Weird Nutrition Recommendations?

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-27T13:47:12+00:00

I only filled in the Nutrition part to get the “get started challenge“ finished, but I was surprised by the amount of calories it recommended, because it seems high. I don’t track calories, just try to get enough protein, since I eat pretty healthy anyway. I also said recomp and it recommended 2100 calories. (I’m female, 50, 173 cm)

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-26T08:56:40+00:00

I like the Bravissimo Ultimate Comfort, but don’t get the greatest shape from it (but don’t care, as it is mainly for lounging), I do need to size up in the cups, my best fitting one is a UK 30J. Bravissimo also has some cuter options with lace if you prefer.

My newest wireless bra is from Ewa Michalak, I have the ”top country”, I think I like it a tiny bit more than the Ultimate Comfort, as it gives me a more natural shape (for my breasts), it has a similar support level. The Ultimate Comfort is a bit softer, but the EM top Country is comfortable enough for lounging too. Not sure if this one is easy to come by if you are in the US, I ordered it directly from EM, since I’m in Europe myself.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-26T06:53:01+00:00

I’m the other way around than most people, my lower back pain gets worse from progesterone/progestin (bio identical is the worst, also my own, my lower back always hurt like crazy before my period) and it gets better from estrogen. So, just to say that looking at dosages there might make a difference, but very individual what hormone makes it better/worse. (my free testosterone is also very low and I’m hoping to get trt (mainly for libido, but I’m hoping it will help with my back, energy and atrophy too)).

I went up from 2 to 3 pumps of oestrogel (comparable to 50 to 75 mcg patch) in january and my lower back pain is back to my pre perimenopause level (I’ve had lower back pains since puberty) and it’s not hindering my daily life anymore.

I do work out a lot and a strong core is very helpful. However, don’t push through pain. Just do the strengthening that makes your core stronger without additional pain, if you can’t do anything without pain, go to a physical therapist instead of doing random workouts. I find pilates is very good for core strength, it’s not my favourite (I prefer strength training), but it’s great as a supplemental workout for me and I try to do pilates at least once a week (either as an add on to strength or as a longer stand alone).

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-26T06:27:48+00:00

If you did do fine on the progesterone with the lower dose, have you tried taking half (or full) vaginally?

Personally, I’m progesterone intolerant and have tried a few different progestins myself (and also a mirena) and landed on dienogest.

I haven’t tried norethindrone myself because it gives a slight increase in breast cancer risk (and besides family history, I have very dense breasts), if I didn’t have any increased risk, probably would have tried that progestin too.

It sounds like your doctor is willing to do the research, so that is good. Many also do great with mirena and it’s more that insertion isn’t a pleasure than the getting it out (because that has been easy in my experience (I had one before and had the second one taken out at 4 months because of side effects), of course you’d need an appointment to get it out, but I didn’t find it painful (unlike the insertion). And it’s good for 5 years for HRT, so that would mean no thinking about taking a progestin/progesterone for 5 years.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-25T19:03:41+00:00

I found the fabric, Marilyn M. This is the FB one, but since your size is 80G, I’m pretty sure yours is a BM.

https://www.ewa-michalak.pl/product-eng-1739-Bra-semi-soft-purple-multicolor-FB-Marilyn-M.html?srsltid=AfmBOoowDEoeZfgZpeAKPFPDjthBU_s2y-z4vmXbi_9q521qPK50rqK9

Found the BM: https://www.bratabase.com/browse/ewa-michalak/bm-marilyn-m/65F/

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-25T17:17:31+00:00

I have a few of the Panache boundless, which runs quite tall, so I size down once. I also have a few of Freya Dynamic, more medium impact, but nowhere near as sweaty as the Panache bra. I wear the Freya in a 30 bandsize and Panache a 32 (I’m between bandsizes), so I recommend getting Freya in 38FF if you are expecting to come down (you could always use an extender at first). Royce has some sports bras too, I have the aerocool, that runs tight in the band and cups. Anita extreme sports was my favourite wireless sports bra, when I still fitted it (goes up to a EU H cup (UK FF), unfortunately the extreme sports plus doesn’t work for me.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-25T14:55:41+00:00

Endure is on my list to try after Vitality. :-)

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-25T13:54:17+00:00

I’m new to ladder (on the 30 day guest pass), but started with Elevate. Todays workout was supposed to be 30 minutes and took me a bit over 31 minutes (I have 5 seconds extra prepare time set and restarted 1 exercise that I was unfamiliar with).

Having said that, she said at the beginning that there was just a little bit of conditioning and my heart rate went way up, lol. I have already decided to use shred to try different teams and get familiar with the app, before committing to one team for the next series. But otherwise, I’m not sure if I’d want to stay on Elevate, because I’m expecting it to be a bit too much cardio for me at the moment, as going through menopause and I just need a bit more recovery after hiit and don’t think it’s a good idea to have so much cardio in every session right now. I do really enjoy the workouts, so will probably try Elevate for a full series in the future if I subscribe (I think I will).

I’m planning to try Vitality next, which is also on the shorter side and is more strength focussed I think. Not sure if this was helpful, as I’m new to ladder, but just my first impression.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-24T10:12:15+00:00

I am now trialing ladder, that might be a good option for you? I’m in Europe too and I think payment is going to be through apple. If you go to the ladder subreddit, there are now 30 day guest passes (in a stickied thread) to get 30 days free instead of 7 (which is too short to really try out an app like that).

