[gringoed]

A big fundamental of the PUA movement and this forum is self-improvement. The best way to get and keep quality girls is not to deceive them, but to legitimately increase your value.

Many studies and self-improvement experts say that it takes around 30 days to begin forming a habit. Meaning, if you do (or don't do) something for 30 days, your body adjusts to it and it starts to become an unconscious rhythm to your life.

I've done several month-long lifestyle experiments in the past and overall they've been great for finding out what works for me and makes MY life better.

Here are some that I've done:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Raw Foodist (freakin' hard)
Slow carb diet
Media fasting
Various exercise habits
Daily language learning
No nail biting


I started this thread to see if anybody else wants to try a 30 day challenge and post your results. It can be anything related to girls, finance, habits, hygiene, exercise, sleep, diet, skill acquisition, whatever.

A good time to start is on the first of the month, which is when I'll be doing my next one. Any other takers?

[mangadooza]

What have your findings been with respect to the diet related ones?

I plan on starting one as well for learning Russian.

[gringoed]

I went to a liberal arts college so many of my friends are "progressives" and "hippies" who kept saying how being vegetarian makes them feel healthier. So I decided to try it.

Most of my meat consumption is healthy meats such as skinless chicken breasts, so it's not like I was going from Big Macs. It was easy because I could easily get fat and high quality protein from things like eggs and dairy. At the end, I didn't feel significantly different in terms of health/energy/mental clarity/etc. Conclusion: the only reason to go veg is for ethical reasons or possibly longevity.

Several of my friends then convinced me to go vegan for a month, as for them if it comes from an animal it's all the same. Being vegan was very difficult, especially on the road when you're relying on prepared foods and restaurants. Almost no frozen meals have no dairy or eggs. Even veggie burgers! Without time to prepare food or consistent access to a kitchen, I ended up eating lots of side salads, french fries, and tons of nuts for fat and protein. Felt worse. Conclusion: only for the seriously snobby or you have lots of time to prepare your own food. Also, it's expensive to make tasty meals completely vegan.

After that, I went raw foodist intending to go a month but only lasted a week. Seriously difficult even when taking time to prepare your meals. To do it right you need to do a lot of produce shopping, blending, and soaking. Both of my raw foodist friends claim to have an amazing burst of energy (google agrees) after eating only raw food for a while. I, however, felt horrible and acquired a strange temporary obsession with fried chicken that kept me up at night. This diet makes it very very hard to consume protein. I'm convinced that cooking food does far more good than harm. Not recommended to anybody.

Slow carb dieting, on the other hand, is pretty easy with good results. Tim Ferriss has posted about this, which is how I followed it. For those not familiar, it's basically meat, veggies, and legumes. After 30 days I lost about 4 pounds of fat while maintaining my muscle for the most part. That 4 pounds of fat doesn't sound like much, but that lowered my body fat percentage about 3% which is pretty significant for only 30 days. The visual change in my body composition was pretty obvious. After 30 days I tried stretching the rules a bit to make it easier, such as by eating double-fiber bread instead of beans. Mistake. Follow Tim's plan to the T. Here are some more tips for anybody trying it that I've discovered along the way (I'm still doing this diet fairly consistently, by the way). Highly recommend this diet.

1. Give yourself the cheat day, trust me it makes it a lot easier.
2. Fast food salads at McDonalds and Wendys are perfect when on the road. However, there are no fast food breakfast options.
3. Even though nuts are allowed, don't eat too many of them.
4. Fried food is ok, except when it has breading on it.
5. Don't eat too many beans right before sleeping with a girl!

[mangadooza]

Solid post, thanks.

What are your goals in terms of physique right now? As a lean guy (10% BF, 6'2, 195 lb) without much muscle, I'm considering the ROI on adding 20-30 pounds of muscle.

But with varying perceptions of the ideal male body across different countries and the difficulty of maintaining a rigorous work-out program while traveling, I'm not sure. The "jacked" body seems to occupy a particularly high position in the States and Brazil but not many other places.

[Caramel Communist]

I'm thinking of doing a 30 day fast....only allowed to consume water, tea...

I used to cycle on and off 2-3 week fast and even a month and I felt great. Once your broke that threshold and your body learned to control the blood sugar levels I had more energy and felt like a completely different person.

[nomis69]

I'm nearing the end of my 30 day Bikram Yoga challange, today will be day 25.

Tha fatigue started to kick in about 5 days ago, i also had a runny nose for 4 days, could have been the detox symptoms.

Althought the Yoga itself is a challange because it involves pulling, stretching, strength, and balancing all in each pose simultaneously, nothing compares to the mental side of things, you really learn to "still" the mind which is the most powerful tool the human body has.

[mangadooza]

(08-18-2010 08:44 PM)nomis69 Wrote:  

I'm nearing the end of my 30 day Bikram Yoga challange, today will be day 25.

Tha fatigue started to kick in about 5 days ago, i also had a runny nose for 4 days, could have been the detox symptoms.

