"I've never had a thought I didn't get in the car with my entire life." ... actually though. I've decided to focus on journaling instead of meditation. It helps me to empty out my thoughts and work through them. I may be in the car but at least I'm the one steering.
Bree L Riley + Excellent! Writing things down can be immensely powerful for letting go; the very act of putting them onto something permanent and able to be referenced in the future seems to trick the mind into saying "oh, hey, I don't need to remember/focus on this now" and thus move on. Plus, reading it as though a book gives enough distance to be able to see it in a new light. :)
the whole 'progress not perfection' thing comes at the right time! I still snack way too much, but I substituted all my processed meals for veggies. I normally have at least my five a day now.
I noticed you guys are talking a lot about three of what people often call the four corners of health (exercise, mindfulness, diet) but not the fourth, which is sleep. Have you guys focused on that much in 100 days?
One big problem is that the worst food is cheap and easy. So poor people, single people, people who work weird hours, end up eating fast food and junk food all the time.
Nico Sun yes, but the time factor is the big barrier to those raw foods. I'm personally finding out now that it's less time than I thought to prep or cook them, but most people don't have enough experience to know that. It's a hard public health issue to address, but slowly things are changing aaand fast food options are getting healthier. They won't ever be better than homecooked, but it's a start!
Well, I don't like cooked vegetables. I mostly eat them raw or steam them in my rice cooker when I cook rice. Of the fast food stores I feel Subway is a good balance between quick food and a healthy choice.
Just wanted to say thanks for doing this- I've lost around 10-15lbs (not totally sure) and i'm feeling really good, i can now jog for 25 minutes which is something i could never have done before. 100 days is so motivating! thank you!
I like this "3-2-1" thing, I think I'm going to try it. I have this problem where I list only the bad choices I've made, and then I dwell on them, turn them around in my head again and again, and then again. It's like I'm punishing myself all the time. Especially with regard to food choices. So, I'm going to try the 3-2-1.
Kim Serra same! It's a good idea. I would like a more constructive answer to deal with the snacking though. A distraction, another activity, or a mantra. I try things myself but when it comes from an external source I can trick my brain into being more likely to believe the answer works lol.
Some of the things that have helped me with snacking are 1. having healthy snacks pre-made and easily available, and 2. getting other snacks out of sight. For 1, I like making little tubs of yogurt + berries, peanut butter + celery, or whatever I've been feeling like lately in the morning (or whenever you have a spare minute), so that when I get hungry at night I don't have to think about it or spend time making it, and it's in an appropriate portion size. It's important to remember that healthy eating doesn't mean you can't snack at all! There's lots of simple healthy snack recipes online. For 2, I find that if I run out of something and don't replace it, I'll stop missing it within a few days/weeks. I find it extremely helpful to just not have my "problem foods" on hand, because I usually don't want them bad enough to go out to the store. For the things I can't get rid of (like if I share them with family or roommates), I find it helpful to put them out of sight, and to move them around/ not keep them in places I'll be tempted to eat them. For example, if I normally go to the pantry and get cookies, I'll move the cookies to a kitchen cabinet that doesn't get used often (and tell everyone else where they went, obviously). These work really well if you put them together, because 2 can break you out of autopilot, and then you can grab a healthy snack before laziness/autopilot kicks back in!
Dude. That 3-2-1 thing is wonderful. I'm definitely going to try it. I woke up this morning feeling pretty lousy but got myself to my workout session. I got a new PR for RDL's - which is awesome but I still feel like it's never enough. My trainer always seems to have to point out I did something good or an improvement because I'm so quick to just notice my shortcomings. I feel you, John, but Chris and everyone else is right: you and Chris ARE doing great. I hope we both can find ways to feel proud of what we're doing. :)
John, hearing you talk about meditation and how it doesn't really work for you helps me a lot. It's never worked for me beyond just letting me get a couple minutes of shut-eye. The way you put it, "I've never had a thought that I didn't get in the car with, my entire life," really resonated with me. Watching you go through this as a fellow OCD-sufferer, and seeing you be so vulnerable about this stuff helps me to feel that it's okay to be vulnerable. Keep up the good work!
"I've never had a thought that I didn't get in the car with my entire life." Yes...this...I can so relate. I wish I could crack that meditation code but it is still a stressful mystery to me. XOKK
The entirety of 100 days has impressed and inspired me, not least of so has been John's struggle with meditation. I've been there; where I can't get through a 10 minute meditation session without inducing an anxiety attack or headache. I've learned that sometimes, it is not beneficial to try to mediate [I was taught that after three unsuccessful attempts at meditating in a given session, it is best to stop the session and try again when you feel more ready even if that is months down the line]. That being said, I've tinkered with the technique I practice and the context within which I practice and have had success developing a small practice using a mantra meditation (I've also seen it referred to as medical meditation). Different technique from mindfulness/vipassana meditation but not a practice without benefits. And for me personally, I've had far fewer anxiety attacks and headaches practicing with a mantra than I have with the "my thoughts are cars on a free way" strategy. In any case, keep up the good work you two! Can't wait to see who has to go head-to-head with Suzanna!
