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Bought a WHOOP and I'm trying the 75 Hard challenge starting Monday. I have a wedding to go to in April and would like to be in good shape for it.
If anyone wants to join me and put together a small group of folks to keep each other accountable lmk!
Godspeed, brother. I've failed twice. First time was Day 12, next time I made it to Day 23. I took a step back and have been resetting it. Once my mind has settled, I plan to go for it again - I will finish it one day.
Best of luck to you. Go kill it!
Thanks man, reading up on it it sounds pretty daunting but I'm excited for the challenge!
Proud of you for doing this. Looks great. But my time is not always my own. I feel some of these asks are too tall. There are plenty of days where the phone rings for me and everything else takes a backseat (work included). Just the way it goes sometimes with family/friends and life.
Thanks Wolf. It's definitely a tall order and I suspect I will be taking more than a few team & banker calls while speed walking around my neighborhood in order to hit the requirements haha
Totally hear you on the friends/family side. I'm sort of rolling the dice that nothing will happen in the next ~3 months that would knock me off track but if it does and I have to restart it's not the end of the world, just means I'll keep up the positive habits for longer!
I will read up on this challenge - may do it with you
Would be down to create a running thread which we comment on daily to keep track if you and maybe a few other folks are game. WSO 75 Days Hard Challenge lets goooo!
More like doing things I had a feeling I should have done before but slacked off:
1. Financial discipline - for the amount I make, I save too little. Comes from when ny upbringing in a low-income family. I never got the stuff I wanted in HS/college so I splurged my first year in banking.
2. Social life - for too long, I have subconsciously been addicted to social media and didn’t realize it until fairly recently. Point of life is to actually go out and meet people. Not take photos and post it to make it look like you’re actually having fun. I have found that those who are the most active on social media are not real life happy.
3. Not really a resolution because I can’t force this but I need to get a better group of friends, which is tough as an adult. Over past 2 years, I find that my “friends” make too many excuses + don’t make effort. I am hoping to meet new folks who have similar interests and can genuinely be life long friends.
4. Women are not the center of the earth. Focus on my other hobbies.
I deal with this same problem from some of my friends. It's really clear who is more of a closer friend and who isn't at this point but I still hit up the not so close people sometimes just cause I want to hangout with them even though it seems like they don't prioritize hanging out that much.
I do too, it's unfortunate but part of life. A lot of my closest friends have moved away from the area also.
I feel you. It’s tough to just give up after you have put so much effort in but better to cut bait now and start new. I have seen how other people can have such great friends and I realized I have been selling myself short by keeping in contact with subpar people.
I’m registering to run a half marathon in April. I’m also planning on doing the 21 mile Walk to Mary in Wisconsin. Isaiah, you should do this too.
I need to make a real personal budget. Right now I save a targeted amount and go wild with the rest. I’m thinking maybe I should actually track expenses and save more even if it’s in a money market or taxable brokerage account.
I am going to do more karaoke. I am going to take improv training. And I’m going to continue getting abused by my trainer at the gym. We did a cutting phase starting prior to thanksgiving and I am down 10 pounds as of Christmas Eve. It really wasn’t that bad skipping out on excessive sweets, treats, and baking. I rarely drink. Now I am more mindful of stress eating. That said, I’m stopping by a favorite spot of mine after NYE to get a prime rib sandwich! Oh yea!
Work extra hard so my associate is happy
You are the ideal employee.
Insert meme about guy enjoying the system that was designed to exploit him
Associates are never happy…
Happy associate, happy life
In no particular order:
Why the CFA now?
Same question. Pierogi- didn’t you do GS IBD and now work in RE PE? What value will CFA add to your life?
Had Invisalign for 2 years. Great experience overall, I would recommend it to anyone out who is contemplating getting them. Just remember that you will need to continue wearing them at night for the rest of your life.
Nice. I'm unfamiliar with the process and details though, what do you mean you had it for 2 years but still have to wear it for the rest of your life, don't you still have it?
biggest thing for me (and probs most others) is getting to the gym more consistently. has anyone worked with a trainer before? i feel like i'm not able to hold myself accountable enough to be consistent, and i also barely know what to do once i'm at the gym lol. feel like a trainer would be super helpful here. thoughts?
I pay a trainer and see him at least 1x a week. You people think you are working out at the gym, but you really are just looking in the mirror while flexing. A GOOD trainer will push you beyond your self imposed limit. You think you're maxing out, you are at 40% of your real max out weight. I have seen immense gains working out with this individual. It's not exactly cheap, I pay $80/hr. Start off at 1/2 hour workouts. If the trainer is doing it right, you'll be wiped out after a 1/2 hour.
