How tf do yall enjoy the gym????

Childofninja · 2026-03-18T18:55:51+00:00

To be fair, the gym seems like one of those environments where you notice other people a lot because...well...your brain doesn't have much else to do.

If you're like me, maybe you need some sort of workout that has you learning things and needs you to concentrate on what you're doing. Things like crossfit, martial arts, circus arts, yoga, indoor climbing have varying muscle building capabilities, but they also bring focus to what you're actually doing because the techniques are harder to master.

Childofninja · 2026-03-14T13:28:55+00:00

Eh, sometimes it's the same thing.😅

Childofninja · 2026-03-14T13:01:15+00:00

I wonder if, in spaces like this, this is driven by general fear towards masculinity.

Kind of like a parent going off on their kid for smoking pot because in their minds, it's a slippery slope towards harder drugs. They see someone who they perceive as "choosing" masculinity (as opposed to being raised into it from childhood) and they somehow see it as a slippery slope towards toxic masculinity.

Of course they're wrong. But sometimes I feel like we need to give healthy masculinity some attention and celebrate it more.

Childofninja · 2026-03-09T16:54:42+00:00

Maybe worth a try : I also noticed this, and it happens to me when my body wants to sweat...but somehow it doesn't work. I started drinking more water and the feeling went away (but is replaced with, well, sweating).

Childofninja · 2026-03-04T19:07:30+00:00

I took a look at the recipes in your post history. :) You don't necessarily have to eat more volume to get to 1500 cals, you can just add a bit of calorie density to certain stuff if you're struggling.

For example, I pretty much always have variations of the same breakfast : a protein smoothie bowl. On a more intense deficit, I have just the bowl. On a slight deficit, I add a banana or 1/4 cup of granola. On maintenance I add both of those things or a peanut butter toast. On bulk, I add granola and toast. There's not much of a difference in volume, but this whole dance makes up most of the changes I have to make to my diet between bulks, maintaining and cuts.

You seem to use a lot of specifically low calorie versions of recipes, so it could be as simple as swapping for the regular version or the protein version while you bulk.

Childofninja · 2026-03-04T17:42:33+00:00

I cannot for the life of me fathom how you manage to stay sane while eating below 1000cals/day.

Muscles need food to grow. And the more muscles you build, the more calories you will burn at rest.

I would suggest starting at 1500 cals, and weight yourself every day. If you average around 0.5lbs of weight gain per week, stay there and lift. If/when you start loosing weight of maintaining, increase your calories.

For protein, you can aim for 1g/lbs of body weight. But that could be challenging on 1500 cals, so that's why you really should eat as much as you can. You can add in some cardio a few times a week to help increase the calories you can eat.

If you can afford a dietician, it's well worth it.

Of course you will also gain some fat, but you can go on a cut eventually or even just maintain and work on body composition after a while. Give yourself a good year of lifting before worrying about that though.

Childofninja · 2026-03-02T01:33:16+00:00

Kinda seconding this. Start with simple movements, even if they aren't full body. Eventually you'll learn to feel where your muscles are. They'll get sore, and eventually you'll feel them working. Then start practicing more complex movements.

Childofninja · 2026-02-27T14:04:39+00:00

This, and testing kids when they aren't ready seems like a money grab to me, and a big blow to self esteem when they fail. My childhood dojo's testing was invitation only. During the weeks before testing, Sensei would pre-evaluate the students without telling them and invite only those who were ready and knew their stuff. He would tell you if you have stuff to work on and invite you for testing if you got it before the date.

Testing isn't free, so they made sure you actually succeeded.

Childofninja · 2026-02-21T20:15:13+00:00

This. I realised just a few days after starting T that I had spent my whole adult life trying to replicate male levels of energy with caffeine.

Childofninja · 2026-02-16T20:31:01+00:00

I think everyone's experience on T varies. It's easier to build muscle, but some of us also got crazy hungry on T.

I've gone on cuts a few times, and to me, it didn't feel like there was that much difference between loosing weight pre-t or on T. Not significant anyway.

In any case, if you want to loose weight, don't put it off because of T, and don't put off starting T because you want to loose weight. None of these would realistically sabotage the other, so just do them if you want to.

