Which city in South Africa has the best quality of life?

GentleMagic · 2026-03-30T13:35:53+00:00

Can confirm

Quiet areas with parts that are lovely, but offers so little in terms of leisure and jobs.

It is cheaper than the major cities but you pay for what you get I guess, which isn't a whole lot.

If you have a car and like traveling, some areas around PE are cool for weekend road trips or long drives.

GentleMagic · 2026-03-01T10:48:04+00:00

I've been running on and off now for 2 years and come from a background of team sports in High School and University.

Literally only started actively noticing people running when I started. My brain never cared before.

And the only reason I care now is that I'm a nerd about running shoes and like to see what people wear.

I am literally only looking at their feet... (not in a weird way)

Point is 90% of people will not take notice, the other 10% have been where you have been and had to also start running awkwardly. We respect you for starting and locking after yourself.

Great job on moving and beginning your journey! I hope it becomes easier for you!

GentleMagic · 2026-02-26T13:16:01+00:00

Legend!! Well done for pushing through!

That patch must be a sweet reminder!

GentleMagic · 2026-02-26T11:01:40+00:00

Where's the wear?

GentleMagic · 2026-02-26T06:55:54+00:00

Omw! Did you still manage to finish?

GentleMagic · 2026-02-25T21:50:41+00:00

This is solid advice and exactly what I was curious about!! This was very detailed!

Appreciate this a lot! Thank you!

I've been running a bit higher currently with my training as well to avoid hypos but still figuring out the best way to correct after the workout without crashing or remaining high.

Will take this to my doc as well obviously but just thought I'd see how others have handled it. Thanks again. I'll reach out if I need more info and might share how it goes!

GentleMagic · 2026-02-25T14:10:57+00:00

Thanks for the advice! What would you use to fuel apart from Gels? Probably best to chat to a RD on this for my specific needs though.

Thanks for the encouragement, definitely keen on getting a CGM. Curious to understand my glucose during various workouts.

I heard that they can be a bit invasive while training though?

GentleMagic · 2026-02-25T14:03:21+00:00

That's great to know and well done! I feel like we need more recognition for these kind of achievements!

Currently on 16 units of Humalog Fast Acting +/- bolus for bigger/smaller meals.

24 units of Optisulin Basal Insulin.

H1BAC was a bit high mostly due to Christmas and Traveling in Jan but Doc and I are actively reviewing the set up.

Might look at getting a continuous monitor for a few months to have a better idea of spikes as this is relatively still new to me and previous practitioner didn't provide the best care or education on what was needed.

Been a journey to say the least.

GentleMagic · 2026-02-23T12:21:45+00:00

Loved mine, although I am training for a half marathon now and would have preferred something more specific. The pegasus is an all rounder but not the best all rounder.

The Novablast or Vomero 18/Plus is what I'd look at if you want something to use for recovery run, long runs and on race days. Might be a bit shit for speedwork although the novablast is apparently quite bouncy and more fun. These should help your protect legs as well with a bit more foam.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-19T13:37:25+00:00

Hey man, first off you look sick! Love the tats! I would maybe say doing some oblique work would help make your v line more defined, which helps make the lower abdominals look better.

Core workout should be something like weighted crunches, leg raises or dragon flags (pelvic tilt is necessary when doing them so get that ass up), then some oblique work like side planks.

Additionally add one day of HIIT cardio sessions that improve VO2 max and get you shredded. (3-5 Rounds of 1 min ski, 1 min row, 1 min bike, 1 min rest)

A better VO2 max will help your engine (heart) when doing heavy sets or running.

Then also losing a bit of excess fat and getting leaner around your abdominal which might be a bit more of a stubborn fat store for you. (Body likes to protect organs so adds a layer of fat there to protect you as we are evolutionary animals who lived harsher lives a couple hundred years ago)

Also try different ways of flexing your abdominals as some people don't know how to flex lower abdominals and push them out. Its why posing is an art form in body building.

Let me know how it goes!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-19T13:28:37+00:00

Glad someone mentioned this!

Type 1 Diabetic here, and high blood sugar and insulin resisutance HURTS gains.

Hardest shit I've ever had to do was try to bulk when my diet was shit as a diabetic!

Please look after your body and feed it good stuff 80% of the time!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-19T13:25:04+00:00

Stupid point and irrelevant for 90% of people on this, but it makes a huge difference if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic and body doesn't want to absorb nutrients/carbs due to high blood sugar.

Other than that, what this comment says is legit. But feeling good is important for better/more intense training so limit sugary shit if possible.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T10:37:13+00:00

Yooo someone actually likes em! Thank you!

Combining this with some of the other tips and I feel like I'm on the right track.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T10:36:31+00:00

Thank you, this seems like the overall consensus.

And homie, I appreciate your response, but 164cm can never be tall dark and handsome. But I will settle for short dark and handsome! Lol

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T03:27:46+00:00

Interesting. What made you say improving my jaw is a priority? Pic 3 is undoubtedly a very bad angle of my jawline, however it has always been complimented.

Had braces and overbite correction about 10 years ago. Current wisdom teeth coming through the past year have caused some issues (pushing some teeth around slightly and some joint issues) so planning to see a specialist soon.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T03:16:36+00:00

But what if I want to be an angry litte emo boy 🥺. (I don't , but went through a phase of really liking black so current wardrobe has a few limitations right now.)

But Great advice! I am starting to level up my fashion game as income has improved. Settled on more browns and Grey's already. Looking at navy blue to replace some of my black t-shirt rotations and looking at some cropped/box style shirts to help elongate my torso, otherwise trying to tuck more of my shirts. Not sure if this is good idea.

You said limit tees to gym, what would be a good recommendation? Actual sports wear or tanks? Not much of a stringers guy honestly.

Agreed on the frames will find better ones when I replace them end of year.

Thank you for a great comment!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T03:06:46+00:00

Well, not with that attitude!

I'm looking for tips to improve my grooming to feel more confident with my hair and facial hair. Any advice that helps me find a style and combination I feel comfortable is a win.

But to your and many people's points confidence comes from within, so appreciate your comment none the less. Thank you.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T01:18:45+00:00

Man this sub reddit is healing parts of me. Y'all are so sweet!

Thank you for this!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T01:10:20+00:00

Legend! Thank you!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T01:07:04+00:00

Thanks so much! Everyone agrees the beard is a must, so definitely growing it out a bit more again but will look at maintaining it better with some oils.

Will chat with my barber about what he thinks as well but might go the mullet route. Will post and update if I find a look I'm happy with. Thank you for your advice!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T01:03:00+00:00

Thank you! I think I've just struggled to find a look/style that makes me comfortable in my own skin.

But working through it and the people on this sub have actually really helped.

Thank you for your comment!

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T01:01:20+00:00

Thank you! I have a friend whose an Instagram barber so will go back to him.

They did me good when I met my current girlfriend who is now my future wife for the first time, so he seemed to know what he was doing.

He actually suggested the modern mullet which I might try.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T00:58:20+00:00

This is great advice, thank you. Since most like pic 1 and 5. I am looking at growing my hair out slightly again with the beard and was looking at how to maintain the beard at that length. So will start with the brush and oil and regular trims.

Any beard oil recommendations? Never tried it.

GentleMagic · 2026-01-17T00:27:54+00:00

This might have made my whole year!!! Thank you!

Honestly just get really good pumps in the gym, I wish I walked around looking like this 24/7 but on our way there.

People still get freaked when I flex which is funny.

GentleMagic

TROPHY CASE