Self Improvement
- Thread starter Earth
- 213 comments
- 16,364 views
- 15,889
- wrexham
- jameskent86451
- Jamobomb86
Ive been looking for work all year after being let go by a department store over christmas..its been tough but ive finally got some work through an agency..did my first day there yesterday working in a warehouse..and im also there tuesday and wednesday..its not much but at least ive got my foot in the door..
- 4,687
- Golden State
- xViLLaiNx12
Ok so i tried the 5 hours a day routine for 3 days and ended up crashing and burning, it was way too much on about 4-5 hours sleep a night so I've just increased my weights again for the time being, i achieved one pull up yesterday, yay
Sorry I'm just barely into the thread, but I might be able to help you a bit getting started with a fitness program (it's what I do when I'm not a student).
Just some starter info:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Injuries/Limitations:
Access to facilities, equipment:
Time available to train:
Nutrition:
You can send that to me in a PM if you want.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
No Alcohol: DAY 100
Well, never thought I'd get this far. If I'm honest... In that 100 days I've had 1 small glass of champagne for promotion, and a lager shandy on my Mum's birthday.
Now, I could just do with going to the Doc's to see if the Depression, Anxiety and Fatigue are related to alcohol withdrawal (still???), or they're just the same things that encouraged me to start drinking heavily in the first place over a decade ago.
Anyway, the conclusion after having spent 100 days not drinking in the self-improvement thread.... is that I'm not really sure if I've improved myself at all in doing it.
Well, never thought I'd get this far. If I'm honest... In that 100 days I've had 1 small glass of champagne for promotion, and a lager shandy on my Mum's birthday.
Now, I could just do with going to the Doc's to see if the Depression, Anxiety and Fatigue are related to alcohol withdrawal (still???), or they're just the same things that encouraged me to start drinking heavily in the first place over a decade ago.
Anyway, the conclusion after having spent 100 days not drinking in the self-improvement thread.... is that I'm not really sure if I've improved myself at all in doing it.
- 30,019
- Thailand
Matski, I am so impressed.
I've not done as well as you have. I've had a few mishaps, mainly due to 3 friends departing on the same day, I had one last knees-up with them as a send off but it put down for the last 4 days. Massive mental issues.
With regards to your doctor, perhaps you could suggest citilopram or de-antics and ask about getting some of that? It's a fairly mild anti-depressive/ anxiety pill if taken in small doses once a day. I was on it a few years ago and it helped somewhat with my anxiety. I guess it could be related to the alcohol withdrawal, but I'm no expert.
Myself I now find drink to be 10 times as debilitating as it was when I was a complete drunk. The few heavy sessions I have had since giving up (yeah, I'm still struggling to get 100% t-total) have lead me to being the worst drunk ever and the hangover effects (mild depression, anxiety, general crappy feeling) have lasted for up to a week afterwards.
Anyway, glad to hear you've gone so far. I'll have a Coke to celebrate your success.
I've not done as well as you have. I've had a few mishaps, mainly due to 3 friends departing on the same day, I had one last knees-up with them as a send off but it put down for the last 4 days. Massive mental issues.
With regards to your doctor, perhaps you could suggest citilopram or de-antics and ask about getting some of that? It's a fairly mild anti-depressive/ anxiety pill if taken in small doses once a day. I was on it a few years ago and it helped somewhat with my anxiety. I guess it could be related to the alcohol withdrawal, but I'm no expert.
Myself I now find drink to be 10 times as debilitating as it was when I was a complete drunk. The few heavy sessions I have had since giving up (yeah, I'm still struggling to get 100% t-total) have lead me to being the worst drunk ever and the hangover effects (mild depression, anxiety, general crappy feeling) have lasted for up to a week afterwards.
Anyway, glad to hear you've gone so far. I'll have a Coke to celebrate your success.
Have you lost weight? Are you able to think a bit faster on your own? You don't have any issues with mobility?
Sometimes, the improvements are there, just that they are required to been seen from someone else first before you know about it. Relatives may see a behaviour change from you, physical changes or just something that is different with you.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
Thanks, I need to do something about it, my current mindset is more detremental to my daily life than drinking ever was!
Matski, I am so impressed.
I've not done as well as you have. I've had a few mishaps, mainly due to 3 friends departing on the same day, I had one last knees-up with them as a send off but it put down for the last 4 days. Massive mental issues.
