Cherimoose Member

Some people can't do certain ab exercises, but that's not necessarily bad. Ab exercises aren't as important for fitness as compound exercises (squats, push-ups, rows, etc), which more closely match how we use our abs in daily life, which is to say they rarely are needed to the point of pain. Personally i'd focus on…

How are you determining your lower abs are your "weakest point"? Also, what exercises/activities are you currently doing?

Not me, but there have been discussions on fatty liver, which you can search for. The weight loss process should be the same as everyone else (calorie deficit). Let us know if you need help

I too get them from a sudden spike in carbs.. which makes sense, since carbs tie up water in the body (in the form of glycogen). Try increasing your water intake a lot when eating more carbs than usual. Also avoid sleeping on your side on those days, since it's much easier for the hamstrings & calves to contract in that…

Bodylastics is a good choice, as is Black Mountain. Both can attach to doors. They sell kits for various abilities.

It depends why you lift. If want to get bigger, you'll need to lift more. If you want to be strong for everyday tasks and weekend sports (general preparedness) or for health/bone strength, you probably have overkill strength, or at least reached the point of diminishing returns. That's usually more like an incline chest…

If you've been doing strength training, i doubt you'll have a problem doing any of the common exercises that an out of shape person should learn. Muscle-ups aren't one of the them. If you don't get a certification, you should have a good understanding of the basics of kinesiology and exercise science, both of which you can…

Perhaps consider a shift in mindset from viewing it as a something you're "supposed to be doing" to thinking only of the benefits you want - looking better, stronger for daily life, improved insulin sensitivity, etc. A few "tricks" that may help build the habit: - Start with only one set per body part per workout the first…

Have you tried a valved N95 mask? It lets air out better. I use 3M's 8511, which fit well.

You can go in a circle 3 times. For the 1st cycle, i'd choose a medium weight as a warmup, and then for the next 2, choose a weight that tires you out between around 8 and 12 reps. It should be heavy enough that can't really do more than around 16 reps. To make it more enjoyable, you can listen to music or a podcast. Rest…

Muscles are sort of like strings on a guitar - you loosen the ones that need it, and leave the other ones alone, since they need to stay a certain tension. If you have specific areas that are chronically tight, then stretching them will help loosen them. But many people don't know how to properly diagnose their problem…

This is an ancient thread. You would pay less because you're no longer obese. The costs of obesity far outweigh the cost of seeing a doctor once because of shin splints or Achilles tendinitis.

How strange. No, that is never normal. Severely low protein would cause swelling on both sides (kwashiorkor). Do you happen to sleep on your left side only? Maybe it's an allergic reaction to something on the bed, like detergent or mites. Do you take any medication?

Blown out knees and ankles from deadlifts? I suppose it's theoretically possible, but i've never heard of anyone doing that. Back injuries do happen sometimes, although that's usually avoided with proper abdominal bracing and a sensible progression in training volume. I agree about checking your form using video for…

It can be a bit easier to lift more, since the weights are closer to your body. And yes, it works the pecs fine, but i'd arch to hit them better (unlike what he's doing). Arching is explained here: https://youtu.be/Y_7aHqXeCfQ?t=147

What specific results have you been expecting? Most goals can be reached without those tests.

Well, machines force you into their form, but whether it's good form depends on whether the machine fits your proportions - which is not always the case, and has injured people before. Unfortunately many trainers aren't knowledgeable enough about kinesiology to determine if a machine truly fits you. Then there is the issue…

Poor depth and the feeling of tipping backward can often be fixed with a slightly wider stance. If it's already wide enough, try pulling your knees outward slightly as you descend to improve depth. If you're unsure of your form, you can post a form check video for others to assess.

Congrats on the weight loss. Has a doctor tested your thyroid function? Low function and can increase hunger and reduce activity. It's fairly common with women.

Have you tried Breathe Right nasal strips? Some people find them helpful to get more air in.

Do you happen to get acid reflux (GERD)? That can cause laryngitis from running.

They won't reduce your arms, but i'd still do strength training for other reasons. 50 lbs seems like a good goal. :+1:

Try it out - you can always quit after few weeks if it's too much. Just wear comfy shoes, and keep your abs braced tight whenever lifting or carrying stuff, to prevent back injuries. Keep us updated :+1:

That's probably where your body stores fat. Fat takes up more space than muscle, and women usually don't have big muscles when they're lean, so you probably just need to reduce your body fat. As trainers will tell you, exercises don't spot-reduce fat, so just focus on eating in a calorie deficit. If you do strength…

Radical viewpoint here. About 90% of shoes have a raised heel, which is fine for running, but it creates a clunkier walking gait that contributes to joint stress. Good walking shoes have a zero "heel to toe drop", like Vans, Keds, Altras, etc. The Skechers & New Balance i've seen all had a raised heel. Converse are fine if…

The first few exercises are basic rehab exercises and should be fine, if they're the right difficulty level for you (which i don't know). I wouldn't do the 2 advanced exercises without a PT's approval. For the others, short, frequent sessions are best - for example, 1 minute every 2 hours.

I don't strictly follow it, but i've seen a bunch of discussions on it here. If you use the search option, you'll find some of them.

One thing that is rarely mentioned is to switch to shoes with no raised heel. Over 90% of shoes have a raised heel.. including ones marketed as "walking shoes".. and it creates a clunky walking gait that adds stress to joints. You will notice a smoother foot motion in shoes with a zero "heel to toe differential" ("heel-toe…

Generally, if it doesn't hurt, it's not harming. For upper body, you can try these, which don't bend the elbow: dumbbell pec flys, rear delt flys, and lateral raises. Instructions are on youtube.

The 1200 threshold is kind of arbitrary, like the "drink 8 glasses of water" advice and "walk 10,000 steps". It depends on your size & activity level - a sedentary, small female might do fine under 1200 for a while, but 1500 could be too low for a highly active male. I'd say your calorie deficit is a more important…