9 ms·

Your number one priority

203 points by nedwin 15y ago

missy 15y ago
Tim Ferriss made some excellent observations and developed methods on how to optimise your time related to work and personal time. I ve tested several his hypothesis and they did have some impact on me. I just bought the 4 hour body and I can see this same thinking of his this " 80 / 20 " Paretos Law. I think if you can read both these books , snythesis Body and Lifestyle using his principle based on the 80 / 20 you will see great changes. Richard Branson is role model to many of us but he is very wealthy and as he mentions in the video that he has an Island that helps, Ferriss guide offers a perfect low cost alternative. Recommend !
- seven_stones 15y ago
  Hate to burst anyone's bubble but Tim Ferriss is selling snake oil. The 4 Hour Body is roundly and deservedly mocked on bodybuilding forums. Its claims are completely delusional. Among them: # How Tim gained 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, without steroids, and in four hours of total gym time # How to sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested # How to triple testosterone and double sperm count # How to go from running 5 kilometers to 50 kilometers in 12 weeks # How to reverse "permanent" injuries This kind of stuff only fools people who don't have prior information to compare it to. For example, the "incredibly high" level of testosterone he is talking about is in the 600 ng/dL range, which is a normal level. It is an expected number, and the variation he observes is completely within the range of natural fluctuations. Testosterone peaks and falls. It is also impossible to gain 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days with that level of testosterone. In fact, it would be impossible for anyone other than a professional bodybuilder coming back from a layoff (it's quicker to regain if you've already achieved it before) WITH high doses of anabolic agents including testosterone, pushing massive weights. (Injectable testosterone esters have long carbon tails which means the molecules take much longer to be broken down. This jacks up testosterone levels 24 hours a day, without the peak/fall of the normal cycle. This vastly increases the window for protein synthesis.) Just look at the claim: 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, which is over a pound a day, in less than 4 hours in the gym. This is almost 9 POUNDS OF MUSCLE per one hour of exercise. Completely ludicrous. Sleeping 2 hours a day? Sure. Forget 8-minute abs, we've got... 7 minute abs! Being able to run 30 miles after 3 months of training? Are we onto this BS yet? Those injuries you've got, they aren't "permanent"! Note the scare quotes. It's just in your head, and if you don't get these fantabulous results, it's your own fault. Lazy bum. There are similar problems with the 4-hour Workweek. Just look at all the publicity for it -- it was a CONSTANT media blitz where Ferriss was working around-the-clock to promote himself. And he's been doing that for a long time; his self-promotion is a full-time job in itself. It's the same old story with all the so-called financial gurus. They ALL get rich by selling you a book about how you can get rich quickly and with barely any work. Anyone who's ever done any programming or writing knows how little 4 hours is. As a weekly investment, that is NOT the path to mastery or startup success. You can't even be a successful snake-oil salesman with 4 hours per week, as evidenced by Ferriss himself. It takes lots of work and dedication.
  - MaxGabriel 15y ago
    I don't think any of your arguments are very responsive to Ferris's reasoning. For example, that it's "ludicrous" for him to gain muscle with so little gym time is not responsive to the argument that not allowing muscles time to recover retards growth. Moreover, I think it's a misinterpretation to say that Tim is promising people, say, 2 hours of sleep per day by reading his book. His book is a documentation of experimentation by himself and others, and especially for sleep is partly theoretical. But his analysis on how to cut sleep time is still helpful, especially given the scheduling constraints Ferris recognizes for a 2 hour sleep schedule.
    - lsc 15y ago
      Ferris sounds like someone claiming they can sell you a part you can bolt-on to your engine to double your gas mileage. I mean, I don't think anything he said violates the laws of physics; It's possible, but it's so unlikely that without extraordinarily good evidence, I'm simply going to ignore the claim.
    - seven_stones 15y ago
      > is not responsive to the argument that not allowing muscles time to recover retards growth. That point isn't in dispute. What is in dispute is the degree of alleged growth. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. > and especially for sleep is partly theoretical Especially since he himself is nowhere close to the 2 hours claim. I heard someone else did this... > Moreover, I think it's a misinterpretation to say that Tim is promising people, say, 2 hours of sleep per day by reading his book. "YOU WILL LEARN (in less than 30 minutes each) # How to sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested" "From the gym to the bedroom, it's all here, and it all works." "You don't need better genetics or more discipline. You need immediate results that compel you to continue. That's exactly what The 4-Hour Body delivers." http://www.fourhourbody.com/ http://www.fourhourbody.com/ Praise quotes for the book, FROM the book: “Timothy has packed more lives into his 29 years than Steve Jobs has in his 51.” —Tom Foremski, journalist and publisher of SiliconValleyWatcher.com ...More lives? Remove the "v" and I'd agree. “Reading this book is like putting a few zeros on your income. Tim brings lifestyle to a new level—listen to him!” —Michael D. Kerlin, McKinsey & Company consultant to Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and a J. William Fulbright Scholar “Tim has done what most people only dream of doing. I can’t believe he is going to let his secrets out of the bag. This book is a must read!” —Stephen Key, top inventor and team designer of Teddy Ruxpin and Lazer Tag and a consultant to the television show American Inventor And the subtitle: "AN UNCOMMON GUIDE TO RAPID FAT-LOSS, INCREDIBLE SEX, AND BECOMING SUPERHUMAN" How much Kool-Aid does someone have to drink before they aren't embarrassed to buy into these breathless sensationalist claims?
