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I play better if I'm trying to prove I play better without using a HUD.

Not sure. If you are just starting out you might be able to learn it the right way? I started to use it the wrong way, so I needed to figure a way out

Yeah i started using a Hud and playing 6m, like only 2 months ago.In the beginning i WAS using it wrong, then slowly but surely got better and started adjusting the stats and popups to those that i need the most.
What i noticed when i analysed some of the trouble spots, is that i was relying too much on a HUD in some situations, that i needed to take a break and try playing without it for a couple of days.
After i did that one my friends explained some things to me, and it was much clearer.
So i`m glad i took that advice while still in relatively early stages of using it and familiarizing with it.
Now while yet not everythng is crystal clear, i have a much better understanding of its purpose, with still a lot of features that i need to learn how to use and maximise its potential.
I`m all about improving, in any way possible.

thin red line ep1

I guess nobody bothered to realise OP said zoom poker? That's a completly different ball game.

I remember when I still played poker I would rely way to heavy on the hud. For me, every 21/17 was the same, and every 6% 3-bet meant X. I understood that this was not so, but I would still make generalisations. I would hear myself say: "This guy is a 8% 3-better, that's a lot ! I am going to fight back". My reads where mostly based on hud stats. Then, I went a step further, and would look at positional stats, those because my read. I would say: "Yes, he is a 8% 3-bettor, but from what position". I would then look and see that his 3-bet % on the button was high after 20 hands so I would have a reason to 'fight back'.

I think, to tackle this leak, it's very good to drop the hud, for practice. Maybe play a couple of levels lower for some time, or maybe a few times a week. I don't know. Teach yourself to look around, and see what people are doing. I always found it a great tip to focus on one player only, and make as many reads as possible. From there, expand the players you are following. Not sure which coach gave that tip.

I think, looking back. You can't really play without a HUD anymore, since you will have to big of a disadvantage. While you are trying to figure out some player is tag, a lag or a nit.. he just sees 21/18 after 100 hands and can me atleast some assumptions.

I think, the best would be to use the hud as a tool, not to let the hud use you for your own mental justifications for things you want to do. With that, I mean, If you are sick of folding to a 3-bet, it's easy to look at 8% and tell yourself it's time to stand up. Or you might be completely card dead, look at your own stats and see 13/10... and say to yourself... Can't be viewed as a nit, I need some image... and start opening hands you really should not... For me, the hud really used me. It might even have been an emotional trigger at times.

To put things in perspective, even BalugaWhale (for new members, a coach who absolutely hated the hud) started to use a HUD when he started to play a bit lower then he normally was playing. With such a big field of players using a HUD, the hud isn't a advantage anymore, it's a big disadvantage not using one. Becoming really great at using a HUD, that might be a really big advantage. Somebody should make a video on it. I know Alan Jackson from bluefire had some great poker videos about HUDs, but I am sure somebody at DC could do the same or even better.

Greetings.