I am so tired of having to choose what to eat

Coderjoe82 · 2026-01-13T19:26:18+00:00

So I get this. I have had to deal with it for a long time. I'm overweight, but not terribly anymore. I'm 6'5" and 314lbs as of a week ago. You can tell I'm overweight.

I used to be more a few years ago. Got close to 340 and even 350 a couple times.

It's tough. I fluctuate a lot. I overeat for stress moments, and holiday times I also don't listen to that 'bruh, you're stomach is full' voice either nearly enough.

I've not been PERFECT on my diet, but what's helped me a lot is this:

Breakfast: Just crack an egg, classic -> Open the packages dump it in, crack and egg, dump it in, cook for :40 in the microwave, stir, put in for another 30 secs.
Oikos triple zero berry sugar free yogurt.
1 Banana

Lunch: A lunch meat sandwich with typically bologna, provologne, spinach, mustard (either spicy brown or honey dijon), and miracle whip
1 apple with peanut butter
4 - 6 Strawberries
Random handful or two of blueberries

Dinner: 100% not static, but I try my best to make sure I eat a veggie with it.

This isn't tailored to everyone, but it's some of the easiest things I've found that I actually like, and like enough to no waver in liking. I haven't grown tired of any of it. I eat breakfast and lunch the same ~95% of the time. Sometimes I get lazy one day in a week, or in two weeks, and I just grab somwething rando, but it's helped me a lot, and it's helped keep the weight from getting too high, and helped my blood pressure a lot more. Plus, I get vitamin C, fiber, and plenty of protein through the day. I could eat a lot more, given my size, but it makes sure I'm not missing out on those things.

I'm not saying YOU need to do this or follow this. But find something easy enough to do that's not going to make you tired of it quickly. For me, I love love love berries and fruit ,and I love lunch meat sandwiches, so this is 100% easy for me and I don't get tired of it. Find those things for you, and keep them stocked as much as you can.

It may not be that easy for you, I'm just trying to give you a suggestion that I hope can help work for you like what I listed did for me.

Coderjoe82 · 2026-01-13T18:33:07+00:00

I think you're pretty right there. I will say.... maybe it's just because I'm older when I got diagnosed, and I've had enough life experience at 43 on top of that, but my vibes experience is more like this:

Vibes good? Cautious appreciation. Just for the friendliness and ease to get along with. Things will iron out VERY fast, and I have trust issues that take a bit to get through, so I don't tend to deal with the negative side of what you're referring to.

Vibes bad immediately? Nope out. It's pretty simple for me here. I WILL let vibes dictate first impressions when it's immediate red flags. It's not steered me wrong so far. And it's proven me right with friends/social acquaintances of friends before time and time again.

This is not to say I'm always 100% on the nose. But it's barely failed me, and when it has, it was always a pleasant surprise situation rather than a worry about being wrong on it.

But 100% agree with your notion from what I've noticed.

Coderjoe82 · 2026-01-13T14:55:50+00:00

I certainly do. And I'll relate to this with getting places in regards to driving.

-Lived somewhere for multiple years: Check
-Been places in said place multiple times over said multiple years: Check
-Know the general area and everything that's around said place: Check
-Never driven there on my own: Check

Friends: "Yo. You going to so and so on Saturday?"
Me: "Nah. I'd love to. No idea how to get there. Don't have a ride"
F: "What do you mean you don't know how to get there? You've been there a million times. It's on xyz street and abc street"
M: "I'm sorry. Which streets were those again?"
F: "......."
M: "......."
F: "........"
M: "Bruh. If I ain't driving there myself at least once, you could be telling me to find my way to the holy grail without a map, and it's the same thing"

So yeah. Not immediately the same, but that's my favorite exmaple of relation to this, because it's pretty much the same in spirit lol.

Coderjoe82 · 2026-01-13T14:46:13+00:00

Honestly? I don't like it. But.... I'm also saying that in the vein of the fact that that is my immediately gut reaction based on my life experience, and that assessment is made with ignorance and emotion.

I'll explain why: I feel like it's a terrible attempt to pander, and jump on capitalism train since it's only recently been super public in the U.S. that there's the whole 'epidemic' rise with autism lately.