Get a foam roller and fitness mat and get in the habit of stretching daily too. Stretching, mobility, and flexibility is equally if not more important than strength training.
Also with training, I partake in group fitness workout regiments. Find a boot camp class where an instructor leads a team through a fitness routine. The others partaking will unknowingly help you push yourself further beyond your self imposed limit.
If I didn't love tasty food so much, I'd probably be a cut up chiseled individual like that dude Isaiah. Then I see a Brazilian steakhouse on Groupon and go wild. Sigh.
I’m genuinely curious what programs he’s writing that are worth 80 an hour for you that you couldn’t find online or make yourself since you’re obviously not a total noob. Also, measuring a workouts effectiveness by how fatigued you are is absolutely moronic (unless it’s specifically meant for endurance, which it doesn’t sound like it is since you mentioned maxing out). Any idiot can make you tired, real progress comes from proper exercise selection and progressive overload. I agree with your point on training to failure, but studies have shown you get more gains by resting more between sets, not less. Minimizing fatigue allows for greater volume per workout, which is essentially the main driver of muscle growth and strength
I've never worked with a trainer, however I did have the privilege of getting someone to write workouts for me who's now a D1 football strength coach and did training for army SF. what I found out was that there are no new exercises, just different routines. all you can ever want to find out (unless you want to be a competitive bodybuilder/powerlifter) is available free/cheap online. here's what I'd do
that said, I have friends I used to train with before they moved away and they said they don't really learn much from the trainer that I didn't show them, but the accountability aspect is worth it. so if your 2 options are no training and train because you have someone you're paying and it incentivizes you to show up? door #2 all day long
Yeah, muffler delete
Whilst this is going to sound like something a loopy Peloton yoga instructor would say - "work on being happy, and try to be more grateful". By that I mean that given how busy work is, over the past few years (particularly since Covid) I've found myself almost on "autopilot" just getting through each work day, and before I know it the weeks have flown by in a blur and I haven't even thought about what direction I'm headed in. Particularly since the pandemic - the last 2 years have gone by so fast seemingly (even the slog that has been 2022) but even having gone through a breakup and being in a new relationship, I'm not sure how much my life has really improved for the better.
What has helped over the last few months is therapy - realize it's not for everyone, but as someone who has suffered with mild anxiety/depression for a number of years, it's been very helpful in conjunction with low-dose SSRIs. So to quantify what the sappy saying "work on being more happy" means, I've realized I need to set more specific goals that I want to hit (e.g. finally losing the last of my lockdown weight gain and getting fully back into shape) - and not just do this at the start of the year, but actively track these through 2023.
Just some I can think of off the top of my head:
- Lose bit more weight and get properly back into peak shape
- Cut down caffeine
- Appreciate and be grateful for my friends and family (easy to take for granted sometimes)
- Decide if my gf is the one I want to be with forever/propose to
- Continue therapy to the point where low-dose SSRIs aren't needed anymore
As you've probably noticed they're all personal/non-work related. I guess with work (in MM PE) there's a lot I can't control especially in this current macro environment, so all I can do is keep plugging away as I've been doing for the past few years. So hopefully whatever happens to the economic environment in 2023, I can at least figure out/improve a bit of my personal sh*t (that's the plan anyhow!)
Love this take. Looking to do the same for the most part
Calls or Puts on the GF? I like that
The biggest change I will make is being less "kind" to myself. For some reason I noticed my mind slipping more frequently into "forgiving myself" and generally just rationalizations when things get tough. "It's ok don't push so hard, work life balance is important", "It's ok to eat this or that cookie, you will get back in shape when you feel ready".
I seriously think I have been subconsciously brain washed by the new age media/mindset into taking everything easy and chill. And at the end of the day wondering why I still haven't achieved the goals I have set for myself (spoiler: can't achieve uncommon goals with common effort).
And generally, just to spend less time on social media and more time in nature. Eat healthier, exercise more yada yada you know the drill.
Get in better shape (not that I am in bad shape but I just feel like I can do more / have a healthier diet), run a marathon late next year are probably my top goals / resolutions. Ideally reduce alcohol consumption - when I drink I always drink too much so would like to reduce that and I think it will improve my overall health. Also I need to stop snacking.
Other than that I feel like I’m in a pretty happy place in my life but I want to keep pushing myself.