Christopher Warner If I can give some advice that I've found works well for me? Body scans, especially after yoga (and now any exercise session) are when I find the most benefit. I can actively focus on my body, reflect on my workout, and I find it's much easier to avoid engaging with distracting thoughts, kind of because my brain is focused on ~something~. It's also just part of the workout and not taking time elsewhere (like John said he would prefer those 10 minutes to get work done). And, if I give the mindfulness a purpose/goal, e.g. body focus or emptiness focus, then it is work to my brain and its much easier for me to actually do it. I'm glad you've kept at it and found some use though! I didn't "get" it at first either but now I definitely appreciate that time I get to take and focus on my body.
Ironically, I've been forced to change my eating habits in the last few weeks because my anxiety and depression were attacking me so badly. And I'm noticing the same things - I'm way more productive when I work, I'm happier about my work, etc. When I do eat badly, I NOTICE it, too. I had a can of Chef Boyardee last night and I slept in way more than I should've. I certainly don't feel as great as usual either. Hopefully knowing and realizing this will help me feel better in the long term, but who knows.
Two of my five resolutions this year are to lead a healthier life and also to lead a more sustainable life, and I've found that they're actually pretty related. Like John, I also have the problem of snacking too much and not being able to really stop, and there have been too many times when I'll start on a bag of chips and then suddenly find myself inhaling the crumbs at the bottom. But in avoiding grocery stores and supermarkets in favor of the farmers' market or my local food collective, I'm much more likely to buy plastic-free food in better portions that are not heavily processed. Like everything I buy these days is fresh, local produce, dehydrated fruit (snacks) with no additives like sugar or preservatives, or homemade things I can easily make on my own, too. Knowing where my food is coming from and how it's prepared has been really empowering, and gives me the feeling of being in control of my food for once. Plus, I try to keep all my vegetables and fruit pre-cleaned and pre-cut the way I like in reusable containers, so when I get hungry, I'm much more likely to cook and eat what I have than go buy take out or chips because now I can quickly access the good stuff. (This is also a sustainability win because less plastic from take out and less food waste from not eating what I have!) As a busy college student, taking the time a couple hours a week to just prep my food not only saves me time and money in the long run but also makes me very conscious of what I have available to eat. So what I'm trying to say is that I've been attacking my snacking situation in two ways-- in always keeping healthy food available (which means food for meals but also at least 3 fruits & banana chips from my local food collective, which are cheap, healthy, and fulfill my need for crunch) and being more mindful of my portions. Limiting access to the chips and increasing access to better alternatives seems to be key, at least for me.
Sharing my own experience with meditation. I really didn't see the point of it when I originally tried meditation, usually I'd just fall asleep a few minutes in. I still dislike most of the mindfulness exercises regarding emotions, but I've come to enjoy breathing, listening and body scan sessions. Now I often do 10 minutes of unguided meditation focusing on my breathing. What I get from it most of all is an ability to focus and shut out distractions in my daily life. I don't grab for my phone as often as I used to and I put my full thought into everything I engage with.
ojaott I agree! Body scans, especially after yoga (and now any exercise session) are when I find the most benefit. I can actively focus on my body, reflect on my workout, and I find it's much easier to avoid engaging with distracting thoughts, kind of because my brain is already focused and it's just part of the workout and not taking time elsewhere (like John said he would prefer those 10 minutes to get work done). Also, if I give the mindfulness a purpose/goal, e.g. body focus or emptiness focus, then it is work to my brain and its much easier for me to actually do it.
I've been getting healthy recently and my tip to improve your snacking situation is not to not snack but instead to snack with different (healthy) foods you like, I'm a big fan of just eating pitta/carrots with humous, berry medley things you can buy, apples, nuts
John, I experience a lot of the same mental issues as you do (The meditation thing and some more compulsive behaviors associated with my anxiety), and I've never heard someone speak so candidly about those mental challenges. It's really refreshing to hear someone besides me talk about this. I feel a lot less alone because of you, so thanks:)
I just wanna say I think this series is one of my favorite things from the Vlogbrothers/Complexly crew. It's funny, inspirational, informational, and just awesome. It feels good to feel like I have friends going through my fitness, nutrition, and mental training with me. It's just great, and it's been a while since I've gotten this excited to get a subscription update. So, in short, I love this, and I hope it never ends! DFTBA and keep being f*
John, you need to try the meditations by Madhu Wangu for writers. They're wonderful. If you're ever in Pittsburgh again, you can stop by one of our weekly Mindful Writers sessions!
Hey, I actually stopped trying with sitting meditation, but the last thing I tried that seemed to work for me before I stopped doing it altogether was the Head Room meditation. Essentially, you imagine the inside of your head as a room where you can go and feel safe and hopefully happy and relaxed, where you can ground yourself and allegedly get all kinds of aura cleaning done (I never made it quite that far). The room can be based on a room in your house or a place you've actually been, but it can't BE that room (mine ended up a combination of my bedroom in our old house and a Japanese dojo) - and the forehead area should feature a way to look out on a scene that soothes and grounds you (the front end was the dojo side, and there were large windows and the sliding doors were perpetually open to a scene of the sea from a forested cliff). The idea is that you take this place with you wherever you go, always looking out through the windows or door of this space, through your beautiful Happy Place at whatever you're facing. It helped a lot when I was using it. Now that I describe it, I should use it more often! Anyway, maybe it's something to try. I found it on page 9 of my copy of Your Aura and Your Chakras: the Owner's Manual by Karla McLaren
My father and I will also do a 10k race with you guys! Well it's more like 8k but I wanted to do it about the same time as you both. So, if other nerdfighter of Montreal want to come, we will be at the Tour de l'Horloge run. See you there!