michaelschade 15y ago
Agreed. I've also written about exercise and its benefits (or really, the benefits of exploring other areas of life that one might enjoy outside of work): http://mschade.me/be-a-better-entrepreneur-be-a-little-selfish http://mschade.me/be-a-better-entrepreneur-be-a-little-selfi...
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
jamongkad 15y ago
Agreed that is why I always walk to work and rarely bring my car.
chrchang 15y ago
Definitely agree, it's not just the health benefit of exercise but the attitude that comes with it. You become more energetic, proactive, etc. Such positive attitude will diffuse into the rest of your life!
tkiley 15y ago
This is one of the reasons our development team is located on Vancouver Island. We could have set up shop in the middle of Silicon Valley's startup culture, but instead, we set up shop in the middle of world-class mountain biking, hiking, surfing, rock climbing, and snowboarding. Collectively, our team gets no shortage of exercise! Incidentally, outdoor activities provide a great environment for generating creative solutions. We do some of our best problem-solving out past the break, or on the uphill side of a downhill ride.
- Mc_Big_G 15y ago
  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.
  - sliverstorm 15y ago
    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)
    - lpolovets 15y ago
      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) www.bayareaskibus.com helps with the traffic. You pay a little extra and then don't have to worry about driving. You can use the 8 hour round-trip to sleep, read your Kindle, watch movies, etc. (I'm not affiliated w/them in any way, but I've used them ~15 times and am a happy customer.)
    - JeffL 15y ago
      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.
Swizec 15y ago
Exercising for 30 minutes every morning has certainly had a good impact on my life I think. And because I do it in the morning it means that no matter how poorly the day goes, at least I've managed to do something positive for myself. Conversely, though, I am very very grumpy when I don't get to exercise in the morning for whatever unavoidable circumstance.
- karlzt 15y ago
  Since blood pressure is higher in the morning, it's better to do exercise in the afternoon.
  - lsc 15y ago
    According to the mayo clinic website[1] blood pressure actually peaks in the afternoon in healthy individuals. If your blood pressure peaks in the morning, they seem to be saying you may have a health issue. [1]http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00391 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00391
rodh257 15y ago
I currently work full time and do full time uni, so my time is stretched as far as it can go. I've sat down an analysed my productivity over the day and noted that from when I finish work at 5 or 6 until after I finish having dinner at around 8-8.30 I rarely get anything done, I try, but end up being distracted. So I decided to write that time off, and go do exercise to refresh myself for the late night stint. I always used the excuse that if I'm going to be up really late tonight working, how can I justify half an hour of exercise, but once you sit down and be honest with yourself you'll realize that you waste many half-hours being distracted/on HN/Facebook etc, and those half-hours don't have the benefits that exercise does.
skimbrel 15y ago
Concur. Walk to work instead of driving if you can, walk somewhere a little farther away for lunch, whatever it takes. Would that more of us spent even a fraction of the time we spend developing our minds on taking care of our bodies.
knodi 15y ago
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.
- mathattack 15y ago
  The beauty of jiu jitsu is you can visit new academies on business trips. It's a social sport.
- dudurocha 15y ago
  I'm taking classes too. And in the last couple weeks I've been off because off classes and overwork. Maan, this is bad. I need to get back. And about BJJ, I'm really enjoying it. Its wonderful how its making me more confident and active.
- DTrejo 15y ago
  Do you have any concerns about hurting your hands? (I'm guessing you are a developer). I'm interested in starting BJJ this summer.
  - knodi 15y ago
    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.
    - DTrejo 15y ago
      I totally get that — just curious about what kind of precautions you take, or if you've had any issues / avoided any. Thanks!
      - knodi 15y ago
        Do yoga, lots of it. Like 30 minutes a day. Don't wear knee pads or ancle pads they will get you hurt more. Being flexible is the best way not to get hurt and just don't force anything just flow. Flowing will allow you to control the pace and allow you to tap early (and tap often). Also avoid rolling with meat-heads.
mannicken 15y ago
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 189cm which feels good. My new favorite exercise would be punching people who tell me to eat more in the face.
- guard-of-terra 15y ago
  I second that. I'd better read an article on "How to avoid exercising all together and still rock on" because I ming bogglingly hate the concept. I love doing things. I like climbing hills, swimming seas, walking cities. But I HATE HATE HATE just being in the room and doing funny things with my limbs until you die of boredom. Running is not okay also unless you're running from someone scary.
- NickNative 15y ago
