Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Your number one priority

nickcrocker.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 73 posts

Re: Your number one priority

#61

Post by Jem »

mannicken wrote: post #12

I never exercise. I hate exercising. I do dance several times a week, however, and like to walk around/be jittery so I hope that helps me stay in shape. I don't stay in the house much -- it makes me depressed. Essentially I'm getting a kick out of using my body to move me around, make it do things. And I keep a daily chart of weight that helps me intuitively feel when to stop eating. Right now I'm at around 78 kg at…

> I keep a daily chart of weight that helps me intuitively feel when to stop eating

You're relying on a chart to dictate your eating... surely this is the opposite of intuitive?

Re: Your number one priority

#62

Post by DTrejo »

knodi wrote: post #11

I have taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu(BJJ) for about the last 4 months and it has done wonders for me. My energy levels are higher, my mind is sharper, and my confidence is better then its has ever been. Not only its a nice break from my day but it has become my second passion in life. 4 classes a week hour each is not a bad investment in one's self.

Do you have any concerns about hurting your hands? (I'm guessing you are a developer). I'm interested in starting BJJ this summer.

Re: Your number one priority

#63

Post by benjiweber »

dpark wrote: post #60
benjiweber wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A practical way to get exercise anywhere is to arrange to live about 20 miles from your office and cycle to work every day. Convenient way to get exercise, wake up in the morning, and de-stress after work.

20 miles each way is 2 hours total for a very fit cyclist. It's 3 hours or more for most people. And you'll need a shower when you get to work (and home, really). I don't think that's convenient for most people.

2 hours total yes, which is enough to maintain a reasonable level of fitness. You don't need a shower when you get to work if you wear lycra - it's fast wicking and you'll arrive drier than if you had taken public transport in cotton.

Also odour is caused by bacteria. If you shower before leaving and wear clean lycra there's no need to shower again at the end.

Re: Your number one priority

#64

Post by cjus »

AndrewMoffat wrote: post #25

It's a trade-off for me. For the most part, exercising every other day has good short term and long term benefits for my productivity. But sometimes, just saying "fuck it", not eating, not exercising, and blasting through code for a few days gives serious short term gains. It's not sustainable, and I've now learned when to quit, but the gains I get during those periods get are something exercising and being healthy j…

I don't think that's delusional - the same approach has certainly worked for me - when it's been necessary. Sometimes you just have to go into crunch mode and make shit happen.

Re: Your number one priority

#65

Post by JeffL »

sliverstorm wrote: post #24
Mc_Big_G wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just moved to the bay area last December so I don't know all the best places yet, but you can do everything you just described very easily in SV.

I have heard California described as the mecca of rock climbing, and of course there's plenty of surfing if you get yourself south. Santa Cruz mountains are famous for their mountain bike trails. Snowboarding is a tad out of reach with the drive to Tahoe, but not undoable. (Yeah, it looks quick on the map, but OH GOD THE TRAFFIC)

If you can get some flexibility with your work days and go up Thursday night (after 7:00) and come back Saturday night, then the drive to Tahoe is a really quick and nice 3.5 hours each way with no traffic at all.

Re: Your number one priority

#66

Post by dredmorbius »

DaveMebs wrote: post #41
Mc_Big_G wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just moved to the bay area last December so I don't know all the best places yet, but you can do everything you just described very easily in SV.

CA is amazing for everything described above, and doable from the SV, but it is much less convenient than I imagine Vancouver Island is. Living in Seattle I can be actively engaged in any of the above with a 45 minute drive or less. From the SV, you are likely looking at a trip to Tahoe for any good climbing, hiking or skiing. It's doable, just not as convenient. (Note: I hate to appeal to authority, but I lived outs…

If your goal is alpine hiking or skiing, then yes, you're going to need to head up to the Sierra. Most good spots are about 100 miles (160km) from the Bay Area. Depending on when you leave and traffic, that's 2.5-6 hours (the last during peak tourist season).

But if you're talking about hiking hills and lower peaks (to ~5,000'), surfing, windsurfing, etc., then from any of the major population areas (San Jose, Penninsula, San Francisco, East Bay), odds are good you're within 45 minutes of good waves, 20 minutes to water period, and in many places, can simply walk to a trailhead.

Sacramento is a good 80 miles from San Francisco, and isn't considered "Silicon Valley" by any means. Even there, you can find recreational cycling pretty much anywhere outside city limits, or the American River Trail. The Sierra's that much closer, with a 1 hour drive up I-80 or US 50 taking you to prime hiking spots.

Re: Your number one priority

#67

Post by dpark »

benjiweber wrote: post #63
dpark wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

20 miles each way is 2 hours total for a very fit cyclist. It's 3 hours or more for most people. And you'll need a shower when you get to work (and home, really). I don't think that's convenient for most people.

2 hours total yes, which is enough to maintain a reasonable level of fitness. You don't need a shower when you get to work if you wear lycra - it's fast wicking and you'll arrive drier than if you had taken public transport in cotton. Also odour is caused by bacteria. If you shower before leaving and wear clean lycra there's no need to shower again at the end.

2 hours total is not a reasonable level of fitness. That's an exceptional level of fitness that would out you well outside average. Most people cannot bike 20mph for 60 minutes, or anything close.

As for not needing a shower, I'm wondering if you're the stinky guy at work. An hour of hard exercise will make anyone sweat. Wicking clothing will help but not eliminate this. As for the bacteria, those are on your skin. They reproduce constantly, and showering beforehand will not change that. You need a shower afterward to clean off the ones that have grown on you during your 20mph bike ride. You at least need to be taking a "sponge bath".

Re: Your number one priority

#68

Post by alperakgun »

dpark wrote: post #59
skrebbel wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My experience is that with ridiculously much exercise, I can do with less sleep and still feel excellent. However, that usually means trading one hour of sleep for one hour of additional exercise. And I'm lazy, so sleep it is! :-) The thing I'm jealous at you US people for most of all (except those from Maine and Alaska) is the ability to wake up with the sun each morning. Here in Northern Europe, the seasonal differ…

Most of the US isn't like that. I live in Seattle now, and the winter days are quite short. Even when I lived in Mississippi, I didn't wake up to sunlight in the winter unless I got up late. It'd be light when I left the house, but not when the alarm went off.

now that i have tablets and smartphones, i accompany them to exercise, sunlight or tech readings. sleep is my only time without a gadget in my hand.

Re: Your number one priority

#69

Post by knodi »

DTrejo wrote: post #62
knodi wrote: post #11

I have taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu(BJJ) for about the last 4 months and it has done wonders for me. My energy levels are higher, my mind is sharper, and my confidence is better then its has ever been. Not only its a nice break from my day but it has become my second passion in life. 4 classes a week hour each is not a bad investment in one's self.

Do you have any concerns about hurting your hands? (I'm guessing you are a developer). I'm interested in starting BJJ this summer.

The way I think of it is that I can't live my life in fear of what if I hurt my hands or "what ifs". Just live and do what you feel like doing, be a kid again.

Re: Your number one priority

#70

Post by DTrejo »

knodi wrote: post #69
DTrejo wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have any concerns about hurting your hands? (I'm guessing you are a developer). I'm interested in starting BJJ this summer.

The way I think of it is that I can't live my life in fear of what if I hurt my hands or "what ifs". Just live and do what you feel like doing, be a kid again.

I totally get that — just curious about what kind of precautions you take, or if you've had any issues / avoided any. Thanks!
Post reply on HN