We've all seen them on the bookshelves, books by self-help authors with eye catching titles, suggesting how they can remake your life for the better. Journaling, affirmations, subliminal recordings etc. all promise to hold the key to a better life for us all - and they can! But there are 2 things about all of these trendy ideas the self-help authors rarely discuss: 1. They take persistence 2. They take a long time before you see results.
18 months ago I had 2 goals. 1. Lose weight 2. Become better at chess. After using some of these ideas for the past year and a half, carefully record keeping the results are in:
1. Lost 17 pounds
2. Rating up about 200 points - even after a prolonged slump.
Successful - yes, but not the life changing transformation that many authors claim. Remaking ourselves is hard work, and often full of obstacles to overcome; it can be done, but don't expect it to happen overnight.
@mchill saidA book titled "How to change yourself, gradually, over time, through lots of work and effort" will not sell much.
We've all seen them on the bookshelves, books by self-help authors with eye catching titles, suggesting how they can remake your life for the better. Journaling, affirmations, subliminal recordings etc. all promise to hold the key to a better life for us all - and they can! But there are 2 things about all of these trendy ideas the self-help authors rarely discuss: 1. They tak ...[text shortened]... k, and often full of obstacles to overcome; it can be done, but don't expect it to happen overnight.
You mentioned losing weight; how many weight-loss programs claim "lose x amount of weight in only x amount of days"? Or "get in shape working only these amount of minutes each day"?
Quick results with little effort is more attractive than the truth of your post.
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@vivify saidNothing “hard” is easy.
A book titled "How to change yourself, gradually, over time, through lots of work and effort" will not sell much.
You mentioned losing weight; how many weight-loss programs claim "lose x amount of weight in only x amount of days"? Or "get in shape working only these amount of minutes each day"?
Quick results with little effort is more attractive than the truth of your post.
I think a big problem is how people chose to measure success. It's too easy to get caught up in long term goals or preferred futures and beat yourself up because your present doesn't compare to your goals and your goals seem unattainable, so what's the point?
Personally I think the trick is to live well now. For example, if you apply that to weight and diet; if I live well today then I know I am doing everything possible to help things be at their best in the future. So just focus on will I eat well today and will I do a bit of exercise today. Learn what is needed to get that right for today and to master your genetic predisposition for today, and you are already succeeding. You don't need to be measured against an imagined future goal.
If I have the worst possible thought about myself and my circumstances then that was just a thought. Already I can have another thought which can be a different thought.
@mchill
Losing 17 pounds in a year is very good if your body type has trouble losing weight.
Most fat people would be extremely happy with that weight loss.
@the-gravedigger saidLOL@ t-g, but good point just the same! 🙂
If you start out at 185lbs and lose 17lbs thats pretty good.
But if you started at 500lbs probably means you just took a dump.
-VR
@the-gravedigger said😄
If you start out at 185lbs and lose 17lbs thats pretty good.
But if you started at 500lbs probably means you just took a dump.
@Contenchess
What do you weigh when you are competing in arm wrestling. Does extra weight help or are you better off being slimmer?
What do you bench press?
-VR
@Very-Rusty
Arm wrestling has weight classes so it's up to each person where they want to compete.
I can be 270 if I want but my health problems (high blood pressure/brain problem)...suggest I will go down to 220 pounds.
The bigger heavier guys get way more publicity just like in fight sports.
Arm wrestling and Bench Pressing are apples and oranges. One has nothing to do with the other. I don't lift weights so I don't know.
Pull ups is what makes a good Arm wrestler.
Not the wide pull ups...AW pull ups have your hands in close.
Arm wrestling is about pulling your opponents Arm.
When I was young and lifted weights I did bench press 385 which is nothing and not worth talking about.
@Very-Rusty
Do not make this thread about arm wrestling Rusty 🤨
I will not post again about AW.
@contenchess saidYes, You're right to do so. I told you about one of my younger brothers arm wrestling and he did a lot of bench pressing, he claimed it helped his arm-wrestling especially with the technique he had learned. He was around 200-220 at the time and only 16 years old. Beat his teacher who had been the champion for 5 years running at his school. The teacher was also the Phys-Ed teacher.
@Very-Rusty
Do not make this thread about arm wrestling Rusty 🤨
I will not post again about AW.
Yes, God forbid we get off topic, as it never happens! Have a quick look at my "Did you know" thread and a bunch of others, just see how long a thread stays on Topic. I am not saying you're wrong either. Just look at the history and it will tell you the story.
-VR