  Dancing = exercising as far as I'm concerned. Walking too. Being jittery I'm not so sure.
- Jem 15y ago
  > 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?
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
- mcantor 15y ago
  Just FYI, on this site you reply by hitting the small "reply" link under someone's comment. It's all threaded.
inopinatus 15y ago
Honestly, this is one of the reasons I quit my job to launch a startup. If I'm feeling blocked, I can take the day off, go for a 200km bike ride, and reboot my brain in the mountains. And no-one call tell me not to (ok, except the wife). It's a potent combination of meditative thinking time, vitamin D, & suffering-induced endorphin high.
mathattack 15y ago
Great points. Lately I've been cramming workouts right before work or lunchtime. Lots of general health ane energy benefits. For boring married folks like me, I would add family time every day is important.
AndrewMoffat 15y ago
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 just can't measure up to. Maybe I'm delusional
- cjus 15y ago
  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.
slewis 15y ago
I have to add a second priority: get enough sleep. For me sleep is more important to my productivity than exercise (though of course exercise helps with sleep). I don't know if everyone is as dependent on a good night's sleep as I am, but I feel the effects of waking up even 30 minutes too early. Its like night and day (intended).
- rkalla 15y ago
  Couldn't click "Up" enough times on this. The difference in productivity between a day preceded by a good night's sleep and one where I stayed up late then got up early are probably 50-75% for me. Diet, exercise, weight loss, meditation, walking, music, etc. etc. etc... nothing has as much an effect on my mood and mental performance as sleep does. I can literally eat butter until my knees buckle and as long as I get a good night sleep I'm good to go the next day. I know none of this is cool like the people that are energized by a quick 13 mile run or 40 mile bike ride at lunch time... I'm not sure why I was dealt the hand of "sleep is the best thing ever", but I've learned to optimize for that and it has helped a lot.
  - yzhengyu 15y ago
    I concur. If I don't get at least seven, eight hours of sleep the day before, I find myself staring at the screen blearily the next day (at work) or succumbing to a mid-day nap (if the next day isn't work day).
    - nasmorn 15y ago
      Funny, when I am tired I nap especially on work days. Playing in the park with my little girl tired is less enjoyable but sitting in front of the computer after lunch when I am dead tired is a complete waste of time. Drink a cup of coffee, sleep for 15 minutes and you will be able to work much better. 15 minutes is nothing on a tired afternoon. Just cut out the HN afterwards and you don't even have to feel guilty if you do it on the clock. In fact you just gave your employer 3:45 hours of productive time instead of 4 hours of wasting your salary for him.
  - 15y ago
geogra4 15y ago
In my experience diet is WAY more important than exercise. I bike to work about 3 miles so I get some moderate exercise but not a great deal. What really changed my body is when I decided to go vegan. I eat far healthier than I ever have and literally feel like my body can breathe again. I recommend everyone try to get more vegetables and fewer animal products into their diets, even if they don't really want to make the commitment to veganism.
- fizx 15y ago
  Processed white flour has always been the worst for me.
  - geogra4 15y ago
    Definitely true that whole grains > processed flours. Oily and fried foods are also to be avoided where you can.
- wnight 15y ago
  I lost ~50kg over a few years from a plant-based diet and minimal exercise.
Hisoka 15y ago
Exercise is important, but I find the effects are way more beneficial when you do it early in morning as opposed to evening. It disrupts my sleep if I exercise too late
inspiredworlds 15y ago
Great post. Should be combined with healthy eating too! I can't exercise as much now because of health reasons, so I find that doing little things also helps like parking further away which forces me to walk more or taking low intensity exercises or group exercises which are more social as well.
robjohnson 15y ago
Very true. It is apparently clear when I let myself go even a couple of days without running. Well said.
saturdaysaint 15y ago
Exercise is one aspect of health - while it is indeed valuable, I do think that many people (especially obsessive/highly-driven people) over-emphasize it. Sleep, relaxation, proper diet, healthy relationships and mental health are all as important. Hyperfocusing on one aspect of a a complex art strikes me as unwise. Intense exercise has real negative side-effects. Cardio, prolonged weight-lifting, and lack of proper R & R all release cortisol, which is completely counter-productive to most people's exercise goals - http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cortisol.html http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cort.... I've seen intense exercise stimulate people's appetites to the point where they make shitty eating decisions completely counteracting any benefits. And just anecdotally, a lot of gym rats seem tired or unfocused to me. Heavy exercise can make blood-pressure unnaturally low, which can lead to poor concentration and depression. I'm in the best shape of my life and exercise is an enjoyable part of my life more than a "Priority". I do two or three intense strength exercises (I have pullup bar and a compact rack of adjustable dumb-bells in a spare room) while I wait for the bathtub to fill - enough to get my heartrate going and work up a little perspiration. I take long walks (barefoot, but that's an issue for another day) and/or rollerblade while I listen to podcasts or music. I try to eat a lot of vegetables and limit my portions of everything else. "Work smart, not hard", as in many things.