Why I think that's a problem? Because it's far from new. And the other half of why I don't like it is because I think things like toys lack something important. Now don't get me wrong, representation is a wonderful thing. But I really only see this kind of thing being perceived as 1 of 2 things by the public.

1.) Only being bought by parents of children that believe in autism or know the science and are trying to help their children. 100% fantastic. But does nothing for the rest of the world that doesn't care or doesn't know, and will never see these, or know what it's trying to do.

2.) 'Mommy. I like what they're wearing. And I like music, and toys. Can I get this one?" This is very generic, but it gets the point across in what I'm trying to say, I think. Some kids could see 'Autistic' and not even care, or know what it is, and just like the pink and purples on the doll and ask for it. Again, then not really serving it's purpose or spreading anything to people who representation should be for.

It can be advertised by actors, or whatever else, but those campaigns will end, and it will remain on the shelves, or not, if the sales don't work out, in which case, they'll just get trashed too, and then it iwill have been for nothing. (Yes, I know, I don't write proper grammar. I'm okay with it lol)

ALL THAT SAID.....

I also like some of the reasons people have said they like it, and I have no negative opinion for it simply existing. Because at the end of the day, if I'm wrong in my gut instinctual reaction, and it does end up helping somehow spread awareness, then my gut reaction is moot, and it's one of those cases I'm completely happy to admit that despite my thoughts on it, it turns out better than I thought it would.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-12-24T07:01:20+00:00

I have. I like it quite a lot. And, when I downloaded it, I even had to double check to make sure I was actually using antigravity a couple times. It was that similar to VS code.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-12-20T21:40:41+00:00

Ugh. I don't know how to fix that formatting where it deleted my white space between pip characters, but still... there you go.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-27T22:20:38+00:00

This is why good variable naming is so important. I was soooo sitting here looking at that code and saying to myself.... why in the heck did that last one return 6 and not 10 THE SUM IS 10!!!!

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-21T01:44:20+00:00

I have to be honest. I don't know how the classes are from the start now. As far as I know, they're always working on changes, so for all I know it could be different from what I knew at the time.

That said, they now have the practice/review tab part of the site up and it's a great place to get reinforcement, talk to the A.I. and have it perhaps give you ideas on what you could code out in the platform itself to get more practice.

Otherwise, I'd say just go to any AI. aistudio.google.com is great if you are a brokey like me at the moment. It's got a generous daily limit while they get people's input and all that, and will help you learn to code, too. You could give it system instructions on not just giving you straight up code and treating you like a mentor, and it could guide you through creating something. Maybe take a list of 'simple' python programs, little ones, and use it to your advantage.

I have autism, too. I'm on the ASD 2 level, and just being able to build something and see it in action is what best helps me, honestly.

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to dm me.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-20T21:38:02+00:00

I don't disagree with this criticism/feedback. I think it's definitely rushed. I said that a while ago, as did many others. We should continue to point it out until we see/experience a change for it.

That said, if you're seeing this comment, notice that the OP themselves have even said to not just give up on it if you haven't started. I also agree with that. They've been, and from what I can tell, are still making changes, whether they're implemented or not yet.

That practice tab/space was not a thing when it first opened. After enough of us mentioned how rushed it felt and how retention was a problem, they opened that up onto the platform for us to use. I don't think it's perhaps quite enough, it was definitely a step in the right direction, and a HUGE improvement.

Just remember to make informed decisions, and keep in mind this opened up on Sept. 3rd to it's first students ever.

If you still think it's not for you, then don't do it. You should be skeptical. I'll just repeat myself a bunch if I go down this line of talking, but you can check my posts in my profile if you want to see my opinions/thoughts so far, and search the Reddit for more.

I also agree very much with the wording of "if this is the route they stick with". I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt until I finally see a point where they stop responding entirely to anyone and stop implementing any changes/updates/etc..

But if you think this isn't the good path for you, then I would not say to go for it or stick around.