With regards to your doctor, perhaps you could suggest citilopram or de-antics and ask about getting some of that? It's a fairly mild anti-depressive/ anxiety pill if taken in small doses once a day. I was on it a few years ago and it helped somewhat with my anxiety. I guess it could be related to the alcohol withdrawal, but I'm no expert.
Myself I now find drink to be 10 times as debilitating as it was when I was a complete drunk. The few heavy sessions I have had since giving up (yeah, I'm still struggling to get 100% t-total) have lead me to being the worst drunk ever and the hangover effects (mild depression, anxiety, general crappy feeling) have lasted for up to a week afterwards.
Anyway, glad to hear you've gone so far. I'll have a Coke to celebrate your success.
Cheers Shem, I did Citalopram a long time ago - not long after I'd started drinking, but didn't find it to be effective at all - probably because of the alcohol, in the end the Doc took me off any meds and told me to go to CBT, great I though.. learn to ride a motorbike
- but he meant Therapy - which I never did, I still don't want to do.Anyhow, you enjoy that coke
Went from 14st to 12.5st, although I'm either doing weights or cardio virtually every night, I'm also eating much more healthily and regularly now. Cutting out the empty calories in drink will have helped, but also the lifestyle change.
My family do seem to think my character has much improved in general, although most people have also noted that alot of the time I look like a zombie hobo.
Anyway, thanks for the support
- 5,209
- Nicest part of hell
@ cphbullet
5 hours of exercise a day is beyond excessive, you'll burn yourself out in no time at all because your body will have troubles to replenish the tons of vital nutrients and vitamins it loses every day during your workout, let alone regeneration.
I've been exercising for years now and I considered myself as fit and muscular as possible without cheating with roids etc. and I tell you I'd not survive a 5 hour / day cardio + strength training exercise routine for long.
Keep your workout short (1.5-max 2 hours) and intense with very little consistent rest between the sets (3-5 minutes) and you'll see results in no time at all. Dont split your weight training!
And do (moderate) cardio only on rest days because it definitely interferes with your strength training and it will slow down your progress.
5 hours of exercise a day is beyond excessive, you'll burn yourself out in no time at all because your body will have troubles to replenish the tons of vital nutrients and vitamins it loses every day during your workout, let alone regeneration.
I've been exercising for years now and I considered myself as fit and muscular as possible without cheating with roids etc. and I tell you I'd not survive a 5 hour / day cardio + strength training exercise routine for long.
Keep your workout short (1.5-max 2 hours) and intense with very little consistent rest between the sets (3-5 minutes) and you'll see results in no time at all. Dont split your weight training!
And do (moderate) cardio only on rest days because it definitely interferes with your strength training and it will slow down your progress.
- 7,436
- Canada
- photonrider
That's usually par for the course. My Dad looked liked that when he first stopped drinking. As the years went by and he stayed off the stuff he seemed to become a totally different person - alert, more healthier, clear-minded, vastly more reasonable - and he smelled a lot better - since he always smelled of alcohol before. He stayed sober for 27 years before he passed - and I still can't get over what amazing will power he would have had to do that.
They don't call this stuff 'spirits' for nothing.
Once again - complimenting you on your progress - and a special pat on the back for the advice you give the younger folk who think that excessive drinking is cooler than being the best they can be. 👍
Get a happy massage.
All the stress will "melt" away.
Watching this table tennis competition in China, its crazy how fit and fast they are! And this is only the women's game, can't imagine what it'll be like with the mens!
Masti, it sounds like you're adjusting fairly well to the changes. I'm quite sure a "zombie hobo" is par for the course as your brain is likely going: "well son, I'm out of ideas here...." until you have a re-adjustment period to something better.
All the stress will "melt" away.
Watching this table tennis competition in China, its crazy how fit and fast they are! And this is only the women's game, can't imagine what it'll be like with the mens!
Masti, it sounds like you're adjusting fairly well to the changes. I'm quite sure a "zombie hobo" is par for the course as your brain is likely going: "well son, I'm out of ideas here...." until you have a re-adjustment period to something better.
- 15,855
- QLD, Australia
- Small_Fryz
Stress related?
Maybe trying to find out what part of your life is such a concern and then take a few steps back and put things into perspective or put a plan in place to overcome the issues. I find that while you might not be able to solve the issue overnight the fact you are working towards a solution can greatly diminish the stress and allow you to enjoy life again.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
No Alcohol, Not any more
Woomph, there it is..