203 points by nedwin 15y ago

missy 15y ago

Tim Ferriss made some excellent observations and developed methods on how to optimise your time related to work and personal time. I ve tested several his hypothesis and they did have some impact on me. I just bought the 4 hour body and I can see this same thinking of his this " 80 / 20 " Paretos Law. I think if you can read both these books , snythesis Body and Lifestyle using his principle based on the 80 / 20 you will see great changes. Richard Branson is role model to many of us but he is very wealthy and as he mentions in the video that he has an Island that helps, Ferriss guide offers a perfect low cost alternative. Recommend !

seven_stones 15y ago
Hate to burst anyone's bubble but Tim Ferriss is selling snake oil. The 4 Hour Body is roundly and deservedly mocked on bodybuilding forums. Its claims are completely delusional. Among them: # How Tim gained 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, without steroids, and in four hours of total gym time # How to sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested # How to triple testosterone and double sperm count # How to go from running 5 kilometers to 50 kilometers in 12 weeks # How to reverse "permanent" injuries This kind of stuff only fools people who don't have prior information to compare it to. For example, the "incredibly high" level of testosterone he is talking about is in the 600 ng/dL range, which is a normal level. It is an expected number, and the variation he observes is completely within the range of natural fluctuations. Testosterone peaks and falls. It is also impossible to gain 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days with that level of testosterone. In fact, it would be impossible for anyone other than a professional bodybuilder coming back from a layoff (it's quicker to regain if you've already achieved it before) WITH high doses of anabolic agents including testosterone, pushing massive weights. (Injectable testosterone esters have long carbon tails which means the molecules take much longer to be broken down. This jacks up testosterone levels 24 hours a day, without the peak/fall of the normal cycle. This vastly increases the window for protein synthesis.) Just look at the claim: 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, which is over a pound a day, in less than 4 hours in the gym. This is almost 9 POUNDS OF MUSCLE per one hour of exercise. Completely ludicrous. Sleeping 2 hours a day? Sure. Forget 8-minute abs, we've got... 7 minute abs! Being able to run 30 miles after 3 months of training? Are we onto this BS yet? Those injuries you've got, they aren't "permanent"! Note the scare quotes. It's just in your head, and if you don't get these fantabulous results, it's your own fault. Lazy bum. There are similar problems with the 4-hour Workweek. Just look at all the publicity for it -- it was a CONSTANT media blitz where Ferriss was working around-the-clock to promote himself. And he's been doing that for a long time; his self-promotion is a full-time job in itself. It's the same old story with all the so-called financial gurus. They ALL get rich by selling you a book about how you can get rich quickly and with barely any work. Anyone who's ever done any programming or writing knows how little 4 hours is. As a weekly investment, that is NOT the path to mastery or startup success. You can't even be a successful snake-oil salesman with 4 hours per week, as evidenced by Ferriss himself. It takes lots of work and dedication.
- MaxGabriel 15y ago