Thank you guys for making this. I'm going to be sad when you reach 100, because I enjoy watching these so much. I was feeling anxious today and I literally went 'What's a positive thing I can put on to try to reroute my brain?' 100 Days!
I strongly suggest that you two go to a yoga class with a meditation at the end! I have never successfully, or happily, meditated on my own, but at the ends of vinyasa flow classes it is much easier for me! Usually they burn incense, or mist you with lavender, and sometimes they put a bean bag pillow over you eyes so you can relax, it creates a very calm environment. I hope this helps, and congrats on reaching 50 days!
You are both an inspiration to me! And I have a hard time with the mindfulness meditation as well...I tend to be like, "is this working? Am I doing it right?" instead of just being still.
Props to Erica's comment about mindfulness that being inside your own head can be really uncomfortable for some people. (Or as one of my meditation teachers put it, it's stirring up the mud in the soul.) That also why sometimes getting professional help with meditation is better than just having guided session because you can discuss any trouble you have with your teacher afterward. Same as when you get a personal trainer for your physical workout, you might want one for the mental workout, too.
As a fellow severe anxiety haver, I feel for John in that most guided meditations (Headspace and others) take me completely out of it and I assumed mindfulness wasn't for me...But my therapist kept suggesting Jon Kabat Zinn and when I did his sessions I finally got it and meditation has become my foundational aid in fighting mental illness i.e. don't count out meditation based on your experiences thus far, John. Try shopping around for the right fit...For me it's not about not getting in the car. It's just about realizing which car you're in.
I would suggest trying practicing a soft martial art, because I have a feeling you might enjoy it. They're not the best for short term weight loss necessarily, but they're great for combining both the physical and mental aspects of exercise. You can also approach them with a mindfulness-related attitude, since you can think of that type of workout as "meditation in motion" (I also hate meditation, but I find mindfulness much more approachable, by which I just mean trying to be present in the thing I'm doing and not space out all the time, which is my baseline mental state =D). I also find I can focus and concentrate much more easily and for longer chunks of time since I began practicing. I personally do Japanese Jujitsu (I'm 27 and started 4 months ago), but you can also look at Judo, Aikido, Tai Chi, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, etc., which all share the "softness overcomes hardness" theme. You can try, you never know what you'll end up liking =)
Here's to a great "second half of your season"! Thanks for all the transparency about the many facets of the struggle of this challenge. It inspires me to work out, try some new things, value my friendships, not criticize myself when I don't meet a goal and need to leave something behind (i.e. meditation...you can always try again later, eh?) Maybe some of this is in the editing but....Most of all it looks like you two are having fun! Cheers!
John, I am also horrible at meditation. Last year at the end of GenCon, I treated my friend Jon and I to a trip to a float center there in Indianapolis. It was nice and relaxing, but not the transformative/skip decades of Buddhist meditation/chemical free hallucination wonder it was hinted at being. It may be a thing that you and Chris could do together and get some footage of your reaction to it though.
John, I have actually had a talk with my therapist about my self control issues so maybe it will help you see your food struggles differently too. Self control is also a "muscle" that gets better with usage and it still can get you only so far if things are not ideal (if you are tired, anxious, etc. your other muscles don't perform that well either and you don't see that as a failure hopefully :)). So even as you fail you are exercising and you are getting better because you pick yourself up each time and try again. We will beat our issues! Also about the meditation thing, meditating does not work for me either. I am supplementing it with somatic exercises, which are very very short (like 5 minutes) stopping points throughout my day where I close my eyes, focus on my breath and check with my body. Is there tension anywhere? What does not feel right? What does feel right? E.g. I can feel a lot of tension in my chest but my fingers may feel ok. So I start focusing on how my fingers feel and try to spread that feeling throughout my body until my breaths calm down and get deeper. After I feel reasonably OK I just go for 3 deep breaths and move on with my day and it helps me much better than meditation because it gives me something to focus on. Hopefully this will be helpful to at least somebody :) P.S.: I am so proud of you and all the people in the comment section trying to live better every day. You rock :)
There are other forms of meditation and you may be practicing one of them without realizing it, John. When you run or hike perhaps? Whenever you take purposeful time to engage or enjoy beauty of whatever kind. Reading to your children or just having a serious conversation with those little lives, you tie yourself to bigger life, or maybe surrender to it.
The 3-2-1 method mentioned by your psychologist sounds very interesting. That could really work for a lot of people in a lot of areas of their lives. So, it's: three things you did well, two things you want to improve, and one new goal (is that right?). Good food for thought.
I still wanna hear your more specific thoughts that you alluded to in a previous video about that meditation session that went so poorly! Not to be sadistic...I'm just really curious
Also going to add that highly processed foods are engineered to stimulate reward systems in an almost addictive way! (Check out Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss.) It may help to not have those foods in your home at all, unless your kiddos eat them. Keep pressing on John!
I have the same problem as John does regarding meditation. I've professed to being high-strung, short-tempered and anxious which is why my friend gave me Headspace in the first place. And while some of the things do work for me, like the breathing exercises, I find it hard to just let thoughts come and go. It's hard not to follow where your own brain takes you. I also find it hard to sit down and just empty my mind for several minutes since I get antsy very easily. And habit-forming is also difficult as well. I've only done nineteen days of the one-year subscription I've had since end of last year. It's so frustrating especially with the added worry of disappointing the aforementioned friend too.