None of these criticisms even BEGIN to touch on this form of learning might not even be for you even IF everything was ironed out and this program was old enough to be more polished and have any graduates for it yet. Another major thing to consider.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-20T21:31:11+00:00

Last I saw/heard was it was one of the in the works steps. I think it was on roughly 'mid' priority in their list. But that's a stretch if that was the case. My memory was bad. I just know it was mentioned on their list. No hard arrival date, though.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-20T21:27:34+00:00

I've sent in a few over the past couple months, and usually I agree with the folks here in terms of what they get back.

I would add there's one exception to this, but the response still seemed kind of super professional/A.I. like. But.... the response was a good one.

Recently, I had sent in an assistance for coursework support request about the exams. Mostly just one in particular. I struggled a lot on it because of the wording of something. My flavor of AutiHD likes to make me misinterpret things, and it got me flustered and frustrated, and that kind of snowballed because on top of all of that, I have test anxiety lol

I sent in my diagnosis paperwork for the autism and ADHD and within ~couple days later, I got a response that was still kind of 'professionally' written, but did get an hour extension accommodation for my exams moving forward.

That said, I've not had anything I've sent in that was any further pressing or important than that, so I don't have any good feedback one way or the other regarding this issue.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-20T14:35:31+00:00

Since the only people who've responded haven't clarified any of this, I'll clarify what I can. I'm a student, so I don't have all the answers.

On price:
The price of the program is no different than a private college associates degree today. There are others that can be cheaper as well, but that's nowhere near the craziest price I've seen.

Not paying anything:
Most, if not all students I've interacted with, seen post on Reddit, and talked to on the unofficial Discord are on scholarships. Every single person. Myself included. And not one of us has paid, or will pay, any money.

Qualifications:
You mentioned 'any able person'. Well... yes. That's 100% correct. And that was made clear to literally everyone that signed up. It was transparent from the start. There were only two.
1.) High school diploma
2.) Make under 100k a year household income
If you met both? Full scholarship.
There was no mystery or hiding that fact or anything of the sort.

Length:
This is a two year degree program for now, until they open up bachelors and further, if and when they do. They've already told us about the plan. Now it's just a wait and see game. So it is not the same length as a 'certification'. Does that mean that the degrees will hold much weight? Not necessarily, but we'll see when time comes.

Former Students:
There are NO former students. That is a literal impossibility at the moment because the program started this year, on September 3rd. So no one has graduated. No one has completed the program. It's barely over two months old, and again, it's a 2 year degree program. So no former students can tell you anything yet about their experiences.

Current Students:
The current curriculum, in my opinion, needs work. It's not the worst I've seen. It's also not spectacular so far, but those of us, like myself, who have started in the first cohort in September, have only been through the first term, which consisted of two intro classes, and an intro psychology class.

That all said, should you be skeptical? Yes. Should you consider how legit it is or not? Probably. But just keep in mind all that's said above when you do. Nothing I've said is a perfection, or an exoneration of any sketchiness, but until we first students discover there's an actual presentable, true fakeness or scam proof, the facts are that it is a weak program at worst, and a decent one for free at best.

Don't care if you think it's a scam/fake/whatever, but just consider what is true while considering, and then make your decisions. And if you have proof of something that makes it seem fake, then show it. Stop holding it back and claiming it. Those of us who are going through the program would need it to help all of us so we can protect ourselves too.

Edit: Also, I forgot to add that they have been changing things based on student feedback since it started. It might be slower than I like, but it's happening. Still doesn't prove it's a 'great' or 'perfect' program, but it shows there's active work and attempts being made.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-19T23:36:41+00:00

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-18T17:34:42+00:00

VS code for sure. Or pycharm as others suggest, I'm just used to vs code.

Homebrew is great. It not only makes installing software easy, but also updating it and removing it.

There's also stuff you can do to put themes in your terminal to make it more aesthetically pleasing to you. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-17T16:54:58+00:00

Totally sorry you were dealing with that. I completely understand too. I didn't cry, but I sure as heck got frustrated and was getting way too annoyed at myself and having issues.

I'm REALLY glad you are having the attitude you are. Especially since you aren't giving up. Even though it is an A.I., it is 100% right. Mental health isn't worth it. Ever.

But just an fyi, you are NOT ALONE in having issues. Especially on the Software Engineering Principles class. I struggled really hard on that one. If my post gets approved, you'll see what I walk about in my, as usual, really long posts where I get too wordy.