I was supposed to run a marathon in 2020. The Tobacco Road Marathon. I had an excellent training regimen before the race. I completed my training and was tapering the final week and then the Thursday before the Sunday race, they cancelled the race due to Covid concerns. It was a major bummer. My goal was to qualify for Boston. I used to like running a lot more then than I do now. So I've never completed an open marathon, but have completed a marathon in an Ironman and also did a 50mi trail race (Ultra), but DNFed at 48.6 miles (so close). My body was spent, I was getting the cold shivers, my light was running out, I had no food left, very little water and was lost in the dark.
You should do the Walk to Mary in Wisconsin. It's an annual pilgrimage in May. I plan on doing it.
Get some definition in my mid section. Feel like such a little bish when the shirt comes off at the pool.
This is the first time I've ever logged into WSO from a laptop but felt it would be more efficient than typing an essay from my phone. I read the above messages and put my email in for that 75 Hard, but lo and behold it wants you to buy a book lol. Not surprised - did some research online of what it actually is and it's basically what I've done in the past several times. I see the benefit of the no audiobook - few people have the patience to read anything of physical nature. I think a big part of that is many people (including me) keep themselves occupied with technology or literally anything in order to not have to be alone with their own thoughts. As I type this, I'm blasting music. Very tough for me to sit in silence and meditate or think. 75 Hard aligns closely with what I will outline below in terms of goals for 2023, as well as my reflections on 2022 (much of what I've covered in previous posts/comments on this site).
I slacked off way too hard on my diet and training over the past couple months. This will be rectified in 2023. I also spent way too much money on random shit in 2022. Didn't drink much, but when I did, I did stupid shit that not only am I "too old" for, but is not reflective of who I say I want to be as a person. Note I said "who I say I want to be" - I'm a strong believer in actions speak louder than words, and frankly I've been all words for the majority of my life. People tell me I always give great advice and that I'm a role model and blah blah blah, yet I look at myself as a failure. Just because I have money and a good job and am in decent shape, I tell myself I am successful. However, I know I am not living up to whatever potential may be there. I'd like to see what I can accomplish in 2023 if I actually put in the work. See below for 2023 Q1 Goals:
No liquid outside of water, unsweetened almond milk, and my greens / protein powder. This means no coffee nor diet soda. Why? Because I lack discipline, and this is such a simple thing to do. I literally just have to not drink anything but the most plentiful liquid I have access to (and the almond milk for my smoothies).
Eat healthy - this doesn't mean I'm not going to eat the remaining biscotti I have in my apartment. Would be dumb to waste it. However, this does mean not eating the Cinnabon when it's in the office or crushing a pint of ice cream because I worked out for 3 hours and "deserve it".
Complete my daily mobility routine every morning and night. I am not close to half the athlete I was in my prime. This is unacceptable. I told myself in 2022 it was ok because I could still pull 10 plates on deads, but it was much more difficult than it used to be. For someone who is all about "blah blah destroy the enemy crush the gym death before dishonor" I'm actually a pussy. I care about my external image so much when I know I'm being a fraud.
Complete my workouts from beginning to end without slacking off. Getting jacked is simple - I've done it before. Eat and train properly. Get proper rest. Very simple.
Stop "flexing" on social media. Why the hell do I post pictures of my families' houses? I did nothing to deserve them. Even last night, I posted a video from sitting courtside at an NBA game. I did nothing to get the seats - why do I find gratification from my Insta story being "fire"? Hell I don't even like the NBA. Reminds me of the Walter Payton quote about telling people how good you are, but when you're great, people will tell you. I feel like I have to compensate for being a fraud by showing off stuff that I had no part in cultivating.
No hookups. I am not someone I would want my future daughter to marry. I can say I know I'm a good person, and sure I don't spit on homeless people, but being the smartest idiot shouldn't be something to be proud of.
Get into a daily routine - wake up every morning at the same time. Be ASLEEP by 10pm in order to wake up at 6am. This means I'll be in bed before 10pm as I don't fall asleep automatically once I get in bed.
The above are pretty simple things to accomplish - the only requirement is discipline. No reason I can't do those for however many days are in Q1-23. Below are goals that will be more difficult and that I don't expect to happen in Q1-23, but hopefully can be accomplished by EOY.
Find spirituality / religion / figure out why I exist. Surely I don't exist to spend 10 hours a week looking at memes on Instagram. Is there a god? Why does this world exist? What purpose do I play in this life? If I were to die tomorrow, my funeral would just be my family and possibly some coworkers. My parents don't even know about the majority of my friends (which aren't many).
