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How I Optimize Myself

danrodriguez.me

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Re: How I Optimize Myself

#11

Post by rickdale »

>"Eat Well"

I can't think of anything more distracting than trying to fit in 5 meals/day. Lost a lot of weight doing the slow carb diet, which is eating 4 times/day and the gradually shifted to the warrior diet, which is essentially one large meal/day. Takes a few days to adjust, but once I did my ability to focus has been unreal. Not everyday, but somedays I feel like I am on adderall and it is awesome. Anyways, just want to throw it out there, eating 5 times a day can be a lot for some, and I have found other hn'ers out there that practice one meal per day. I really really enjoy it.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#12

Post by thrownaway2424 »

linux_devil wrote: post #8

>"Don't think at your desk" Personally it helps me a lot , I go for a small walk alone and it helps.

I try not to go to my desk unless I have the program fully formed on paper already. If I go to the desk with a half-baked idea I will either just stare, or I will read pointless sites like this one all day.

I used to have a computer that for security reasons was only connected to revision control, build-and-test systems, and production datacenters. No outside access. Those were the days, frankly. I don't know why the company got rid of the policy that required them, but it really improved not only security but also productivity.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#13

Post by operand »

rickdale wrote: post #11

>"Eat Well" I can't think of anything more distracting than trying to fit in 5 meals/day. Lost a lot of weight doing the slow carb diet, which is eating 4 times/day and the gradually shifted to the warrior diet, which is essentially one large meal/day. Takes a few days to adjust, but once I did my ability to focus has been unreal. Not everyday, but somedays I feel like I am on adderall and it is awesome. Anyways, jus…

Interesting. You and another commenter on the article are making me want to try this. I've definitely noticed better energy levels through the day when I eat small quantities frequently, but I agree that it can be a lot of work. I've never tried the once a day thing. I'm skeptical, but it sounds intriguing enough to try...

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#14

Post by tiziano88 »

finishingmove wrote: post #3

Mostly reasonable advice. An important step was missing though. Editor / IDE setup anyone? And in regards to that, I would like to point out one particular thing that might seem trivial. Color scheme. I think most people don't realize how much a proper color scheme helps reduce eyestrain, and hence general irritableness. Not to mention saving your eyes in the long run... High contrast between foreground and backgroun…

solarized FTW!

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#15

Post by brianbreslin »

operand wrote: post #13
rickdale wrote: post #11

>"Eat Well" I can't think of anything more distracting than trying to fit in 5 meals/day. Lost a lot of weight doing the slow carb diet, which is eating 4 times/day and the gradually shifted to the warrior diet, which is essentially one large meal/day. Takes a few days to adjust, but once I did my ability to focus has been unreal. Not everyday, but somedays I feel like I am on adderall and it is awesome. Anyways, jus…

Interesting. You and another commenter on the article are making me want to try this. I've definitely noticed better energy levels through the day when I eat small quantities frequently, but I agree that it can be a lot of work. I've never tried the once a day thing. I'm skeptical, but it sounds intriguing enough to try...

I keep a bag of nuts (almonds or whatever I have around) near my desk or in my backpack. Then nibble on them every so often between meals. Also consume lots of water. These two things help me stay alert and stave off hunger for a full meal.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#16

Post by brianbreslin »

danielharan wrote: post #2

Upvoting this, if only for the suggestion to "Don’t think at your desk", which is a strategy I hadn't heard before.

I find my most innovative thinking happens in the shower. So I bought a diver's board to write notes or ideas down in there. I think it was $6 on amazon.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#17

Post by rickdale »

operand wrote: post #13
rickdale wrote: post #11

>"Eat Well" I can't think of anything more distracting than trying to fit in 5 meals/day. Lost a lot of weight doing the slow carb diet, which is eating 4 times/day and the gradually shifted to the warrior diet, which is essentially one large meal/day. Takes a few days to adjust, but once I did my ability to focus has been unreal. Not everyday, but somedays I feel like I am on adderall and it is awesome. Anyways, jus…

Interesting. You and another commenter on the article are making me want to try this. I've definitely noticed better energy levels through the day when I eat small quantities frequently, but I agree that it can be a lot of work. I've never tried the once a day thing. I'm skeptical, but it sounds intriguing enough to try...

Try it, but you gotta get over the OMG I am am hungry feeling which takes a few days. I remember the first time I had to drive an hour while fasting, I was scared I was going to pass out, which in retrospect is ridiculous.

You adapt to it just like anything else. If you can, read The Warrior Diet by Ori Hofmekler or just find him online. The other resource that I find amazing is The Fat Burning Man podcast by Abel James. I found Abel and the podcast while searching out stuff on Ori (he is featured for one ep), but Abel really taught me how to live the fasting lifestyle, and he goes into depth about it in the episodes. Abel fasts for most of the day as well. I dont know, it might be a trend, but like I said, I really really like it. The worst part about dieting for me was eating but not feeling like I ate enough. Turns out its easier to just not eat, and then stuff my face like a child at night..

btw, I recommend working out while fasting to get the maximum benefit. If you have more questions or whatever, I can give you my email, just let me know.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#18

Post by userbinator »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #7
danielharan wrote: post #2

Upvoting this, if only for the suggestion to "Don’t think at your desk", which is a strategy I hadn't heard before.

I'm a person who just plain can't think in front of the code. Whenever I need to design something, I need to take pen and some paper, or go use a whiteboard, or go outside and take a walk, or sometimes take a shower (I use a waterproof notepad to write down ideas there). I always struggled with this, seeing how my friends can sit for 8h/day in front of computers coding good stuff, and I need to take walks outside eve…

> I use a waterproof notepad to write down ideas there

Notepad++ is waterproof already. :)

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#19

Post by dllthomas »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #7
danielharan wrote: post #2

Upvoting this, if only for the suggestion to "Don’t think at your desk", which is a strategy I hadn't heard before.

I'm a person who just plain can't think in front of the code. Whenever I need to design something, I need to take pen and some paper, or go use a whiteboard, or go outside and take a walk, or sometimes take a shower (I use a waterproof notepad to write down ideas there). I always struggled with this, seeing how my friends can sit for 8h/day in front of computers coding good stuff, and I need to take walks outside eve…

Your method is probably healthier, too.

Re: How I Optimize Myself

#20

Post by dllthomas »

finishingmove wrote: post #3

Mostly reasonable advice. An important step was missing though. Editor / IDE setup anyone? And in regards to that, I would like to point out one particular thing that might seem trivial. Color scheme. I think most people don't realize how much a proper color scheme helps reduce eyestrain, and hence general irritableness. Not to mention saving your eyes in the long run... High contrast between foreground and backgroun…

On that note, redshift or f.lux!
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