So the christmas frivolity ensued tonight, work christmas dinner. It was only ever going to go one of two ways.. I don't really need to justify it to myself, I got &%@!in' twatted... Shorts, Lager, Cocktails, Beer, Champagne, wine, Malibu(?), you $%*@in' know's it.... off the chain.
How do I feel now... well, I don't know.. It's gone midnight, so I can't get anymore booze... but I feel raw, kind of animal... grrr...
I'm f%^&in p%$£ed right now.. so I might be talking $$^$£"!¬ but at this stage, I think I won't have a problem tomorrow.
I know who I am, I don't like it, but it seems I am no longer under the control of the demon drink, I have faced the demons that haunt me, it ain't Graceland, but it seems I can get by.
Peace,
Out.
Woomph, there it is..
So the christmas frivolity ensued tonight, work christmas dinner. It was only ever going to go one of two ways.. I don't really need to justify it to myself, I got &%@!in' twatted... Shorts, Lager, Cocktails, Beer, Champagne, wine, Malibu(?), you $%*@in' know's it.... off the chain.
How do I feel now... well, I don't know.. It's gone midnight, so I can't get anymore booze... but I feel raw, kind of animal... grrr...
I'm f%^&in p%$£ed right now.. so I might be talking $$^$£"!¬ but at this stage, I think I won't have a problem tomorrow.
I know who I am, I don't like it, but it seems I am no longer under the control of the demon drink, I have faced the demons that haunt me, it ain't Graceland, but it seems I can get by.
Peace,
Out.
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- 7,436
- Canada
- photonrider
Not a big fall, Matski - just a 'slip' as they term it in AA. To have kept that demon of craving at bay for a hundred days was epic. Look at how much your life changed for the better - as recorded by you in here, over that period.
Every time you give in, and experience how that illusive pleasure is merely an obsession implanted in your axonic pathways, and beat it the next day, you get stronger. This is a difficult period - the time of merriment and good cheer - and some people don't really understand how poisonous excess alcohol is; they'd say - "Oh! C'mon, have a little drink, don't be a wet blanket, etc, etc . . ." putting you in a position of seeming wimpyness for not having that drink. No. By refusing, you are the stronger one.
Give them the kind of enigmatic smile that says "You are the guys without will-power - you don't like yourselves sober. I can't stand myself drunk."
In the end - your life is your own. You must do what you want to/have to, do.
I live by two laws that have helped me tremendously:
Law #1 : Do not distress yourself.
Law #2 : Do not distress others.
In reasonable society, that most often works for me. 👍
Good Luck, and all the best in your efforts.
Every time you give in, and experience how that illusive pleasure is merely an obsession implanted in your axonic pathways, and beat it the next day, you get stronger. This is a difficult period - the time of merriment and good cheer - and some people don't really understand how poisonous excess alcohol is; they'd say - "Oh! C'mon, have a little drink, don't be a wet blanket, etc, etc . . ." putting you in a position of seeming wimpyness for not having that drink. No. By refusing, you are the stronger one.
Give them the kind of enigmatic smile that says "You are the guys without will-power - you don't like yourselves sober. I can't stand myself drunk."
In the end - your life is your own. You must do what you want to/have to, do.
I live by two laws that have helped me tremendously:
Law #1 : Do not distress yourself.
Law #2 : Do not distress others.
In reasonable society, that most often works for me.
👍Good Luck, and all the best in your efforts.
- 4,687
- Golden State
- xViLLaiNx12
Great article on self-improvement for you gents who are seeking it:
(LANGUAGE WARNGING)
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/
Don't let the tone of the article distract you from what it's really trying to tell you.
(LANGUAGE WARNGING)
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/
Don't let the tone of the article distract you from what it's really trying to tell you.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
^ that is a great article... and for most people looking outwardly for help it's a strong message, it kind of under-estimates the minds power to combat self-motivation though.
.. also I love that speech from Glengarry Glen Ross.
edit: Having said that, I pretty much had a melt down on Christmas eve because some wrapping paper wouldn't fold neatly, the only time that's ever happened to me before was during my heavy drinking, anti-depressants and self harming stage. I've done as much as I think I can in the last half of 2012 to try and focus on the mind, body and soul... I ended my 10 year alcohol binge, got fit, worked out and ate right, moved to a nicer place, got a promotion, bought a sensible car and all that rubbish, even accepted that religion may have value... but the flip-side of that is a permanent desperate fear, an anxiety that is leaving me physically exhausted all of the time.. I've become completely useless at even the simplest of tasks, my mind has maxed out, so, I think the responsible thing to do now is do something that I swore I'd never ever do again after the first time... ask the Doc's for help. Really don't want to substitute alcohol for pills but I think I need to do something.