Maybe a different style of meditation might be helpful? I certainly can't not think about things, but I actually kind of like some other forms. My favourite way is to lie down and focus on each individual body part and imagine it sinking into the floor (ie moving from feet up to your head). I'm thinking the entire time but I'm so focused on concentrating on the body parts that I don't really think too much about other things. Also 'mindfulness' can be good.
John, maybe you should try some other meditation app etc. Headspace really wasn't for me and just made me more anxious.. Find something that works for You whether it's breathing exercises, body scans, guided meditations or non guided.. Forcing meditation is a bad way of "doing" it.
That session with the therapist ended with the same conclusion as my own therapy sessions. Apparently increasing positivity and acknowledging your own progress really is an entirely deliberate exercise in itself. It helps to hear it from two sources.Also, what I've understood about mental illnesses is that there are some that do not work well with meditation. Schizophrenia, for one, often has negative results. I would imagine OCD would run into similar issues. Perhaps journal writing is a better tack to take?
Hey John idk if you will see this but ive always struggled with anxiety as well and found meditation really stressful, and gave me panic attacks. Ive found that if I meditate as part of a yoga routine though its ok because i get that nice rush of endorphins from the yoga practice that helps me be clear and chill while I practice mindfulness.
John, perhaps there are other meditation techniques that might work for you. Maybe in the next fifty days you could try a meditation technique that doesn't require you to be aware of your thoughts, or you could even try a walking meditation. If you don't find a specific technique to work for you after you have given it a fair, honest trial, then find a new one!
There's this crazy Russian general's push up program. It's like 2 weeks with a different amount of pushups at different intervals every day. If you really want to do more pushups, it's there.
on meditation... would love to hear the outcome if John discussed his issues with somebody like Brad Warner. Warner has mentioned that problems can happen and the more traditional, non commercial, schools of Zen have approaches to deal with it. not saying don't give up but curious what a Zen approach would suggest.
John - You have talked about "late night eating" a lot and about not getting enough sleep (thereby napping during your meditation efforts....). Have you noticed a connection between sleep and snacking? Do you snack more on some nights than others? Why? I wonder what would happen if you concentrate on sleep rather than diet: a) getting to sleep by 10:30 p.m. AND b) not eating after 9:30 p.m. (sub. times that make sense in your life....)
I would be really interested in hearing from your wives. What kinds of changes they've seen from you, stuff like that. I realize that's a big ask, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
John have you considered doing a walking labyrinth for meditation? I find it helpful to be doing something else while trying to relax rather than just sitting.
I am very interested in how deep John's voice became when talking to the shrink. My voice gets seriously deep when I talk to tradesman. To the point where I am mocked mercilessly. What is this?
You may want to try a greater variety of meditation styles. I recently read Search Inside Yourself (admittedly reeks of some classic self-help tropes), which I found interesting because it presents many types of meditation exercises to try, some working better than others. Maybe you'll find something in it more suitable to you?
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
WOOOOOOOOOOAH! LIVIN' ON A PRAYER!
Best first comment
Thank you! I couldn't help myself.
OM gosh .... i wasnt the only one... +Abbi Archer whoever you are... I love you : D #BonJoviForever
ha! I thought that too! (and I get to see bon jovi next week, woo!)
Can you tell them while you are there that they have to come to germany?
"I've never had a thought I didn't get in the car with my entire life." ... actually though. I've decided to focus on journaling instead of meditation. It helps me to empty out my thoughts and work through them. I may be in the car but at least I'm the one steering.
Bree L Riley agree!
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Bree L Riley + Excellent! Writing things down can be immensely powerful for letting go; the very act of putting them onto something permanent and able to be referenced in the future seems to trick the mind into saying "oh, hey, I don't need to remember/focus on this now" and thus move on. Plus, reading it as though a book gives enough distance to be able to see it in a new light. :)
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the whole 'progress not perfection' thing comes at the right time! I still snack way too much, but I substituted all my processed meals for veggies. I normally have at least my five a day now.
Lena tbh I think that sounds great!!
I noticed you guys are talking a lot about three of what people often call the four corners of health (exercise, mindfulness, diet) but not the fourth, which is sleep. Have you guys focused on that much in 100 days?
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By far my favorite part is the "C'MON JOHN!" from the outtakes
Writing down the 3-2-1 technique for later reference:
3 things you did well
2 things you can improve on
1 goal for tomorrow
Can we please give Chris 10 style points!
Those pants!
One big problem is that the worst food is cheap and easy. So poor people, single people, people who work weird hours, end up eating fast food and junk food all the time.
That's only true for cooked meals. Raw vegetables, fruit or plain bread are super cheap.
Vegetables are way cheaper than fatty foods from the store...
lolpauve
Great if you just want to eat vegetables, most people want a full meal...and don't like to eat vegetables
Nico Sun yes, but the time factor is the big barrier to those raw foods. I'm personally finding out now that it's less time than I thought to prep or cook them, but most people don't have enough experience to know that. It's a hard public health issue to address, but slowly things are changing aaand fast food options are getting healthier. They won't ever be better than homecooked, but it's a start!
Well, I don't like cooked vegetables. I mostly eat them raw or steam them in my rice cooker when I cook rice. Of the fast food stores I feel Subway is a good balance between quick food and a healthy choice.