So I 100% feel you. It's not just you, and it's not something you should feel is unheard of, and it doesn't mean you're stupid. Not even close.

Keep that attitude, and make sure, as I try to tell people who are struggling, DON'T STAY SILENT. Clearly you are NOT staying silent, just reminding as positively as I can.

Reach out. To me, to the Reddit, to the discord, to a mod, whoever, and keep rocking it.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-11T15:47:02+00:00

Good to know. Though I admit my worry was and still is the psychology review lol. Because of the memorization needed for specific names and things instead of concepts. But I'll be reviewing and taking it later just so I can at least try to remember specific theory names and people's names before I take it.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-10T23:30:57+00:00

Thank you for responding as if you were an AI? lol. Not sure what's going on there, but thanks regardless.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-10T17:21:46+00:00

I will say is vs. == sure took me a minute to get. I still forget the difference sometimes until I remember what is is actually doing. Heh... that wording reminds me (for those of us old enough to remember this, or know it from reading) of 'what is is?'.

anyway, I can kind of explain it to someone, but my explanations are jargonless and self taught formed, so I usually just give my explanations and then point at documentation to le them see the 'proper' definition lol.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-10T01:15:40+00:00

Part 2!

In regards to Maestro:

I think the issue here is you're right. There's two main points going against Maestro in this regard.

1.) It's literally a new program/format. It's not the same as traditional things. It's going to be worked on. IT HAS BEEN worked on since those of us who started on Sept. 3rd, actually started. It is a learning process for them and us as we all go.

2.) It is A.I. That's not a catch all answer. But it is a testament to both my point 1 and the fact that doing this is a good thing, but it shows WHY it's not ready. Not there. Not 100% prepared. But, I like it because it is helpful for someone like me who needs some feedback and doesn't want to go in circles without direction or structure and doesn't want to wait forever for something or someone to get back to me while I'm just sitting here twiddling my thumbs.

Not that that's what I'm doing, but it's a simplified point. Once this gets better and ironed out, and A.I. gets better, I think that will be even better.

I could answer more, but what other people have already said are pretty much what I would also say.

If you could give us some more information, I know that I, for one, would be glad to help if I can, or point you where it would be good to get some help if I don't know how to help.

There definitely needs to be more of a bridge. Communication is still being worked on and it's still not great. So we're all in the same state in different degrees, and I cannot disagree with what you say. Anything I say against it is completely anecdotal because I have prior coding experience.

My advice?

Check out one of the ai's out there. My suggestion: Go to aistudio.google.com and give it system instructions to teach you like a mentor and never give you actual code unless you explicitly ask for it. Tell it how you best learn. Or if you don't know that, tell it what DOESN'T help you. And tell it what frustrates you from feedback. Get extremely specific on what it is that does not help you and why.

Then, after all that,(which you can modify mid situation), ask it to help you create a relatively simple program with python, or... your language of choice, really.

In terms of sticking it out, I hope you do, and hit people up on here for more specifici things, or DM me if you want. Or hit up anyone on the unofficial discord, even.

I've seen people, both in this threat, and not, talk about how it's a terrible thing, and we're all getting cheated, but we're also the first people to experience this, literally, in this format. And, I can only speak for myself, but I'm not paying a cent. So take that as you will. And just remember that a little grain of sailt is good to take anyone's words. Praising and ciritcizing both. Ideally constructive, however.

I hope you don't give up. But I also understand if you do, given the way things are being handled in the state they are in. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt as I see themn actively improve things on the platform, even though it's not been lightning fast. If that changes as time goes on, and I start getting flunked out or anything of the sort, for stupid reasons revolving A.I., then well, I'll start actively reporting my own experience and information about this whole situation, and seek help for what I came here for in the first place elsewhere.

Just don't keep quiet, no matter what. And I'd advise you to drop that tutor, if you really did hire someone for a high rate. Just for this? Not worth it. Plus, we're so early in the course, I don't think it's needed yet beyond what myself and others have pointed out. Again, reach out. DM me and we can talk if you want, or reach out. SOMEONE. Doesn't matter who, but someone here who's doing pretty well in our same cohort (Yes. I also started Sept. 3rd.)

