Hacker News Reader

Comment by yashg | Hacker News Reader

Atomic habits. Last year I had just came back from 3 days in Hospital for extremely high blood pressure. I took up walking as a daily workout and listened to Atomic Habits audiobook. It provided me enough motivation to continue and build a new habit which has not become a part of my daily routine. I am healthier and in a much better space mentally as well.

View on HN

I’ve not read Atomic habits, but keep hearing it recommended. If it is appropriate for me to ask, how do you distinguish the motivation derived from the book and that from 3 days in hospital with extremely high blood pressure? I live with a fear of hypertension because of genetics. My diet and exercise (what I can control) is at front of mind and so far so good, but my high level of motivation is driven by knowing where the disease road can lead. Not intending to diminish the book but just curious about how you balance the contribution of those two in your mind.

The book isn't about motivation, it's about steps that you can take that make creating new habits easier. In fact, the book tells you that motivation wanes quickly and we need to force ourselves to create determination instead

Thanks. That sort-of makes sense to me-not 100% but enough for me to get the book.

It's a combination of both. The book alone wouldn't have made me motivated to workout. The catalyst was obviously the health scare, but what the book did was to help me get regular and build upon my habit. The book essentially tells you that a small step is all that is required and not to give up in case you miss one or two days. Making something a habit takes time. I started small. 15 mins a day. Gradually it increased. Would I have continued working out even without having read the book? Yes. Did the book help? Yes.

Thank you. That clarifies. I will read the book. Best wishes on this going forward.

I struggled to get in to this book. I think the main reason was the author described that in his first year in college, he was so committed to forming his habits he abstained from drinking and partying! That's not a reasonable ask for people and kind of turned me off from continuing...

Thanks for the recommendation. I've just used one of my Audible credits on this and will give it a go.

what was your bp readings if i may ask?

260/160. Yes, that high. I had a retinal bleed which blurred the vision in one eye. Over subsequent days they got my brain, kidneys and all vital organs scanned for damage. Luckily no long lasting damage to anything.

glad you are fine!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com