I thought John's goal would be to look FUCKING MAJESTIC at everything. :D
Janina Dick doesn't he already do that
Just wanted to say thanks for doing this- I've lost around 10-15lbs (not totally sure) and i'm feeling really good, i can now jog for 25 minutes which is something i could never have done before. 100 days is so motivating! thank you!
I like this "3-2-1" thing, I think I'm going to try it. I have this problem where I list only the bad choices I've made, and then I dwell on them, turn them around in my head again and again, and then again. It's like I'm punishing myself all the time. Especially with regard to food choices. So, I'm going to try the 3-2-1.
Kim Serra same! It's a good idea. I would like a more constructive answer to deal with the snacking though. A distraction, another activity, or a mantra. I try things myself but when it comes from an external source I can trick my brain into being more likely to believe the answer works lol.
Yes! Also I tend to overwhelm myself expecting perfection, but making one goal a day seems way more manageable
Some of the things that have helped me with snacking are 1. having healthy snacks pre-made and easily available, and 2. getting other snacks out of sight. For 1, I like making little tubs of yogurt + berries, peanut butter + celery, or whatever I've been feeling like lately in the morning (or whenever you have a spare minute), so that when I get hungry at night I don't have to think about it or spend time making it, and it's in an appropriate portion size. It's important to remember that healthy eating doesn't mean you can't snack at all! There's lots of simple healthy snack recipes online.
For 2, I find that if I run out of something and don't replace it, I'll stop missing it within a few days/weeks. I find it extremely helpful to just not have my "problem foods" on hand, because I usually don't want them bad enough to go out to the store. For the things I can't get rid of (like if I share them with family or roommates), I find it helpful to put them out of sight, and to move them around/ not keep them in places I'll be tempted to eat them. For example, if I normally go to the pantry and get cookies, I'll move the cookies to a kitchen cabinet that doesn't get used often (and tell everyone else where they went, obviously).
These work really well if you put them together, because 2 can break you out of autopilot, and then you can grab a healthy snack before laziness/autopilot kicks back in!
Dude. That 3-2-1 thing is wonderful. I'm definitely going to try it. I woke up this morning feeling pretty lousy but got myself to my workout session. I got a new PR for RDL's - which is awesome but I still feel like it's never enough. My trainer always seems to have to point out I did something good or an improvement because I'm so quick to just notice my shortcomings. I feel you, John, but Chris and everyone else is right: you and Chris ARE doing great. I hope we both can find ways to feel proud of what we're doing. :)
John, hearing you talk about meditation and how it doesn't really work for you helps me a lot. It's never worked for me beyond just letting me get a couple minutes of shut-eye. The way you put it, "I've never had a thought that I didn't get in the car with, my entire life," really resonated with me. Watching you go through this as a fellow OCD-sufferer, and seeing you be so vulnerable about this stuff helps me to feel that it's okay to be vulnerable. Keep up the good work!
"I've never had a thought that I didn't get in the car with my entire life." Yes...this...I can so relate. I wish I could crack that meditation code but it is still a stressful mystery to me. XOKK
The entirety of 100 days has impressed and inspired me, not least of so has been John's struggle with meditation. I've been there; where I can't get through a 10 minute meditation session without inducing an anxiety attack or headache. I've learned that sometimes, it is not beneficial to try to mediate [I was taught that after three unsuccessful attempts at meditating in a given session, it is best to stop the session and try again when you feel more ready even if that is months down the line]. That being said, I've tinkered with the technique I practice and the context within which I practice and have had success developing a small practice using a mantra meditation (I've also seen it referred to as medical meditation). Different technique from mindfulness/vipassana meditation but not a practice without benefits. And for me personally, I've had far fewer anxiety attacks and headaches practicing with a mantra than I have with the "my thoughts are cars on a free way" strategy.
In any case, keep up the good work you two! Can't wait to see who has to go head-to-head with Suzanna!
Christopher Warner If I can give some advice that I've found works well for me? Body scans, especially after yoga (and now any exercise session) are when I find the most benefit. I can actively focus on my body, reflect on my workout, and I find it's much easier to avoid engaging with distracting thoughts, kind of because my brain is focused on ~something~. It's also just part of the workout and not taking time elsewhere (like John said he would prefer those 10 minutes to get work done). And, if I give the mindfulness a purpose/goal, e.g. body focus or emptiness focus, then it is work to my brain and its much easier for me to actually do it. I'm glad you've kept at it and found some use though! I didn't "get" it at first either but now I definitely appreciate that time I get to take and focus on my body.
Ironically, I've been forced to change my eating habits in the last few weeks because my anxiety and depression were attacking me so badly. And I'm noticing the same things - I'm way more productive when I work, I'm happier about my work, etc. When I do eat badly, I NOTICE it, too. I had a can of Chef Boyardee last night and I slept in way more than I should've. I certainly don't feel as great as usual either.
Hopefully knowing and realizing this will help me feel better in the long term, but who knows.
Chris reminds me of Vince Vaughn. Anyone else? Just me? Okay.