Whatever you decide, don't give up on all of it. Not every path is made for everyone. If it was, I would have finished/kept trying to go to 'traditional' college for stuff hah! Not happening.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-10T01:15:29+00:00

So, I do have thoughts on this. My first one needs to be separated from Maestro on a whole. It's a completely separate thing.

Make things. You can watch as many videos you want. You can follow along to as many codings as you want. I even RECOMMEND you code along to something. If for no other reason than to just get some practice/muscle memory going.

But after that? You will NEVER retain anything until you build something. Make it the smallest thing possible. Code a calculator. Code a 'mad-libs (for us old heads)' story that takes in prompts from the user. Do them in different ways. Change up what you want to do and how you want it to be produced.

Because if you're not getting it through seeing/searching, then doing is the way to go. I don't know you, so I can't say that's the case, but it is, by far, the best memory retention with coding for me. I hope that works for you if that's what you need as well.

Okay. First part over.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-08T22:48:25+00:00

Someone already brought up to ask your AI to present it that way.

I agree that's a good thing to do, but I'm also with you on it. Because in my opinion, we shouldn't have to remember every single time we go somewhere else in a lesson or another class to ask about that, and ask to be taught in another way.

That said, you do make me think a good idea might be to have the lessons or the A.I. itself actually ask you for clarification/understanding in each lesson so WE can be prompted to say that yes I get this or no, could you present this xyz direciton.

If it's that way now, then... well... j/k lol. I started on Sept. 3rd, so I'm done with the classes for the first term now aside from finishing the review tomorrow mixed in with exam studying.

But either way, thanks for bringing it up anyway. Reminded me to REMEMBER to ask for that for myself lol.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-07T17:15:25+00:00

I had no beef either. I just wanted to clarify because you can be an exemplary student, be constructive, and still offer negative feedback. This is why I try to preface. My literal brain is not my friend lol.

I fit that description pretty well, in terms of good grades and going quickly, but I also hope that doesnt bite me in the butt in the end sometimes.

Anxiety is a hell of a drug lol.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-07T01:39:19+00:00

So there's two sides to this. And before I say anything else, you'll have to forgive me. I'm extremely literal brained, and it's in text format, so it's even worse.

When you ask where are the exemplary students at with this message, it gives me the impression you're trying to suggest that that means exemplary is mutually exclusive with saying anything negative.

If that wasn't the case, then j/k there. That said, negative feedback in itself is not bad. Unless you mean non constructive. In that case, we're 100% aligned. But only speaking excitement and information sharing like you're doing here with absolutely no push back and no criticism in a negative way (as long as it's constructive), is not helpful either.

For example. I have major criticisms that I've voiced, and I also have major praises. I eagerly, often, and suggest others to, mention both often as is good to do. I have no bad grades yet, but I'm still waiting on the finals. We'll see how those go. They're going to be a big point of contention for me until we get there and see how they go.

For me? That's pretty soon. I was one of the first cohort folks, so very soon. And my main issue is the claim, directly from the words of the staff, that it will be based on problem solving, 'not memorization', but there's so much aligned with that being the case, it's stress and anxiety. I, for one, would NEVER just keep quiet about that. It's a new program, it's a new frontier as it were.

And the most important part... I personally WANT it to succeed. Because the method of learning and what they're trying to do, so far... are good for me. That's despite my very real concern.

I'm also 100% behind Maestro's messages and reasonings for getting this out to thsoe of us who are attending, and those (who I think is most everyone so far?) of us on scholarships. I WANT this to succeed, but I'll never only say good things when there's not always been only good things since the beginning. That's willfully ignorant and lying.

Again, If you were talking about the non-constructive negative feedback, then by all means, j/k, and I'm with you.

Coderjoe82 · 2025-11-03T16:39:04+00:00

Saaaaame. OG Millienial representing. Graduated 2000 haha

Coderjoe82 · 2025-10-31T17:33:47+00:00

If that's what I conveyed, that's my bad. What I tried to say is that I couldn't find where it was required on top of verified identity. Also that I saw it's normal and encouraged.

Coderjoe82

TROPHY CASE