.. also I love that speech from Glengarry Glen Ross.
edit: Having said that, I pretty much had a melt down on Christmas eve because some wrapping paper wouldn't fold neatly, the only time that's ever happened to me before was during my heavy drinking, anti-depressants and self harming stage. I've done as much as I think I can in the last half of 2012 to try and focus on the mind, body and soul... I ended my 10 year alcohol binge, got fit, worked out and ate right, moved to a nicer place, got a promotion, bought a sensible car and all that rubbish, even accepted that religion may have value... but the flip-side of that is a permanent desperate fear, an anxiety that is leaving me physically exhausted all of the time.. I've become completely useless at even the simplest of tasks, my mind has maxed out, so, I think the responsible thing to do now is do something that I swore I'd never ever do again after the first time... ask the Doc's for help. Really don't want to substitute alcohol for pills but I think I need to do something.
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- 4,687
- Golden State
- xViLLaiNx12
This is a really cheesy quote, but it definitely helps me along when I'm trying to accomplish long-term goals. "Instead of worrying about how much further you need to go, be proud of how far you've come."
Obviously, that quote isn't meant to convince you on how to be complacent, but I think it's important to stop at certain points and think back to how bad things used to be in comparison to what the situation is currently. Then, hopefully, that can refresh your vigor and help you continue.
As a concrete solution to what you said specifically - seeing a professional doesn't always mean getting pills. I wouldn't worry too much about asking the Doctor for help - and when you do, I suggest that you make it clear to him/her that you want to avoid prescriptions if at all possible.
It's natural for lifestyle changes to take some time to fully adjust to, perhaps you're just experiencing some growing pains.
Obviously, that quote isn't meant to convince you on how to be complacent, but I think it's important to stop at certain points and think back to how bad things used to be in comparison to what the situation is currently. Then, hopefully, that can refresh your vigor and help you continue.
As a concrete solution to what you said specifically - seeing a professional doesn't always mean getting pills. I wouldn't worry too much about asking the Doctor for help - and when you do, I suggest that you make it clear to him/her that you want to avoid prescriptions if at all possible.
It's natural for lifestyle changes to take some time to fully adjust to, perhaps you're just experiencing some growing pains.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
Yep, finally went to the docs, had a chat... man did it take the wind out of his sails when I said I'd quite drinking months ago. To be honest, I'm never going to handle therapy well, so pills it is... I guess we'll see if it counts as self improvement or not in a few weeks time, and I guess we'll see which is worse, the symptoms, or the side effects --- time to get numb.
- 17,248
- United Kingdom
^ I wish he'd shut up for once...
Sertraline seems to be having a minor affect...
.. However, for the first time since August last year, for no real reason, I'm going to get twisted drunk...(as in I'm not realy getting trollied for any reason) really feel like I need to, nothing sinister... I've started a bottle of Southern Comfort, I've had 1 (ample) measure so far and I'm uncontrollably happy.. NOW I remember why I took up drinking....
/thread-hogging and thread-revival
Sertraline seems to be having a minor affect...
.. However, for the first time since August last year, for no real reason, I'm going to get twisted drunk...(as in I'm not realy getting trollied for any reason) really feel like I need to, nothing sinister... I've started a bottle of Southern Comfort, I've had 1 (ample) measure so far and I'm uncontrollably happy.. NOW I remember why I took up drinking....
/thread-hogging and thread-revival
Going to revive this thread instead of making a new one. This thread seems to be appropriate for this post.
Yesterday evening, after many, many years, I started with Tai Chi Chuan / Qi gong (Chi Kung) again. I'm so pleased to start practicing this Chinese art again. Luckily for me, this teacher (older guy) had the opportunity to practice with a Chinese master Liu Chu Lai. He also has the oppotunity to train with a Vietnamese master.
Yesterday evening, after many, many years, I started with Tai Chi Chuan / Qi gong (Chi Kung) again. I'm so pleased to start practicing this Chinese art again. Luckily for me, this teacher (older guy) had the opportunity to practice with a Chinese master Liu Chu Lai. He also has the oppotunity to train with a Vietnamese master.
- 2,308
- United States
- monkeylima
To run a sub 10 minute in the 3200m race
- 4,148
- United States
I got a high score in piano tiles.
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