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Height-ism?
So, I had heard this was a thing, but had not encountered it myself until recently. A couple of months ago, I decided to dip my toe into the world of online dating. And it didn't take long to see women's profiles where height isn't just a preference, but an absolute (dis)qualifier ("Under 5'10", do not message"; "Must be…
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Connecting C25K to MFP
So I didn't think I was an idiot. Within the C25K app, I can't seem to find anywhere to create the connection. The settings menu is just very basic stuff. The app apparently doesn't have a web presence in the same way MapMyFitness does, so no dice there. On MyFitnessPal, the apps section of the site has a button for…
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Why Is Food "Addiction" So Controversial?
I'm probably opening the biggest can of worms ever, but here goes. First, my position: I don't actually have a strong position on this. But I'm always curious when I see other posters have such very strong positions. As in, it seems very important to them that food have (or not have) an addictive quality. But why is it so…
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New Year Finish Line - Weight Loss Challenge
So many resolutions begin on Jan. 1 -- how about one that starts now and ends there? I want to reach 155 lbs or less between now and then. I'm taking it super slow, eating reasonably healthy, and exercising. The plan: * Weigh in and post as frequently as you like. I'm aiming for just about every day. I'm also going to…
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How often should you bathe/shower?
This question is at the center of a recent NPR article: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/26/917019912/in-the-era-of-hygiene-clean-author-makes-the-case-for-showering-less Dr. James Hamblin, the author of "Clean," argues that many of us are showering too often, possibly to the detriment of our skin's…
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Exercise Motivation
One of the most important changes I've made to help me prioritize exercise, in addition to choosing activities I generally enjoy, is to shift my mindset away from seeing it as a chore and more as an essential part of being an inhabitant of a physical body. And that body was made to perform optimally under particular…
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Overhead Press
I've been doing SL 5x5 again, for about a month now, and my old nemesis has reared its head. The Overhead Press is far and away the most difficult exercise of the 5 for me. The other 4, I'm progressing really easily, and will probably continue to do so for at least another 6 weeks. OHP --> I've failed already. I knew this…
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How do I EDIT a meal via the web app?
I have meals that I sometimes need to alter just slightly to accommodate someone's restrictions. Or sometimes I just want to tweak a meal to try something out. But I can't figure out how to do it.
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Design a Machine-Focused Strength Routine
I've just joined a new gym and this morning taken inventory of what's available for strength. Army-Chesty things:* Bicep Curl * Preacher Curl * Tricep Extension * OH Press * Vertical Chest * Incline Press * Lat Pulldown (2 of these -- one allows for various attachments) * Rear Delt/Pec Fly (2 motions, 1 machine) * Compound…
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Considering a Fitness Tracker
I'm thinking of diving into the world of fitness trackers, but it's a bit overwhelming. It's probably best to explain what I do right now: I primarily run, and I track my run by strapping my big-kitten phone to my arm. Apps on my phone sync the calorie burn to MFP automatically. I can look on the phone, or PC, and see how…
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Stifflegged deadlifts
I was unaware of this exercise until I saw it in a routine. How is it possible that that isn't bad for your back? It's like the safe lifting technique in reverse. You know what I mean? My back hurts just looking at it.
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Re-Starting SL 5x5
For about the third time, I'm going to start this program. But I want to do it right this time. Previously, I stalled out several months in, got bored/frustrated, got annoyed at working out in my dank garage, and threw in the towel. This time, I'm taking advantage of my local university's awesome rec center (costs me…
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S-IF:4/20
Hey guys, I've developed a new Way of Eating that I'm calling Staggered-Intermittent Fasting 4/20. How it works: You only eat for 4 hours out of the day. But these don't have to be consecutive (hence the staggered part). The way I'm doing it, I give myself an hour in the morning, then an hour mid-day, then an hour in the…
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Recommend a home power rack
So I'd like to take the plunge again and try to do this and be really serious about it. I've made space in my basement. I'm saving up over the next few months and my budget will be $1,000. What I'm looking for is of course power rack and it would be nice if included in that was a bench and an Olympic Bar. Any other…
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Weightlifting
I see posts on the regular from folks who can't stand cardio but are fully gung-ho about weightlifting. And the advice is generally that's OK because as long as you're getting the heart rate up for a certain number of hours each week, you're getting the benefits of cardio anyway. I have the opposite issue. I'm finally…
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Running Pace - Energy Relationship?
