Self Improvement
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.
While material circumstances beyond our control do govern much of our daily lives, people do have agency and choices to make, whether that is as "simple" as disciplining yourself to not doomscroll, to as complex as recreating yourself to have many different hobbies and habits.
This is not a place where all we do is talk about improving "productivity" (in a workplace context) and similar terms and harmful lifestyles like "grindset". Self-improvement here is intended to make you a generally better and happier person, as well as a better communist, and any other roles you may have in your life.
Rules and guidelines:
- Posts should be about self-improvement. This is obviously a wide category, and can range from advice, to finding resources, to self-posts about needing to improve in a certain area, or how you have improved, and many other things.
- Use content warnings when discussing difficult subjects.
- Do not make medical decisions solely because of a discussion you have had with any person here (e.g. whether to take or not take medications; diagnoses; etc.) as we do not vet people. All medical problems should be discussed with a real-life medical professional.
- Do not post harmful advice here. If this is seen, then please report it and we shall remove it. If you are unsure about whether it's precisely harmful advice or not but feel uneasy about it, please report it anyway.
- Do not insult other users and their lifestyles or their habits (unless they ask, I suppose). This is a place for self-improvement. Critique and discussion about a course of action is encouraged over shit-flinging. Don't talk down to people.
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It was useful for me when I first started to use an app.
On Android, I've used Progression and Strong, but anything works, even pen and paper. I just found the apps more useful because they have built in programs, instructions with visuals and videos, and previous history. Also, I felt like I blended in more just alternating between looking at my phone and lifting, like a pro, no awkward staring at the equipment and wondering.
Additionally I spent some time before starting any new program or exercise to watch videos on them to know how to do them correctly and safely. Jeremy Ethier on YouTube was whom I watched mostly.
As for programs, 5x5 was decent as a start to gain strength and confidence. Then you can explore more complicated ones after you get a hang of it. 3 days a week with at least a day in between is good enough IMO, and I still stick to it after many years.
Feeling sore is normal. Just don't work out a sore muscle. Give it at least a day of rest. Also, don't overdo it. There's nothing wrong with lower weights and less reps when you are tired. Pay attention to your muscles, feel them working and listen when they scream at you to stop for the day. You always have next week to get back to it.
Things will take time. Follow through, and follow up with your diet and healthy habits. You'll see improvement after a few weeks/months, and within a year you may look and feel like a different person. I remember crying in the shower the first time I noticed my muscles and actually felt strong for once in my life. Good luck, and I hope you have a similar experience!
thank you so much!