  I don't think any of your arguments are very responsive to Ferris's reasoning. For example, that it's "ludicrous" for him to gain muscle with so little gym time is not responsive to the argument that not allowing muscles time to recover retards growth. Moreover, I think it's a misinterpretation to say that Tim is promising people, say, 2 hours of sleep per day by reading his book. His book is a documentation of experimentation by himself and others, and especially for sleep is partly theoretical. But his analysis on how to cut sleep time is still helpful, especially given the scheduling constraints Ferris recognizes for a 2 hour sleep schedule.
  - lsc 15y ago
    Ferris sounds like someone claiming they can sell you a part you can bolt-on to your engine to double your gas mileage. I mean, I don't think anything he said violates the laws of physics; It's possible, but it's so unlikely that without extraordinarily good evidence, I'm simply going to ignore the claim.
  - seven_stones 15y ago
    > is not responsive to the argument that not allowing muscles time to recover retards growth. That point isn't in dispute. What is in dispute is the degree of alleged growth. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. > and especially for sleep is partly theoretical Especially since he himself is nowhere close to the 2 hours claim. I heard someone else did this... > Moreover, I think it's a misinterpretation to say that Tim is promising people, say, 2 hours of sleep per day by reading his book. "YOU WILL LEARN (in less than 30 minutes each) # How to sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested" "From the gym to the bedroom, it's all here, and it all works." "You don't need better genetics or more discipline. You need immediate results that compel you to continue. That's exactly what The 4-Hour Body delivers." http://www.fourhourbody.com/ http://www.fourhourbody.com/ Praise quotes for the book, FROM the book: “Timothy has packed more lives into his 29 years than Steve Jobs has in his 51.” —Tom Foremski, journalist and publisher of SiliconValleyWatcher.com ...More lives? Remove the "v" and I'd agree. “Reading this book is like putting a few zeros on your income. Tim brings lifestyle to a new level—listen to him!” —Michael D. Kerlin, McKinsey & Company consultant to Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and a J. William Fulbright Scholar “Tim has done what most people only dream of doing. I can’t believe he is going to let his secrets out of the bag. This book is a must read!” —Stephen Key, top inventor and team designer of Teddy Ruxpin and Lazer Tag and a consultant to the television show American Inventor And the subtitle: "AN UNCOMMON GUIDE TO RAPID FAT-LOSS, INCREDIBLE SEX, AND BECOMING SUPERHUMAN" How much Kool-Aid does someone have to drink before they aren't embarrassed to buy into these breathless sensationalist claims?

michaelschade 15y ago

Agreed. I've also written about exercise and its benefits (or really, the benefits of exploring other areas of life that one might enjoy outside of work): http://mschade.me/be-a-better-entrepreneur-be-a-little-selfish http://mschade.me/be-a-better-entrepreneur-be-a-little-selfi...

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

jamongkad 15y ago

Agreed that is why I always walk to work and rarely bring my car.

chrchang 15y ago

Definitely agree, it's not just the health benefit of exercise but the attitude that comes with it. You become more energetic, proactive, etc. Such positive attitude will diffuse into the rest of your life!

tkiley 15y ago

This is one of the reasons our development team is located on Vancouver Island. We could have set up shop in the middle of Silicon Valley's startup culture, but instead, we set up shop in the middle of world-class mountain biking, hiking, surfing, rock climbing, and snowboarding. Collectively, our team gets no shortage of exercise! Incidentally, outdoor activities provide a great environment for generating creative solutions. We do some of our best problem-solving out past the break, or on the uphill side of a downhill ride.

