing as done. Plan to be working out (whatever that means for you) 3-5 times a week for the rest of your life.

3) Find a community to support you. I like a small gym with group classes + experienced trainers -- I want to be able to turn my brain off and use their expertise. Other people like to teach themselves. Others still find a community in outdoor activity groups (like hiking or cycling clubs). There's so many ways to stay active/train/etc. Do one that keeps you engaged. This may change over time. You know you've got it right when #2 makes sense.

4) Eat a quality diet -- you need appropriate fuel to support being active.

IMO, community is the most important one. Have a reason to show up at a gym at 6:00am or whatever your commitment is. Second is having trainers/resources to help you learn and improve. Don't do it on your own.

Good Luck!

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#157

Post by protonimitate » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:44 PM UTC

mytimetoshine wrote: post #98

Yo! My time to shine. I'm a partner in a gym. I'm fit. I'm a full time software developer. People think I'm an athlete. You're trying too hard. You need to develop a habit to get fit. Consistency > intensity. Sooooo! Here is my tip. Go to the gym. Win the day by doing really easy stuff. Everything should be easy. Then finish your session before you are tired or sore. Go get food. A shake is perfect. You need to win.…

Great advice here. A lot of people try to get fit instantly and it's a big horrible negative feedback loop.

One thing to add which helped me get into shape - pick one main goal in fitness. Want to lose weight? Focus on that. Want to build muscle Focus on that. What to run a marathon? Focus on that. It's really really hard to manage multiple (often, disparate) fitness goals at the same time.

Hint: "getting toned" is a trap! Generally you can either lose weight or build strength. While it's certainly possible to "re-comp" it's demoralizing (ime) because it is very slow and can lead to wheel spinning.

And yes, consistency is key. I personally fell into the trap of "go really hard, get burned out, hate the gym" early on in my fitness journey. Find a fitness routine that you actually look forward to doing every day / every other day. If you feel anxious about working out, something should be changed.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#158

Post by mikestew » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:46 PM UTC

mkw2000 wrote: post #141

The only thing that has ever worked for me is gamifying it. Ring Fit Adventure, Oculus Move, Apple Watch competitions, etc.

I'm a life-long distance runner, secondarily a cyclist, and occasional 145lb. "meathead" at the gym. As such, I scoffed at games such as Ring Fit Adventure. Oh, it's fine for other people who aren't the workout stud I am, but not for me, no, no. Due to a medical emergency, I had some post-surgical recovery to do, and it would be a while before I got back to the heavy stuff. Right before the covid started full-swing, I nabbed Ring Fit Adventure (just in time, too, before they were sold out for six months).

I scoff no more. No, it's not the same as a 20 mile run in the mountains, duh. But for my off days it's a hoot, and I look forward to it. It'll never be hard workout for me without a weight vest or something, but it's enough to get some work in on areas I might not otherwise hit at all that week. And, whoo boy, I'll admit to feeling it on some of the harder ab exercises.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#159

Post by rkk3 » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:51 PM UTC

Like others say you need to build consistent good habits for exercise, diet and sleep.

As a SE you probably have discretionary $, so spend it on a trainer. Then you will be doing it several times a week & having to opt-out rather than opt in. They will work with you to meet your goals.

Other lifestyle to help your body adapt & with recovery; Eat more protein 1.5-2g per kg of your bodyweight. Eat More Fiber. Drink more Water. Get more sleep.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get fit and healthy as a software engineer?

#160

Post by 100011_100001 » Fri, Sep 17, 2021, 5:55 PM UTC

mytimetoshine wrote: post #98

Yo! My time to shine. I'm a partner in a gym. I'm fit. I'm a full time software developer. People think I'm an athlete. You're trying too hard. You need to develop a habit to get fit. Consistency > intensity. Sooooo! Here is my tip. Go to the gym. Win the day by doing really easy stuff. Everything should be easy. Then finish your session before you are tired or sore. Go get food. A shake is perfect. You need to win.…

This might sound kind of forward, but would you be willing to share a body picture of yourself? With all the insta-models and steroid use, it's hard for me to gauge what an athletic physique on a normal human looks like.