B. Stewart Caswell yeess!!! that's who he reminds me of, I couldn't think of it!
THANK YOU
B. Stewart Caswell Omg yes!
Two of my five resolutions this year are to lead a healthier life and also to lead a more sustainable life, and I've found that they're actually pretty related. Like John, I also have the problem of snacking too much and not being able to really stop, and there have been too many times when I'll start on a bag of chips and then suddenly find myself inhaling the crumbs at the bottom. But in avoiding grocery stores and supermarkets in favor of the farmers' market or my local food collective, I'm much more likely to buy plastic-free food in better portions that are not heavily processed. Like everything I buy these days is fresh, local produce, dehydrated fruit (snacks) with no additives like sugar or preservatives, or homemade things I can easily make on my own, too. Knowing where my food is coming from and how it's prepared has been really empowering, and gives me the feeling of being in control of my food for once. Plus, I try to keep all my vegetables and fruit pre-cleaned and pre-cut the way I like in reusable containers, so when I get hungry, I'm much more likely to cook and eat what I have than go buy take out or chips because now I can quickly access the good stuff. (This is also a sustainability win because less plastic from take out and less food waste from not eating what I have!) As a busy college student, taking the time a couple hours a week to just prep my food not only saves me time and money in the long run but also makes me very conscious of what I have available to eat. So what I'm trying to say is that I've been attacking my snacking situation in two ways-- in always keeping healthy food available (which means food for meals but also at least 3 fruits & banana chips from my local food collective, which are cheap, healthy, and fulfill my need for crunch) and being more mindful of my portions. Limiting access to the chips and increasing access to better alternatives seems to be key, at least for me.
Sharing my own experience with meditation. I really didn't see the point of it when I originally tried meditation, usually I'd just fall asleep a few minutes in. I still dislike most of the mindfulness exercises regarding emotions, but I've come to enjoy breathing, listening and body scan sessions. Now I often do 10 minutes of unguided meditation focusing on my breathing. What I get from it most of all is an ability to focus and shut out distractions in my daily life. I don't grab for my phone as often as I used to and I put my full thought into everything I engage with.
ojaott I agree! Body scans, especially after yoga (and now any exercise session) are when I find the most benefit. I can actively focus on my body, reflect on my workout, and I find it's much easier to avoid engaging with distracting thoughts, kind of because my brain is already focused and it's just part of the workout and not taking time elsewhere (like John said he would prefer those 10 minutes to get work done). Also, if I give the mindfulness a purpose/goal, e.g. body focus or emptiness focus, then it is work to my brain and its much easier for me to actually do it.
Don't give up on meditation John! xx
Duuude, John's arms are lookin bigger! That's crazy to see him with muscle tone, keep it up guys!
I've been getting healthy recently and my tip to improve your snacking situation is not to not snack but instead to snack with different (healthy) foods you like, I'm a big fan of just eating pitta/carrots with humous, berry medley things you can buy, apples, nuts
This is by far the best series on exercise/health ever. It's a brilliant diamond in the middle of a vast gallery of precious stones.
John, I experience a lot of the same mental issues as you do (The meditation thing and some more compulsive behaviors associated with my anxiety), and I've never heard someone speak so candidly about those mental challenges. It's really refreshing to hear someone besides me talk about this. I feel a lot less alone because of you, so thanks:)
I just wanna say I think this series is one of my favorite things from the Vlogbrothers/Complexly crew. It's funny, inspirational, informational, and just awesome. It feels good to feel like I have friends going through my fitness, nutrition, and mental training with me. It's just great, and it's been a while since I've gotten this excited to get a subscription update. So, in short, I love this, and I hope it never ends! DFTBA and keep being f*
I just reached the halfway point in my fitness goals! So grateful for this show keeping me motivated along the way :)
"If John Green can like exercise, I can too." Things I have to tell myself to get through P.E.
Thanks John
John, you need to try the meditations by Madhu Wangu for writers. They're wonderful. If you're ever in Pittsburgh again, you can stop by one of our weekly Mindful Writers sessions!
That sounds really interesting!
That 3-2-1 thing is actually really neat, I think I'm gonna give it a try :)
woooooo we're halfway there wooo ooooh!!!!!!! livin on a prayer
Hey, I actually stopped trying with sitting meditation, but the last thing I tried that seemed to work for me before I stopped doing it altogether was the Head Room meditation. Essentially, you imagine the inside of your head as a room where you can go and feel safe and hopefully happy and relaxed, where you can ground yourself and allegedly get all kinds of aura cleaning done (I never made it quite that far). The room can be based on a room in your house or a place you've actually been, but it can't BE that room (mine ended up a combination of my bedroom in our old house and a Japanese dojo) - and the forehead area should feature a way to look out on a scene that soothes and grounds you (the front end was the dojo side, and there were large windows and the sliding doors were perpetually open to a scene of the sea from a forested cliff). The idea is that you take this place with you wherever you go, always looking out through the windows or door of this space, through your beautiful Happy Place at whatever you're facing. It helped a lot when I was using it. Now that I describe it, I should use it more often! Anyway, maybe it's something to try. I found it on page 9 of my copy of Your Aura and Your Chakras: the Owner's Manual by Karla McLaren
I needed your therapist to tell you that you weren't pointing out the positives in yourself. I needed that. For me, I mean.
My father and I will also do a 10k race with you guys! Well it's more like 8k but I wanted to do it about the same time as you both. So, if other nerdfighter of Montreal want to come, we will be at the Tour de l'Horloge run. See you there!
Thank you guys for making this. I'm going to be sad when you reach 100, because I enjoy watching these so much.
I was feeling anxious today and I literally went 'What's a positive thing I can put on to try to reroute my brain?' 100 Days!