Mc_Big_G 15y ago
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.
- sliverstorm 15y ago
  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)
  - lpolovets 15y ago
    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) www.bayareaskibus.com helps with the traffic. You pay a little extra and then don't have to worry about driving. You can use the 8 hour round-trip to sleep, read your Kindle, watch movies, etc. (I'm not affiliated w/them in any way, but I've used them ~15 times and am a happy customer.)
  - JeffL 15y ago
    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.

Swizec 15y ago

Exercising for 30 minutes every morning has certainly had a good impact on my life I think. And because I do it in the morning it means that no matter how poorly the day goes, at least I've managed to do something positive for myself. Conversely, though, I am very very grumpy when I don't get to exercise in the morning for whatever unavoidable circumstance.

karlzt 15y ago
Since blood pressure is higher in the morning, it's better to do exercise in the afternoon.
- lsc 15y ago
  According to the mayo clinic website[1] blood pressure actually peaks in the afternoon in healthy individuals. If your blood pressure peaks in the morning, they seem to be saying you may have a health issue. [1]http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00391 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00391

rodh257 15y ago

I currently work full time and do full time uni, so my time is stretched as far as it can go. I've sat down an analysed my productivity over the day and noted that from when I finish work at 5 or 6 until after I finish having dinner at around 8-8.30 I rarely get anything done, I try, but end up being distracted. So I decided to write that time off, and go do exercise to refresh myself for the late night stint. I always used the excuse that if I'm going to be up really late tonight working, how can I justify half an hour of exercise, but once you sit down and be honest with yourself you'll realize that you waste many half-hours being distracted/on HN/Facebook etc, and those half-hours don't have the benefits that exercise does.

skimbrel 15y ago

Concur. Walk to work instead of driving if you can, walk somewhere a little farther away for lunch, whatever it takes. Would that more of us spent even a fraction of the time we spend developing our minds on taking care of our bodies.

knodi 15y ago

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.

mathattack 15y ago
The beauty of jiu jitsu is you can visit new academies on business trips. It's a social sport.
dudurocha 15y ago
I'm taking classes too. And in the last couple weeks I've been off because off classes and overwork. Maan, this is bad. I need to get back. And about BJJ, I'm really enjoying it. Its wonderful how its making me more confident and active.
DTrejo 15y ago
Do you have any concerns about hurting your hands? (I'm guessing you are a developer). I'm interested in starting BJJ this summer.
- knodi 15y ago
  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.
  - DTrejo 15y ago
    I totally get that — just curious about what kind of precautions you take, or if you've had any issues / avoided any. Thanks!
    - knodi 15y ago
      Do yoga, lots of it. Like 30 minutes a day. Don't wear knee pads or ancle pads they will get you hurt more. Being flexible is the best way not to get hurt and just don't force anything just flow. Flowing will allow you to control the pace and allow you to tap early (and tap often). Also avoid rolling with meat-heads.

mannicken 15y ago

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 189cm which feels good. My new favorite exercise would be punching people who tell me to eat more in the face.

guard-of-terra 15y ago
I second that. I'd better read an article on "How to avoid exercising all together and still rock on" because I ming bogglingly hate the concept. I love doing things. I like climbing hills, swimming seas, walking cities. But I HATE HATE HATE just being in the room and doing funny things with my limbs until you die of boredom. Running is not okay also unless you're running from someone scary.
NickNative 15y ago
Dancing = exercising as far as I'm concerned. Walking too. Being jittery I'm not so sure.
Jem 15y ago
> 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?

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

mcantor 15y ago
Just FYI, on this site you reply by hitting the small "reply" link under someone's comment. It's all threaded.

inopinatus 15y ago

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I quit my job to launch a startup. If I'm feeling blocked, I can take the day off, go for a 200km bike ride, and reboot my brain in the mountains. And no-one call tell me not to (ok, except the wife). It's a potent combination of meditative thinking time, vitamin D, & suffering-induced endorphin high.

mathattack 15y ago

Great points. Lately I've been cramming workouts right before work or lunchtime. Lots of general health ane energy benefits. For boring married folks like me, I would add family time every day is important.