Althought the Yoga itself is a challange because it involves pulling, stretching, strength, and balancing all in each pose simultaneously, nothing compares to the mental side of things, you really learn to "still" the mind which is the most powerful tool the human body has.

What's the male/female ratio like? You get the chance to game any of the hotties in the class?

[nomis69]

I think generally 20% male, but that might vary to individual studios and countries.

In class everyone is in Yoga mode so there is no socializing or talking.

Although my eyes do tend to drift and i spot the odd panty, camel toe, cleavage and nipples thru sports singlets.

After class would be ideal to strike up a conversation, obviously started off by "how was your class" and jokes about the "heat" in the room.

[gringoed]

This sounds interesting, although 30 days of fasting sounds really extreme! After how many days do you start feeling good? I'd imagine it's really uncomfortable while you're doing it, do you continue to feel good after the fast is over?

(08-18-2010 05:03 PM)Caramel Communist Wrote:  

I'm thinking of doing a 30 day fast....only allowed to consume water, tea...

I used to cycle on and off 2-3 week fast and even a month and I felt great. Once your broke that threshold and your body learned to control the blood sugar levels I had more energy and felt like a completely different person.

[Kona]

Mine is a little longer than 30 days, it's an 85 or so day plan.

I'm going to qualify for a Vans Triple Crown of Surfing event this coming season. I've tried a few times in my younger days, but never made it. A lot of the guys out there are better surfers than me, but that's not why I missed. I think I was too cocky, and a kid. Plus I was more into the models. I just turned 34. I'll be older than most of the guys, but I'm smarter than them. I'm also way more relaxed and confident now. That's gonna be my trick.

The training plan is like this:

1) Swim everyday until I almost pass out.

2) Tweak my diet. I love loco moco in the morning but now I'm switching to a scoop of rice and a papaya. I'm not going to eat any meat whatsoever, only fish. I'm only going to eat the shrimp and lobsters and other shellfish that I catch. I love steaks, but cows don't swim, and I gotta be think about the ocean.

3) After every drink at a bar follow it with a glass of water. Also, when at the bars, I'm not going to talk to any surfers, unless they're already my friend. I'm just going to stare at them. If they ask what I'm looking at I'm just going to shake my head. If they keep at it I'll just walk away. I don't like nascar racing but I just read about how Dale Earnhardt used to just stare down the other drivers before races, may he rest in peace.

4) Float in the water for at least an hour everyday and read a book. I'm going with old school inspirational ones and biographies of cool people. I'm not going to get the book wet. This has been a theory of mine, and I've wanted to try it, for years. It's going to get my brain and my balance working with the water.

5) I've already kind of done this, but I need a string of about 6 to 9 girls I can call and have sex with on a dime. I also have to like sleeping with them, and they have to take good care of me and respect my overall plan.

I'm going to Brazil in a few days, and that's where I'm launching my plan. I figure if I can stick to it out there, it will be no problem at home.

The ultimate goal is to win the Reef Hawaiian Pro, then give the 20 grand to this guy Neil Abercrombie, who's running for Governor. I also imagine I will get laid like never before after I win.

Aloha!

[Caramel Communist]

(08-21-2010 04:04 PM)gringoed Wrote:  

This sounds interesting, although 30 days of fasting sounds really extreme! After how many days do you start feeling good? I'd imagine it's really uncomfortable while you're doing it, do you continue to feel good after the fast is over?

(08-18-2010 05:03 PM)Caramel Communist Wrote:  

I'm thinking of doing a 30 day fast....only allowed to consume water, tea...

I used to cycle on and off 2-3 week fast and even a month and I felt great. Once your broke that threshold and your body learned to control the blood sugar levels I had more energy and felt like a completely different person.

It just depends on your body and the crap you've digested...for me it usually takes 2 weeks and the next 2 weeks are energetic.... seriously have no problem getting out of my bed when I fast...

[gringoed]

(08-21-2010 05:15 PM)Kona Wrote:  

Mine is a little longer than 30 days, it's an 85 or so day plan.

I'm going to qualify for a Vans Triple Crown of Surfing event this coming season. I've tried a few times in my younger days, but never made it. A lot of the guys out there are better surfers than me, but that's not why I missed. I think I was too cocky, and a kid. Plus I was more into the models. I just turned 34. I'll be older than most of the guys, but I'm smarter than them. I'm also way more relaxed and confident now. That's gonna be my trick.

The training plan is like this:

1) Swim everyday until I almost pass out.

2) Tweak my diet. I love loco moco in the morning but now I'm switching to a scoop of rice and a papaya. I'm not going to eat any meat whatsoever, only fish. I'm only going to eat the shrimp and lobsters and other shellfish that I catch. I love steaks, but cows don't swim, and I gotta be think about the ocean.

3) After every drink at a bar follow it with a glass of water. Also, when at the bars, I'm not going to talk to any surfers, unless they're already my friend. I'm just going to stare at them. If they ask what I'm looking at I'm just going to shake my head. If they keep at it I'll just walk away. I don't like nascar racing but I just read about how Dale Earnhardt used to just stare down the other drivers before races, may he rest in peace.