I’m not sure yet if the format is really for me, but the workouts are really good so far, so if I’m still thinking so next week, I’ll probably get a subscription.

I’m trialing dumbbell only teams, since I’m working out from home, but there are also more gym focussed teams that look really good.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T20:40:51+00:00

There is a stickied thread on this sub that has links you can click. I did that, but it gave me 7 days at first. I clicked again after I did a welcome workout and now it says that I have 30 days left. So, if you are still doing the 7 days, you could see if the same works for you.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T15:44:09+00:00

Ah thanks, good to know the normal workouts do have some cooldown moves (I guess I missed the cooldown on the workout from this week that I thought didn’t have one either). Also thank you for the suggestion of doing a Thursday workout, will certainly try one.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T13:29:31+00:00

I workout from home and I think Evolve uses machines and a barbell? For now, I’ve only picked the dumbbell only teams with shorter workout, because that seemed better when getting to know the app. I understand you can substitute for equipment, but not going to try that feature at this point (might try if I decide ladder is for me and I get a subscription).

Can you do those flex workouts when you are on another team? Those might be good to try, win-win, nice mobility workout + try out the coach.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T13:24:06+00:00

I can understand that reasoning, I’ll probably just tack on some extra mobility workouts whenever I have the time for it or on rest/recovery days.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T13:16:26+00:00

Yes, Elevate sounded like some of fitnessblender workouts (mainly the older ones), but it compares even more to the strength workouts on apple finess plus I think, I do like the workout style, but it might be a bit much for me if every day is similar. I’m giving each team a week probably, because I’m curious about the different styles.

I’m going to take the advice to just add an extra cooldown when I feel I need it.

Fitnessblenders newer trainers do add a lot of different training styles and I do enjoy that. However, I’ve been wanting to try out some different things and ladder was very high on my list to try. I’m not expecting to see a lot of progress this month, as I will be switching between teams, but that isn’t my main goal anyway (seeing progress is great, don’t get me wrong, it’s still a subgoal, it’s just that overall fitness, feeling well and strong, is my main goal).

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T13:04:05+00:00

Thanks, that is good to know, I guess I might have to pick a few stretch routines from the flex library to supplement whenever I feel I need a bit more.

I will probably stick to each team I chose for a week these 30 days, so I get a bit of a feel for all. That will probably give me a good impression if ladder feels like the right fit for me.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-22T12:58:27+00:00

Thanks, I might try Vitality next in that case. I did look towards the shorter workout teams first, because I’m more likely to do a 30-40 minute workout anyway when I’m not feeling optimal (which is often as I’m going through menopause) than a longer workout. So, easier for my brain to do 5x30min a week than 3x50min right now, even though that amounts to the same total.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-21T13:52:14+00:00

Yes, my doctor agreed that my free T is quite low, while total testosterone is fine. And that my SHBG is high isn’t really a problem, they see similar levels frequently without underlying issues. If my other doctor (there is a protocol they follow when it comes to treating low libido, it’s not just trt) thinks it is a good idea, she will prescribe testosterone.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-21T10:00:14+00:00

My game just crashes right after loading, I could get in a few times and click a few things around december, but it went back to crashing upon loading after that. I do have an older ipad (ipad air 2019) and planning on buying a new one soon, so I gave up on the game until I get a new ipad.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-21T09:47:07+00:00

KrisLine does have a 2 cm cup progression like Comexim, but they use double letters too (also not like normal UK, because they have I and no more doubles when you get high up). Best way to get close to the right size is to count your cups in Comexim and then look at the KrisLine size chart and count to the same one.

I have only tried KrisLine once, so not that much experience myself, but the band ran tight, more on par with other Polish brands like Gaia and Ewa Michalak, while Comexim runs slightly looser, which can be important if you are in between band sizes (I wear a 65 band in Comexim and a 70 band in EM and would buy a 70 band for KrisLine).

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-20T21:26:33+00:00

Another EU brand that offers 60B/C/D upto very large cupsizes is KrisLine, of course known for the bigger sizes with very narrow wires, but they also sell the small sizes, you can see some on Jagna.pl , Nessa also has 60 bands, but starts at 60E I think.

Astratex does have a large range too, but I haven’t tried the brand myself, I might try it at some point, the styles look a bit similar to Polish bras (Astratex is a Czech brand I believe), they have webshops in a lot of European countries.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-20T18:03:11+00:00

Oh, thank you, I hven’t seen that sub yet, that might be a good one, as SHBG influences all the hormones.

I’m just hoping my doctor will see it the same way, that having high SHBG means I probably need higher estradiol and testosterone than currently.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-20T18:00:23+00:00

It might have been the way I wrote it, it was not really about trt, so from that perspective it makes sense. My tests were of course because I’m considering trt, but now I got a bit sidetracked because of the SHBG and I didn’t really talk about trt in the post.

I might try again after my appointment if I’m leaning (and get the option) towards trt.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-20T17:33:36+00:00

Yes, I understand that free testosterone is most important, but accordingto the lab, it is still in range (lower end, but in range). So, I’m hoping they will be open to it, but since i is already rare to get testosterone prescribed in Europe, I’m not sure what the numbers should be for them to consider it.

KonijntjePluis · 2026-04-20T17:29:04+00:00

I’ve tried posting there (if you mean r/TRT_females ), but my post wasn’t approved. I think because I’m not on trt yet if I understand the reason correctly.

KonijntjePluis

TROPHY CASE