I hope stuff on this channel continues even after 100 days
This is so great - thank you for documenting and sharing your experience! Congratulations on making it halfway!
I strongly suggest that you two go to a yoga class with a meditation at the end! I have never successfully, or happily, meditated on my own, but at the ends of vinyasa flow classes it is much easier for me! Usually they burn incense, or mist you with lavender, and sometimes they put a bean bag pillow over you eyes so you can relax, it creates a very calm environment. I hope this helps, and congrats on reaching 50 days!
Is that a reenactment of the vlogbrothers channel profile picture?
I really like that idea of the 3 2 1 exercise. Maybe I'll start trying to do that
You are both an inspiration to me! And I have a hard time with the mindfulness meditation as well...I tend to be like, "is this working? Am I doing it right?" instead of just being still.
Props to Erica's comment about mindfulness that being inside your own head can be really uncomfortable for some people. (Or as one of my meditation teachers put it, it's stirring up the mud in the soul.) That also why sometimes getting professional help with meditation is better than just having guided session because you can discuss any trouble you have with your teacher afterward. Same as when you get a personal trainer for your physical workout, you might want one for the mental workout, too.
As a fellow severe anxiety haver, I feel for John in that most guided meditations (Headspace and others) take me completely out of it and I assumed mindfulness wasn't for me...But my therapist kept suggesting Jon Kabat Zinn and when I did his sessions I finally got it and meditation has become my foundational aid in fighting mental illness
i.e. don't count out meditation based on your experiences thus far, John. Try shopping around for the right fit...For me it's not about not getting in the car. It's just about realizing which car you're in.
I would suggest trying practicing a soft martial art, because I have a feeling you might enjoy it. They're not the best for short term weight loss necessarily, but they're great for combining both the physical and mental aspects of exercise. You can also approach them with a mindfulness-related attitude, since you can think of that type of workout as "meditation in motion" (I also hate meditation, but I find mindfulness much more approachable, by which I just mean trying to be present in the thing I'm doing and not space out all the time, which is my baseline mental state =D). I also find I can focus and concentrate much more easily and for longer chunks of time since I began practicing. I personally do Japanese Jujitsu (I'm 27 and started 4 months ago), but you can also look at Judo, Aikido, Tai Chi, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, etc., which all share the "softness overcomes hardness" theme. You can try, you never know what you'll end up liking =)
This was really nice. John seems a bit self critical but I think both John and Chris are doing super well :-)
I'm really enjoying these videos. The 3-2-1 idea is something I can see myself using.
Progress. Not perfection - that needs to go on a shirt! Or poster. Or both! I'd buy both! It's something I try to live by that motto every day 🙌
Calvero 221 This would make a great motivational gym poster. Maybe the kind with an animal or inspiring landscape?😂
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Here's to a great "second half of your season"! Thanks for all the transparency about the many facets of the struggle of this challenge. It inspires me to work out, try some new things, value my friendships, not criticize myself when I don't meet a goal and need to leave something behind (i.e. meditation...you can always try again later, eh?) Maybe some of this is in the editing but....Most of all it looks like you two are having fun! Cheers!
John, I am also horrible at meditation. Last year at the end of GenCon, I treated my friend Jon and I to a trip to a float center there in Indianapolis. It was nice and relaxing, but not the transformative/skip decades of Buddhist meditation/chemical free hallucination wonder it was hinted at being. It may be a thing that you and Chris could do together and get some footage of your reaction to it though.
Chris' outfit looks really stylish!
I've been following along with you guys and have made a lot of progress, thank you for the motivation!
"I never had a thought I didn't get in the car with my entire life." Oh god this is exactly how I feel when I try to meditate!
Ohhh Livin' on a prayer
John, I have actually had a talk with my therapist about my self control issues so maybe it will help you see your food struggles differently too. Self control is also a "muscle" that gets better with usage and it still can get you only so far if things are not ideal (if you are tired, anxious, etc. your other muscles don't perform that well either and you don't see that as a failure hopefully :)). So even as you fail you are exercising and you are getting better because you pick yourself up each time and try again. We will beat our issues!
Also about the meditation thing, meditating does not work for me either. I am supplementing it with somatic exercises, which are very very short (like 5 minutes) stopping points throughout my day where I close my eyes, focus on my breath and check with my body. Is there tension anywhere? What does not feel right? What does feel right? E.g. I can feel a lot of tension in my chest but my fingers may feel ok. So I start focusing on how my fingers feel and try to spread that feeling throughout my body until my breaths calm down and get deeper. After I feel reasonably OK I just go for 3 deep breaths and move on with my day and it helps me much better than meditation because it gives me something to focus on. Hopefully this will be helpful to at least somebody :)
P.S.: I am so proud of you and all the people in the comment section trying to live better every day. You rock :)
There are other forms of meditation and you may be practicing one of them without realizing it, John. When you run or hike perhaps? Whenever you take purposeful time to engage or enjoy beauty of whatever kind. Reading to your children or just having a serious conversation with those little lives, you tie yourself to bigger life, or maybe surrender to it.
I don't need support .... I need you like it from within
The 3-2-1 method mentioned by your psychologist sounds very interesting. That could really work for a lot of people in a lot of areas of their lives. So, it's: three things you did well, two things you want to improve, and one new goal (is that right?). Good food for thought.
This is good. I love these guys working out together.
this series is being done so well! I've enjoyed all of it.
Keep up the great work!!!