This is one of the biggest / toughest things that only recently came to my attention. Forgiving my older brother. The Bible speaks at length about forgiveness, and there are several verses that speak specifically to one's relationship with his brother. Matthew 18:21-22 says: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
John 4:20 states: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen".
Luke 17:3-4 says: "If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him".
The issue I have is that my brother refuses to acknowledge he ever did anything wrong to me. He used to spit on me then run away and lock himself in another room. This is where I learned to pick locks as I literally would do anything to get back at him. I used to fantasize about beating the shit out of him, but I never did as I was afraid of getting into trouble. My mom always chose his side, and my dad would even see my brother do stuff to me but would just ignore it. I truly have felt no greater joy than the one time my dad was on the steps and saw my brother hit me, and I said I was going to hit him back and my dad just looked at me. I went all out for at most ten seconds before my dad came down the steps and stopped me. I can't describe the feeling of beating him up. Now, I easily could, but that's not even something I want to do. There's no way to go back in time and fix my childhood, and that's something that keeps hanging over me like a dark cloud. I think implementing the discipline I always preach about but only commit to for a month or two at a time for an extended period of time can help me change who I think of myself as (that failure of a kid / adult) could help me break free of the demons I have inside (not only concerning my brother, but my family and life as a whole).
My brother is getting married this fall - everyone is surprised I am not best man (my dad is), but I told my brother when he announced his engagement that I would not be his best man. We are not a part of each other's lives. Exact 180 of how we were as little kids - I didn't even call him by his name until around middle school. I just called him "brother", and when he got his collarbone broken by a kid in 5th grade (I was in 2nd grade), I tried to fight the entire administration to go beat the kid up who did it. I've spoken before about our relationship, but it does bug me we are no longer "brothers". I was fat growing up then got in shape - he used to bully me for being fat, now he's clinically obese. When I graduated college without a job lined up and was living at home, he made fun of me. Now I make multiples of what he and his fiancée make combined.
Last goal for now would be to be able to tell my dad I love him. I see him all the time, but we are not a hugging family. I don't remember the last time my dad told me he loved me, but I know from his actions that he would do anything for me. He has lived an extremely difficult life - coming from a 3rd world country where he would get beat up every day to America where he has done nothing but work for 30+ years, my dad is the epitome of a strong man. Everything he has done in his life is so that my brother and I will never have to experience what he has.
In summary, my goal for 2023 is to do what I am supposed to do. I know what I need to do to get in shape. I know what I need to do to fight the demons I live with. I have no financial worries. I am in good health. I have nothing to complain about yet find myself living in a self-created purgatory. If anyone wants to chat feel free to respond here so that other's who may need help or guidance can follow the conversation. I love meeting and chatting with new people, and WSO is a solid place to do that.
Def don't have to buy the book if you don't want to, but a family member got it for me for Christmas so I decided I'd take it up. Rest of your comment resonates in a few ways. Best of luck in 2023!
GO DAWGS BABY THE MAILMAN DELIVERS
Do you have any plans to make amends with your bro?
Do you read the bible? Do you often extract wisdom from it?
Love the post man. Best of luck! If you're in Texas, send me a PM.
great goals, but be sure that you break them down into tactical, repeatable actions to get you there. for example - I will read every label and not buy anything enriched or made with seed oils, I will read at night instead of scrolling socials, I will sauna & cold shower at the gym instead of just rushing home, etc.
they all seem achievable (except 52 books, I couldn't do that and maintain a social life and I'm already a pretty fast reader), just gotta break it down if you want to succeed
godspeed!
great advice. thanks for the encouragement!
I study for the CFA in the mornings after waking up, and I've stayed consistent during January. Easier to absorb/to stick to it.
Better food / Less processed - I don't buy more junk food or things that are processed, so when I'm hungry around home I have no choice but to take some fruits / nuts / oatmeal.
I've noticed that cold showers after saunas work well, the trouble is finding 1 hour during the week to prepare for/book the sauna and show up.
reading - 30 min before sleep, finished 3 books in January
so that's how January went on. Def proud of that.
hope you're also progressing with ur new year goals man. Forza!
My goals before December 31st '23: start going to the gym again and read more books... If I do half of those things I'll be satisfied lol
1. Make a few new friends
2. Learn basic coding
3. Organically improve duration of mental focus
re: focus, you must cut out shit that is distracting you. what's worked for me
I just need to stop being a fat prick and get on a meal plan & hit the gym consistently
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