AndrewMoffat 15y ago

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 just can't measure up to. Maybe I'm delusional

cjus 15y ago
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.

slewis 15y ago

I have to add a second priority: get enough sleep. For me sleep is more important to my productivity than exercise (though of course exercise helps with sleep). I don't know if everyone is as dependent on a good night's sleep as I am, but I feel the effects of waking up even 30 minutes too early. Its like night and day (intended).

rkalla 15y ago
Couldn't click "Up" enough times on this. The difference in productivity between a day preceded by a good night's sleep and one where I stayed up late then got up early are probably 50-75% for me. Diet, exercise, weight loss, meditation, walking, music, etc. etc. etc... nothing has as much an effect on my mood and mental performance as sleep does. I can literally eat butter until my knees buckle and as long as I get a good night sleep I'm good to go the next day. I know none of this is cool like the people that are energized by a quick 13 mile run or 40 mile bike ride at lunch time... I'm not sure why I was dealt the hand of "sleep is the best thing ever", but I've learned to optimize for that and it has helped a lot.
- yzhengyu 15y ago
  I concur. If I don't get at least seven, eight hours of sleep the day before, I find myself staring at the screen blearily the next day (at work) or succumbing to a mid-day nap (if the next day isn't work day).
  - nasmorn 15y ago
    Funny, when I am tired I nap especially on work days. Playing in the park with my little girl tired is less enjoyable but sitting in front of the computer after lunch when I am dead tired is a complete waste of time. Drink a cup of coffee, sleep for 15 minutes and you will be able to work much better. 15 minutes is nothing on a tired afternoon. Just cut out the HN afterwards and you don't even have to feel guilty if you do it on the clock. In fact you just gave your employer 3:45 hours of productive time instead of 4 hours of wasting your salary for him.
- 15y ago

geogra4 15y ago

In my experience diet is WAY more important than exercise. I bike to work about 3 miles so I get some moderate exercise but not a great deal. What really changed my body is when I decided to go vegan. I eat far healthier than I ever have and literally feel like my body can breathe again. I recommend everyone try to get more vegetables and fewer animal products into their diets, even if they don't really want to make the commitment to veganism.

fizx 15y ago
Processed white flour has always been the worst for me.
- geogra4 15y ago
  Definitely true that whole grains > processed flours. Oily and fried foods are also to be avoided where you can.
wnight 15y ago
I lost ~50kg over a few years from a plant-based diet and minimal exercise.

Hisoka 15y ago

Exercise is important, but I find the effects are way more beneficial when you do it early in morning as opposed to evening. It disrupts my sleep if I exercise too late

inspiredworlds 15y ago

Great post. Should be combined with healthy eating too! I can't exercise as much now because of health reasons, so I find that doing little things also helps like parking further away which forces me to walk more or taking low intensity exercises or group exercises which are more social as well.

robjohnson 15y ago

Very true. It is apparently clear when I let myself go even a couple of days without running. Well said.

saturdaysaint 15y ago

Exercise is one aspect of health - while it is indeed valuable, I do think that many people (especially obsessive/highly-driven people) over-emphasize it. Sleep, relaxation, proper diet, healthy relationships and mental health are all as important. Hyperfocusing on one aspect of a a complex art strikes me as unwise. Intense exercise has real negative side-effects. Cardio, prolonged weight-lifting, and lack of proper R & R all release cortisol, which is completely counter-productive to most people's exercise goals - http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cortisol.html http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cort.... I've seen intense exercise stimulate people's appetites to the point where they make shitty eating decisions completely counteracting any benefits. And just anecdotally, a lot of gym rats seem tired or unfocused to me. Heavy exercise can make blood-pressure unnaturally low, which can lead to poor concentration and depression. I'm in the best shape of my life and exercise is an enjoyable part of my life more than a "Priority". I do two or three intense strength exercises (I have pullup bar and a compact rack of adjustable dumb-bells in a spare room) while I wait for the bathtub to fill - enough to get my heartrate going and work up a little perspiration. I take long walks (barefoot, but that's an issue for another day) and/or rollerblade while I listen to podcasts or music. I try to eat a lot of vegetables and limit my portions of everything else. "Work smart, not hard", as in many things.