I still wanna hear your more specific thoughts that you alluded to in a previous video about that meditation session that went so poorly! Not to be sadistic...I'm just really curious
Also going to add that highly processed foods are engineered to stimulate reward systems in an almost addictive way! (Check out Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss.) It may help to not have those foods in your home at all, unless your kiddos eat them. Keep pressing on John!
I have the same problem as John does regarding meditation. I've professed to being high-strung, short-tempered and anxious which is why my friend gave me Headspace in the first place. And while some of the things do work for me, like the breathing exercises, I find it hard to just let thoughts come and go. It's hard not to follow where your own brain takes you.
I also find it hard to sit down and just empty my mind for several minutes since I get antsy very easily. And habit-forming is also difficult as well. I've only done nineteen days of the one-year subscription I've had since end of last year. It's so frustrating especially with the added worry of disappointing the aforementioned friend too.
Maybe a different style of meditation might be helpful? I certainly can't not think about things, but I actually kind of like some other forms. My favourite way is to lie down and focus on each individual body part and imagine it sinking into the floor (ie moving from feet up to your head). I'm thinking the entire time but I'm so focused on concentrating on the body parts that I don't really think too much about other things. Also 'mindfulness' can be good.
John, maybe you should try some other meditation app etc. Headspace really wasn't for me and just made me more anxious.. Find something that works for You whether it's breathing exercises, body scans, guided meditations or non guided.. Forcing meditation is a bad way of "doing" it.
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YOU GUYS ARE KILLIN IT GOOD JOB!
That session with the therapist ended with the same conclusion as my own therapy sessions. Apparently increasing positivity and acknowledging your own progress really is an entirely deliberate exercise in itself. It helps to hear it from two sources.Also, what I've understood about mental illnesses is that there are some that do not work well with meditation. Schizophrenia, for one, often has negative results. I would imagine OCD would run into similar issues. Perhaps journal writing is a better tack to take?
brb, applying the 3-2-1 method to my daily life.
Hey John idk if you will see this but ive always struggled with anxiety as well and found meditation really stressful, and gave me panic attacks. Ive found that if I meditate as part of a yoga routine though its ok because i get that nice rush of endorphins from the yoga practice that helps me be clear and chill while I practice mindfulness.
John, perhaps there are other meditation techniques that might work for you. Maybe in the next fifty days you could try a meditation technique that doesn't require you to be aware of your thoughts, or you could even try a walking meditation. If you don't find a specific technique to work for you after you have given it a fair, honest trial, then find a new one!
great job guys!
There's this crazy Russian general's push up program. It's like 2 weeks with a different amount of pushups at different intervals every day. If you really want to do more pushups, it's there.
Half way already?! I'm going to be totally bummed when this series is over.
3-2-1 sounds like a good idea to try
I love the crew of this show haha! Making John and Chris commit to taking pictures of their food with manipulation :')
Have they talked to a professional about meditation and mindfulness? I only really got into it myself when I took my first class with a professional
John's for sure going to win the picture thing
on meditation... would love to hear the outcome if John discussed his issues with somebody like Brad Warner. Warner has mentioned that problems can happen and the more traditional, non commercial, schools of Zen have approaches to deal with it. not saying don't give up but curious what a Zen approach would suggest.
Good food tracking challenge John! That'll kick you guys up a level in food tracking
Would love to see a more full cut of the discussion. This was very brief
John - You have talked about "late night eating" a lot and about not getting enough sleep (thereby napping during your meditation efforts....). Have you noticed a connection between sleep and snacking? Do you snack more on some nights than others? Why? I wonder what would happen if you concentrate on sleep rather than diet: a) getting to sleep by 10:30 p.m. AND b) not eating after 9:30 p.m. (sub. times that make sense in your life....)
That 3,2,1 activity might be something that could help me.
I would be really interested in hearing from your wives. What kinds of changes they've seen from you, stuff like that. I realize that's a big ask, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
John have you considered doing a walking labyrinth for meditation? I find it helpful to be doing something else while trying to relax rather than just sitting.
I have never been this early to anything! I'm wicked proud of these guys :)
Is there any way Chris isn't gonna vanish from TH-cam after 100days? WE NEED A SPINOFF!!!
I am very interested in how deep John's voice became when talking to the shrink. My voice gets seriously deep when I talk to tradesman. To the point where I am mocked mercilessly. What is this?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THIS SHOW WHEN THE DAYS ARE OVER? Any other people doing this afterwards?
Hey -- Spotted John in a Timbers shirt!! #RCTID
This is amazing guys.
Hey what camera stabilizer are you using? It looks amazing!
I think you guys look stronger already :) keep going
You may want to try a greater variety of meditation styles. I recently read Search Inside Yourself (admittedly reeks of some classic self-help tropes), which I found interesting because it presents many types of meditation exercises to try, some working better than others. Maybe you'll find something in it more suitable to you?
C'MON JOHN!
i feel like chris is definitely going to lose that picture competition
yay 50 days
sitting here watching them talk about over snacking with my popcorn AND oreos, no regrets
Didn't you say that this wasn't a competition? Take those meal pictures! ^.^
a) you guys are too cute
b) HOW DID I MISS THE DERBY EPISODE?!
Chris is wearing all the shades of gray. :)
Given that you're in Indy, the thought you had about being in Chris' draft should remind you of "Breaking Away"...
Where's the meditation expert?