Self-Improvement for 2024.

[Old Things]

I was working up to do a single pistol squat by doing touchdown squats. I got up to four touchdown squats all the way down. On my last workout today, I felt pretty good, so I decided to try to do a pistol squat. I was able to do two per leg.

This video explains what a pistol squat is.

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[Old Things]

I think my core is pretty strong at this point. I when I work out, I do both planks and ab roller. I think it works the muscles differently, which is why I can do 12, 12, 10 of the ab roller and only 45, 35, and 35 second planks. Still, it's better than when I started, and I think that at this point, my core is a lot stronger than that of an average person.

 

[Old Things]

I am slowly gaining weight. It's only a couple pounds in a few months, but I need to start eating healthier. Biggest change to make is to drink less pop. And stop going out for burritos so often. They are so good, and not that unhealthy, but a lot of calories.

 

[Old Things]

So this is more or less my diet. Obviously, today was an exception as it it Thanksgiving today. Want to keep improving.

 

[Drvladivostok]

Wow congrats on the Progress @Old Things

When it comes to diet, I can't for the love of me engage in any strict diet, the most zealous I can get is no sugary drink and less rice. I once was able to cut down from 79,5 kg to 73,5 kg in a two weeks for a BJJ tournament (that was postponed), by just not eating anything for some days.

 

[Old Things]

Wow congrats on the Progress @Old Things

Thanks! I appreciate that.

When it comes to diet, I can't for the love of me engage in any strict diet, the most zealous I can get is no sugary drink and less rice. I once was able to cut down from 79,5 kg to 73,5 kg in a two weeks for a BJJ tournament (that was postponed), by just not eating anything for some days.

I know what cutting is from wrestling, which I did in high school.

 

[Old Things]

I started a self-improvement program today. It's run by a guy I am a mutual with on X. The program has a strong focus on journaling, which I have never really done much. I have written stuff down, but I rarely "journal." It's a way to get your life on track and develop good habits. It is a Christian program that focuses on overall physical health, Bible devotionals, gratitude, and generally starting your day on the right foot for the rest of the day. In the first meeting, the guy running the program said something to the effect of, "You can't pour into others until you pour into yourself because you can pour from an empty cup." I liked that. I am hoping that I can cultivate some good habits with this program, including waking up earlier, getting a good number of steps in, getting more regular with some things, and, above all, being the kind of man God wants me to be.

Today, I was able to wake up at 10 to 6, which I can't remember when the last time was that I intentionally woke up that early. I woke up that early (rarely) before, but it was completely unplanned. It might have been going all the way back to high school, and that was the last time I intentionally woke up before 6 AM. I have to give myself a win for that, I think.

 

[Old Things]

It's nearing the end of the year, and I don't have much to show for it (making this thread and all). I know I am not impressive to look at, but does it look like I work out at all? I have been very off and on working out this year. Sometimes, I have been very religious about it, and other times, I don't do it at all.

 

[Puffy]

It's nearing the end of the year, and I don't have much to show for it (making this thread and all). I know I am not impressive to look at, but does it look like I work out at all? I have been very off and on working out this year. Sometimes, I have been very religious about it, and other times, I don't do it at all.


View attachment 8556

Yes, you have tone so your progress shows.

Changing behaviours takes a long time and progress shows gradually so I think it's better to be celebratory of the times you stuck to it. Getting your ideal shape isn't a reasonable goal for a year and takes longer -- it's one of the reasons people frequently give up -- so I think better to reflect on whether you see improvement in the past year and if so to consider that you met your goal in that respect. Keep going!

 

[dr froyd]

looks good, very decent arms and shoulders

 

[Old Things]

Still working on losing a few lbs. It's tough. I have my "set diet" that gets me all my macros and such, but people are always offering me food and it feels rude to tell them no. On Wednesdays and Sundays, I have little control of what I eat. On Wednesday, I met with this guy I know from church who lives within walking distance of my parents, so after I met with him, I went to my parents for a while. That is like 4.5 hours of social time in one day, which is a little much, but whatever. Then, on Sunday, since I got to the same church as my parents, I ate lunch at their house. Then I go to this other church in the late afternoon or early evening, which starts at 4 PM. Then, after that church, they have a weekly meal together as a church. That's great, but it just means I am dependent on other people for what I eat. My scale barely says I have gained any muscle. The only way I have been able to tell is that when I compare from one week to the next, and there is like a .1 lb difference, it shows that .1 lb heavier is muscle. Other than that, I can't tell at all. However, I can tell in the mirror. Still, I need to lose about 5 lbs. Just have to be more disciplined in what I eat every day. The scale is definitely not accurate. No way I gained almost a lb of muscle in a week. Same for Body fat. It's good for change over time for some stuff, but otherwise just gives generalities.

My scale today.