msapplek Member

I'd also like to add that we should also consider the toxicity of diet culture! Your description of following years of fad and crash diets, the predators of MLMs and other diet fixes, falling apart because clothes don't fit are very much a result of diet culture. Even tracking calories on MFP is a bit toxic and shouldn't…

@Kevin_Hassenpflug I have not done 75 Hard Challenge, but I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos of those who have (and have not completed) the challenge. Definitely recommend searching up some videos for examples of people who have actually done the challenge. I think there is a lot of misperceptions or assumptions about…

I've been enjoying the Peloton app's outdoor running guides, which include a variety of regular runs as well as interval and HIIT runs. This is especially helpful for me because I just follow the instructor's cues and timings for the sprints and faster running. Also, the runs are themed to different types of music (90s hip…

That would be an excellent needlepoint indeed!

@gdfrew - Congratulations on your weight loss! 55lbs over the last year and 2months means that you did this during pandemic/quarantine/lockdown, and that's a super friggin' awesome accomplishment!! I similarly lost a good amount of weight during the quarantine, but didn't get into strength training until late summer 2020…

@FitAgainBy55 @MaltedTea @JintheSouth - Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! I follow one YouTube fitness person (Caroline Girvan- she's fantastic!), and she has some kettlebell workouts on her channel that I'm going to try. But happy to hear any workouts you've found online (or otherwise) that you highly…

I'm intrigued by kettlebells and everyone's high praises here have me wanting to get started as soon as my current strength training program concludes next week! I was looking at the kettlebells online, and the cheapest one from Walmart is an all iron cast one, while the vinyl coated start about $20 more. Is it better to…

I haven't seen my coworkers in person since last March because of quarantine. I've been diligently working on weight loss and fitness during that time. Although we have regular zoom meetings, I rarely turn on the video (because I'm, uh, usually multi-tasking with other things), but I have turned it on a few times when I'm…

I always avoided mirrors and photos, and even after significant weight loss, I still mostly do. But the best reminders that I'm in this new, for real body is when I try on clothes: getting into a size small shirt or size 4 pants is shocking in the best way. It makes clothes shopping so much fun (though, uh, maybe I have…

@dewd2 and @Djroulx - Interesting, I always hear about people who say that they stopped running because it was bad for their knees (or maybe they said their joints?). My injury was, at first, a very tight quad (which I do think it was related to running plus some strength training and overuse), but then the tight quad led…

@Mrscanmore - I've also been dealing with some overuse injuries, so I took a break from running for about 1.5months (I'm a newer runner). Decided to go for an easy run on Jan 1st, and it wasn't horrible. But both my knees did hurt afterwards. Do you think it's worth it to keep going with the easy runs and build back up?…

Funny, I came across the honeynut squash at the farmers' market this fall for the first time. I wonder if farmers all over got together and decided to go all in on the honeynut squash this year. Anyways, I really enjoy this variety: the taste, texture and serving size are great! I did notice, though, that the carbs and…

I did Caroline Girvan's 10week Epic program! And I highly, highly recommend! The videos and calendars can still be found on YouTube or her website. The program consists of 5 workouts/week (30min-1hr workouts) that are mostly strength and resistance training (you will need a pair of dumbbells and mat). I believe her…

When lockdown started this past March, I took up running and surprised myself that I kept with it for months. I could never have imagined that I would consider running a treat given that we were forced into isolation because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, I've had a persistently tight quad after I incorporated a strength…

Since I work from home now since COVID, I've used the 10hrs/week of commute time towards exercise and working out! Yay for me! For the past 3months, I've been pretty focused on completing a 4day strength/weight training program + 1day HIIT designed by a YouTube trainer I discovered. The workouts range from 30min-1hr. Oh…

@MaltedTea- I agree that for other homemade stocks I've made, the calories seem negligible and I don't sweat it too much. However, for the pho broth, since I know that, at least, two of the ingredients--fish sauce and sugar--has calories--I thought it would be good to know what the calories for a serving would be. But, ah,…

