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Hello comrades and welcome to the fourth improvement megathread of December! bonfire

Only 3 days until Xmas! I hope everybody is couchmaxxing and getting into the festive mood. kropotkin-big


As usual, some discussion ideas:

  • Do you want to share something you've done in the previous week? Everything counts, nothing is too small.
  • Do you have any goals or plans for next week?
  • Do you have any streaks? For example, "sober for one day." Feel free to post your streak every day in this thread.
  • If you don't have a continuous streak, did you manage to abstain from something for a day or more?
  • Did you come across some useful information or resource that might help others?

Take care sleepi

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[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 9 points 3 weeks ago
[-] anarchoilluminati@hexbear.net 5 points 3 weeks ago

Can you please add me? I need to work on improving myself too!

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Welcome onboard comrade! sicko-hexbear-crowd

Do you have some specific goals or just improvement in general? Feel free to share if you wish

[-] anarchoilluminati@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks, Comrade!

I want to read more and watch more films, intellectual growth basically, and I have some specific work/career goals I want to get started on this year too that I'll mostly keep to myself to avoid doxxing.

Although, I was mostly thinking that I need to get back to the gym and exercising generally. I know it's cliché to say around this time of the year and I meant to get started earlier this year but 2024 was a clusterfuck, shitshow from beginning to end for me, so 2025 it is. I haven't been a regular at a gym since before the pandemic began, so it's about time to take care of myself again. Time does not wait for us.

Good news is through my resolving all the shit of 2024, I set myself up for 2025 to theoretically be a pretty, damn good year.

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[-] SorosFootSoldier@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Me so I know when to pin these posts.

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago
[-] Mog_Pharou@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago
[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

Welcome to the based department based-department

We are happy to have you with us sicko-hexbear-crowd

[-] Aradina@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 weeks ago

Haven't posted in a while because I've been failing miserably lately. I'm at least still brushing my teeth though

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 7 points 3 weeks ago

Posting L's is encouraged in this thread, we all have them. The new year is around the corner, maybe a fresh start will help unity

[-] Aradina@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 weeks ago
[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

brushing your teeth is really important! it's even linked to better heart outcomes because you're reducing inflammation in your mouth and preventing it from reaching your blood.

good job!

[-] Ath3ro@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

Brushing teef is always good, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 7 points 3 weeks ago

I'm still in my couchmaxxing era. Still keeping up with my baseline healthy habits but not forcing anything. The improvement will continue in January sleepi

[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

Still keeping up with my baseline healthy habits

that's a solid W!

[-] homhom9000@hexbear.net 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I've completely fallen off of my running. Mostly because of the cold but also because I know I'll suck at it again before I can get back to where was. Other than that, my clothes are becoming slightly loose and I'm liking it.

[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

it's really tough when it's so cold and gets so dark i can see why the gym is popular in the winter.

congrsts on the non scale victory!

[-] Wmill@hexbear.net 5 points 3 weeks ago

@moonlake@hexbear.net started how not to diet and like 1/4 way through rat-salute already making notes on it like how I need to up my fiber and try cooking without oil

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Yooo that's awesome! The author also made a cookbook with the same name, you can download the pdf on Anna's Archive bunny-vibe

[-] Wmill@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

Hell yeah thanks for this, I'll check it out rat-salute-2

[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

getting proper amounts of fiber is a game changer for real. Just trying to hit high numbers without supplements practically forces you to eat more whole foods!

I try to eat as much avocado as I can afford it's the most delicious high fiber ingredient that goes with almost everything.

[-] blight@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

kids these days spending all their money on avocado smdh head

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[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Hello friends! Thank you for including me in this i'm excited to get hyped with you all!

Last week I stayed sober except for last night. I thought just going out and having one or two drinks would be safe since I have been doing really well generally. This was a mistake and i ended up drinking too much and feel like crap. So that's a lesson learned to me again (how many times do i gotta learn this) there is never enough and not sober me will make poor choices so better to just not put myself in that position.

I mostly didn't eat meat last week but did eat a little bit, cooking meals for others that include meat offers so much opportunity to nibble!

This week i'm not having any alcohol even on christmas.

I'm going to try to not eat meat. I'm going to get a bag of soy curls tomorrow and try to eat them wherever i'm tempted by the meat they are sooo good. More jackfruit sausages too even though they are super processed.

I have physical therapy this week so i'm hoping they give me some low impact exercises i can do to plump up my bottom!

edit: they stopped selling the soy curls. darthvader nooooo.gif

[-] Dimmer06@hexbear.net 5 points 3 weeks ago

I guess it's a little early but I'm gonna be cliche and make a New Year's resolution to start working out again. I had a really good calisthenics routine going for like six months before I met my girlfriend and it was the only thing sort of reigning in my drinking but it's been like a year and a half since I worked out and I'm kinda weak again and I'm starting to drink more so I think i need to start it back up.

I need to do a bunch of other adult stuff next year like figure out my 401k and go to the doctor and I want to read more too but exercising is my big goal.

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

It's not cliche, the new year is a great time to make a fresh start! I would also like to do calisthenics next year. What is your routine if you don't mind sharing? I've been doing the minimalist routine from r/bodyweightfitness and I like it solidarity

[-] Dimmer06@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

I don't remember what I did specifically but it was based off of the r/bodyweightfitness recommended routine. I think I cut it in two and alternated each part every other day with some slight modifications like adding a few exercises with dumbbells to train my arms better.

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[-] Ath3ro@hexbear.net 5 points 3 weeks ago

I’ve decided to help try and save more money next year. i’m going to try and start/finish all the different projects/interests/hobbies i’ve accumulated over the years

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

I think meal prep is a great way to save money. I eat a bunch of oats, rice, lentils, beans and chickpeas which is not only super healthy but also super cheap vegan-edge

What are some of your projects that you want to do?