4) Float in the water for at least an hour everyday and read a book. I'm going with old school inspirational ones and biographies of cool people. I'm not going to get the book wet. This has been a theory of mine, and I've wanted to try it, for years. It's going to get my brain and my balance working with the water.

5) I've already kind of done this, but I need a string of about 6 to 9 girls I can call and have sex with on a dime. I also have to like sleeping with them, and they have to take good care of me and respect my overall plan.

I'm going to Brazil in a few days, and that's where I'm launching my plan. I figure if I can stick to it out there, it will be no problem at home.

The ultimate goal is to win the Reef Hawaiian Pro, then give the 20 grand to this guy Neil Abercrombie, who's running for Governor. I also imagine I will get laid like never before after I win.

Aloha!

That sounds awesome! Are you in Brazil yet?

[gringoed]

For September I'm going to make 2 lifestyle changes:

1. No sugar at all. This includes fructose, honey, etc. I've been trying for a while to have more stable energy throughout the day and week and I want to see if this helps.

2. No porn. Jacking off is fine, but I have a feeling I'll be doing it a lot less than my current 7x/week or so. I was inspired by the other thread on this. Gotta see how this affects my "mojo"!

[Kona]

(08-28-2010 08:08 PM)gringoed Wrote:  

That sounds awesome! Are you in Brazil yet?

Got back a few days ago, and go back in a couple weeks.

I have stuck with my plan all the way. The best part is the no meat. I feel freaking fantastic. Maybe it's because I been in the water so much, I don't know, but I think it's the diet.

At first I thought it was gonna be tough in Brazil, but I just chilled on Icarai beach and swam my guts out. They have good fish over there, so the eating part wasn't an issue. I couldn't believe how much places I found that sold star fruit. People were asking why the brown guy was floating around reading books. Then I played volleyball with them, which is freaking popular over there.

I didn't see a damn wave anywhere in Brazil but didn't get to far out of my area. There's none by my house right now except at night, and I've hit those a little but they're getting smaller and coming up a little in the daytime, so it's kind of evenly small. I did however go to some west Oahu spots with waves yesterday and Monday, and I swear I have never surfed better. I also saw some Australians at the bar the day at I got back that were sponsored pros getting ready for the season. Me and some guys just gave them the stare and they kept to themselves. One started walking like he was gonna ask me something but I just turned my back and ignored him.

Like I said I really think it's the diet. My balance and my overall flow on a board are just fucking solid right now?

Aloha!

[speakeasy]

(08-18-2010 05:03 PM)Caramel Communist Wrote:  

I'm thinking of doing a 30 day fast.

[Feo]

(08-21-2010 05:15 PM)Kona Wrote:  

3) Also, when at the bars, I'm not going to talk to any surfers, unless they're already my friend. I'm just going to stare at them. If they ask what I'm looking at I'm just going to shake my head. If they keep at it I'll just walk away. I don't like nascar racing but I just read about how Dale Earnhardt used to just stare down the other drivers before races, may he rest in peace.

Aloha!

Haha. Psyche them out with the crazy eyes.

Trippple Crown sounds sick! I just got back from a little trip in NorCal with a few good head-highs. I kept getting trashed, though...fucking repeatedly.

[gringoed]

Nice! When is the tournament?

[Kona]

(09-20-2010 09:40 PM)gringoed Wrote:  

Nice! When is the tournament?

It will start around Nov. 12. I'm still trying to figure out the details to qualifying.

@feomuerto - If you mean trashed by waves, get a bigger board. If you mean booze and shit, cool.

Aloha!

[Kona]

Good morning,

I have been breaking my ass to try to compete in the Vans Triple Crown this year.

They just let me know that because of politics I am not allowed to.

It doesn't really matter. My diet plan and the swimming I've been doing have me in the best shape of my life. I'm a better surfer than 95% of the guys out there, so I'm happy.

I just ran by where they're setting up for the Miss Reef contest. It just blows my mind that NOBODY THROWS ANY GAME AT THE MODELS????? The girls were all just sitting around. I was sweaty as hell, but got the phone number of an Asian contestant. It was too easy.

I think that's what I'll do since I'm not allowed to participate. I'll just swoop surfer's girlfriends.

Aloha!

[Kickb]

I would like approach three to five girls every day for 30 days. Seems feasable even though i am feeling anxious, just need to break through my comfort zone

[Tony Ryan]

I'm doing Eben Pagan's Wake Up Productive right now, so far its been pretty dope.

It's a 90 day program, where every 30 days you implement a new habit to be more productive. I'm about half way through...

The first 30 days was on starting your day off with a morning ritual...

- Wake up at a set time.
- Drink 2 Glass of water
- Brush Teeth/ Floss/ Bathroom stuff
- Quick morning workout to get the blood flowing
- 10 minutes of meditation
- 5 minutes of positive visualization
- 300 calorie meal
- Shower

I know that sounds like a crap load of stuff to do in the morning and it was a pain in the ass to start doing, especially the first few weeks, but after doing this I'd say my overall productivity has definitely improved, I have more energy during the day and I'm generally happier.