My 2021 goal is also to get 1-2 pull ups! I've gotten a pull up assistance band, and can do the slow lowering. Can't get myself back up, though, even with the band yet. Seems like a farfetched dream to think I can do 1-2 actual pull ups. But it took me most of quarantine to get solid sets of push-ups, so I imagine it might…

@motherthemountain - I have the same fitness goals as you: strong, healthy and capable. Plus the extra booty. B) Unlike you, I've been overweight most of my life. But like you, my exercise and fitness have also been sporadic throughout my life. I've been focusing on the weight loss and consistent regular exercise for…

I'm currently working on a 10week strength program called "Epic," programmed and released by certified trainer/badass Caroline Girvan via YouTube: 4 days of strength (mix of dumbbells and bodyweight) and 1 HIIT day. I think it's brilliantly programmed and I really enjoy her training and presentation style. I was able to…

Kudos to you!! You look fantastic! And I agree with you so hard on this: "Dieting and exercising is super taxing on the body. The physical and emotional stress that occur naturally from being in a deficit is very real." I'd like to lose another 10-15lbs, but after 8months of dieting/exercising/restricting taking up so much…

@springlering62 - Thank you, I will check out the Gaiam Sol! I've heard about the oft recommended Manduka, but then I read reviews about its slipperiness (and rubbery smell?). Grippiness is most important to me. And @springlering62 -I always enjoy when you post (to hear your story, your workouts, your humour and attitude).…

@ItsAStrangeLoop - Do you have a recommendation for a forever mat (I've never heard that term 'forever mat' before! I like it!)

I'm new to the protein powders, and recently finished the Orgain Creamy Chocolate Fudge... it didn't taste that great, unfortunately. Had a chalky texture, and was not as chocolatey to my liking. But if someone else has a recommendation for vegan protein powders, I'd love to try it. Not vegan, but so far the PEScience…

2020 Goal Weight: 145 October 7: 149 October 14: 147.5 October 21: 146.5 October 28: 146 October 31: 146.5 Wow, October flew by in a blink of an eye! I went out to eat and had some sodium-rich and calorie laden foods on the 30th, so am not surprised by the Oct 31st weigh-in. But overall, I am both ecstatic and disbelieving…

2020 Goal Weight: 145 October 7: 149 October 14: 147.5 October 21: 146.5 October 28: 146 October 31: What's working: I decided to eat back at least 90% of my exercise calories this week. And it's been enjoyable (too enjoyable). Challenges: Per above, when I don't exercise, I go back to my small calorie deficit for the day.…

@VeryKatie - Hope you don't mind if I also jump in on your thread, although I don't have advice to offer, but am in a somewhat similar position. I've lost about 40lbs since April. I did sporadic bodyweight workouts, but 4wks ago I found an enjoyable strength & resistance training workout that runs for 10weeks total. Still…

2020 Goal Weight: 145 October 7: 149 October 14: 147.5 October 21: 146.5 October 28 October 31: Notes: What's working: Looking forward to my morning routine! Wake early, strength train and run, have my fave breakfast right now, and a big coffee. Challenges: I've been pretty burnt out from measuring, weighing and cooking…

I have started doing some workout everyday because I'm currently enjoying this new strength training program (5x a week) that I've started plus continuing with running, yoga and tennis (swimming over the summer). I'd love to add something fun, too, like a dance class or a skaterobics class. I do wonder if this is all a…

@KeiPootat - I also started Intermittent Fasting when I joined MFP about 7months ago. And like you, IF was really helpful in giving me structure to eat during a window as opposed to an all day, non-stop eating fest. I also started out at 1200 calories per MFP's settings and ate more calories when I added exercise. The…

When I started MFP, I also was doing intermittent fasting. So I skipped breakfast and looked forward to eating a satisfying and big lunch. IF and calorie tracking were really good as tools and parameters for losing weight. However, in the last couple of months, with some increased exercising and strength training in the…