[-] Ath3ro@hexbear.net 4 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah the bulk of my meals are cheap stuff but then i go to the grocery store and trying out the new vegan products they have which is where i feel like i spend a lot of my money at.

I’m gonna try to do what the other person said so this list might be long or short but just something for me to use a reference as well.

:

Tap for list

  • Wax some jacket, tarps and bags
  • Go through my book and movie backlog
  • Get back into fermenting
  • Start making my pantry staples like mayo and milk without having to spend money on the vegan versions
  • digitize my current book, music, and movie collections so i can distribute it to the masses
  • obtain the books, music, and movies i want so i can put them all on my server
  • Dive deeper into home servers so i can fully set mine up to do what i want
  • Get my other car back into good running condition so i can sell it
  • learn how to use my sewing machine for more than just patching stuff up
  • learn how to sashiko stitch
  • Get back into running and/or boxing
  • go camping more often
  • guerilla garden using some of my garden seeds

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

Those are some cool ass projects! I would love to get into fermentation and guerilla gardening one day

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[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

that's a good idea i should do an unfinished project inventory!

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[-] Grebgreb@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

i am making progress on music goals but am still fighting insecurity about not doing enough

unfortunately i have slacked on running a bit too much i think

[-] blight@hexbear.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

Big impulsivity brain kicked in and I’ve been playing a shitty Mobile Game™ for several days and nights, and basically ignoring everything else. There’s one stupid little achievement left that basically relies on luck.
negative

Cleaned the kitchen. Did laundry. Walks 4.5 days. Real food 4 days.

[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

that dopamine reward loop ooooh so good

good job with your self care!

[-] blight@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago
[-] MoonElf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

oh no i was just trying to empathize!! i spend WAY too much time on the little screen i think something I need to work on as well.

[-] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

Making good progress outlining a creative project

My characters are getting actual names instead of just "the (trait/personality) one" and I have a sense of the way they talk with each other and "oh, (character) would totally do this in (situation)"

I need to be more disciplined about sitting down and actually working out a rough draft

Have two working titles in mind too

[-] kittin@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

Successes

  • got new psych and new prescription of adhd pills which is A MAJOR BOOST and a win worth celebrating
  • achieved social goal of spending time with friends outside of gf & family
  • fitness goals about 70% met which is good
  • weight goal unexpectedly achieved despite Xmas feasting (not a priority since actual weight isn’t important but more how I feel about myself)

Yet to achieve

  • still have not joined a gym for a rowing machine. I hereby commit to signing up and having my first session BEFORE OR ON Dec 31st to technically avoid being a new year gym bro
  • strength training schedule completely disrupted, I need to find a method of being regular with this. Any tips? I feel like the only way I can keep to a schedule is to do it daily since having rest days means I just lose track and forget, but I can’t do it daily because I’m an elder millennial and my chest gets hurty

Ideas for next month

  • a friend who is like 10 years older than me and is in GREAT shape recently got his testosterone checked and he was very low and is recommending getting checked since it’s an easy win for health, fitness, well being, sexual function, etc, so I should do that because I’m at the age where I have a bad knee fuck you zoomers
[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

Checking testosterone is a great idea, make sure to get results for "free testosterone count" and "free testosterone percentage" and SHBG along with testosterone levels since those are all important markers to see the full picture. I also recommend checking your vitamin D levels since it's the most common deficiency and low vit D can cause low testosterone solidarity

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[-] blight@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

Bonus: I’ve realized that my snout can’t keep up with all the sugary christmas treats I’m slurping up. I need to be more deliberate about what and when I eat.

[-] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

preening, fitnessHit the gym everyday now since November 11th

Down 4 notches on my belt, weigh less now than I probably have in a decade

Hit full stack sets on standing hip adductor machine for the first time

Hit 4x bodyweight leg press reps, want to hit 5x next year and 3x bodyweight squat and dragon squats

arm-Lsicko-femarm-R

Feeling pretty good about my appearance improving, feeling burned out mentally and haven't been getting enough rest

catgirl-flop

self crit, nicotine/alcohol

Relapse on cigs and boozekiryu-pain xi-lib-tears

Gonna try kicking both for New Year's

[-] moonlake@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

Gonna try kicking both for New Year's

You got this solidarity

Keep us updated on your progress!

[-] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 2 points 2 weeks ago

update, family shitGot in an ugly yelling argument with my dad and got a box of wine and smokes pain partiotism

still planning on quitting for New Year's but stumbled again

At least it wasn't with spirits this time

[-] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

preening gym pic

🎶Call me Tony Hawk hitting 900🎶

🎶Yung based Oaf legs made of thunder🎶

🎶No half rep shit, lengthened partials only🎶

🎶Thanked the based god then my legs got all hurty🎶

erm-this-you lady-doge

[-] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 2 points 3 weeks ago

(yes those are 2 and 3 pound dumbbells on the top of the sled lol, the sled empty is 118lbs and I'm real spectrumy about exact weights, used 25s and 2.5s for this to get it right and got a couple funny looks but they quickly turned into bewildered looks of approval when I hit the last rep of the set and got below 45 on a lengthened partial and got it back up and let out a ugly unconscious grunt and hit the stops for dear life)

((The leg press is rage, without mercy, but you? You will be worse... Rip and tear. Until it is done.))

arm-L hail-seitanarm-R

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this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2024
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Self Improvement

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A community which focusses on improving yourself. This can be in many different ways - from improving physical health or appearance, to improving mental health, creating better habits, overcoming addictions, etc.

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