This is a physiological question that maybe doesn't have an answer -- or the answer is totally individual. But I thought I'd ask anyway and get some perspectives. Anyway: This morning I ran 45 minutes, and I know it was about 4 miles total. While my tank wasn't empty, I was pretty close to it. Which got me to thinking --…
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Weight Numbers I Should Aim For?
My stats: 39/M, 165 lbs, 5'8", always been skinny (as a teen I was "heroin skinny") My goals: Right now, lose weight. Eventually, build muscle. Probably not like extreme bodybuilder type muscle, but I do want to "look good naked." My question: So obviously, right now, I'm in the lose weight while preserving muscle phase.…
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Designer Protein(R) Instructions
On a whim, I bought some unfamiliar protein powder. It was a bit pricier, fancier packaging, etc. Then I see this on the carton: "Add 2 scoops to 8 oz of your favorite non-dairy beverage" (my emphasis). OK, so is something bad going to happen if I mix this with milk, yogurt, kefir? Will it explode? Also, milk/yogurt/kefir…
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Getting Stronger for Climbing
So I went to a climbing gym for the first time this weekend and realized just how weak those particular muscles are. Maybe some of them aren't even used outside of climbing; I'm not sure. Anyway, I was wondering what might be the best approach to gaining this kind of functional strength? I own You Are Your Own Gym, and it…
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Recommend a smoothie/blender/chopper?
I have a Ninja right now, and it works great for both making smoothies and processing things, but I have two problems with it: 1. It's too big for just me. I need 2 servings of smoothie at most, not 6. 2. It's design is such that cleaning is really tough. There's a grime buildup in the top of the lids that I just can't…
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Wanting to Eat Less -- and Eventually No -- Meat, But Don't Know Where to Start
Title Says It All. Any tips? A Beginner's Guide? I mean, I get the basic idea -- beans, rice, yogurt and eggs for my protein mainly -- But I'm so fuzzy on how to go about making "meals" that don't focus on meat.
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Foot Issue (with pic)
So I run pretty regularly these days. But for the last 6 week or so it's been not so regular b/c of this thing on my foot. (see pic) What is it and what can I do about it? I stayed off my feet for about 2 weeks and it didn't at all. Running kind of irritates it, but I wouldn't call it painful. It's not gotten better (or…
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Headache after 10K
So I've reached the 10K distance now. Yay! Only problem is, I get a mild to moderate headache that sort of lingers the rest of the day whenever I run that distance. I am pretty sure it's hydration, but then my question is -- do I need to "pre-load" some water? Take water with me (I normally don't drink during a run)?…
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Powerful Sharing: Kelli from Fitness Blender
Maybe a lot of folks have seen this already; it's a year old. But I thought it was pretty inspiring: Kelli shares her story of overcoming eating disorder.
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Can't Find Comfortable Bar Position During Squat
I've hit a wall in my squat progress because I literally can't tolerate the pain the bar is causing me. When I put it where it feels like it's "on" a neck bone, it feels like the bone could break. In between bones and it feels like two bones could break. Move it down toward the lower neck, upper back and my shoulders feel…
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Questions re:Training Progress for Distance Running
Hi All. So at this point I can comfortably run a 5K at ~28 mins. Each event I'm a little bit faster so that's nice. I'm also doing the 5K to 10K trainer from Zen Labs. I have two weeks left and it's going great. I *feel* like I could run 10K already but I'll wait. I guess my question(s) is -- what's the typical progress…