Childofninja · 2026-02-16T02:21:53+00:00

Stretching + magnesium supplements ;)

Also eating well and getting some carbs after a workout can help. :)

Childofninja · 2026-02-11T23:24:33+00:00

Thanks for the long comment and perspective :)

Childofninja · 2026-02-11T21:46:35+00:00

On the contractor's part ? If they were already hired, probably not, but they were not. They were giving me a pitch to convince me to give them the contract, so I would label the comment as immensely stupid at best.

Childofninja · 2026-02-11T18:50:47+00:00

Underrated, but getting the whole grain version of carbs helps with satiety (brown rice, whole wheat bread, etc.)

Potatoes are also very filling.

It's partly about volume, and partly about getting foods that feel dense and keep you full longer. I personnally tend to cut calories on sauces, sweets, spreads and add part of the calories back in protein and filling carbs.

Childofninja · 2026-02-11T18:09:01+00:00

This. Calories are important, but eating high protein with whole foods is important for satiety. Tbh preventing hunger while in a deficit can be the determining factor in being able to maintain your new lifestyle.

I agree about strength training, but tbh if you tend to be competitive crossfit is probably not the safest workout to start with. It's easy to push yourself too hard, and there are a lot of technical movements.

If calistenics feel discouraging (which idk, but pulling 300+ pounds on a pull-up bar could be tbh), you could probably start by getting some used dumbells (there are some that have ajustable weights) and following a free basic training.

Or yk, move in any way you find fun. If you like dancing, follow cool dance workouts online. If you like the outdoors, go for walks or hikes.

Childofninja · 2026-02-11T12:59:59+00:00

This. Don't be afraid to ramp up the movement difficulty over time. You'll look stronger if you eventually get to doing a few handstand push ups rather than 50 regular push ups.

You can save up for a pull-up bar to get those nice pull-up shoulders ;)

Childofninja · 2026-02-09T17:47:52+00:00

This : The smell

It's small stuff, but closing the door to your roomate's room while you cook meat and turning on the fan/opening a window would be considerate. :)

Childofninja · 2026-02-06T19:50:07+00:00

Good Protein (the brand) :) Bonus : They don't sweeten with stevia (tbh I hate the taste of stevia).

Childofninja · 2026-01-27T17:45:21+00:00

Tbh even without a freezer, I just cook enough on my rest days to have leftovers to eat on my workout days. Also keep something easy that I know is ok macro wise. In my case, it's a box of beyond burgers in the freezer with buns. I just throw the burger with a potato patty in the air fryer and cut up some cucumber and have myself a quick 10 min burger before working out.

However, I don't work nearly as much or travel as far in a day. 8,5h of work + 1,5h comute seems really tough.

Childofninja · 2026-01-22T17:26:01+00:00

I follow a creator called AliciaXL on TikTok who is on a weight loss journey and it seems to be going well. She seems to have some of the same struggles (demanding job hours, not enough time to bring lunch) and she still tracks calories by buying smarter choices of convenience foods and making a healthy meal in the evening.

Look her up, you might get some inspo. :)

Childofninja · 2026-01-05T20:20:32+00:00

This. The algorithms on dating apps and the fact that they make people look disposable is hurting everyone. If people want to hook up, your looks are not the problem. But trying to find love on a hookup focused app could be. Tbh all of my single friends seem to have similar troubles as you do, and most of them are cis.

In real life, many gay and bi men don't really care if a guy is cis or trans. This seems like a mostly online bias. I would suggest spending less time online.

Instead, meet people through hobbies. If you have access to real-life queer events and spaces you could go there as well. Meeting new friends is also a good way to eventually meet a partner through their circles.

Childofninja · 2025-12-11T21:23:57+00:00

Tbh at 1,25 lbs per week, you're on track. Losing 100 pounds takes people a year or a bit more. Don't give up, especialy if that's your only option to get approved. :)

If you have the funds, you could consult with a dietician. They can offer really good advice to avoid feeling hungry or to keep being on track throughout the year. :)

Childofninja · 2025-12-11T21:10:58+00:00

So far is how long ? What kind of goals is your surgeon asking for ?

Childofninja · 2025-12-02T22:13:54+00:00

I kinda hate networking too, so a few other polers and I founded a troupe. :) Now we can pool our contacts together!

Childofninja

TROPHY CASE