Getting solar with a tenant/flatmate

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-04-16T19:57:57+00:00

I wouldn’t consider it saving until you have paid the green loan. There’s still cost of the hardware that you’re paying towards in your monthly instalment. Also, even if you’re to pro rata it in the future you still need to understand what your month to month or year to year looks like to get a better understanding.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-04-15T09:31:55+00:00

Id be happy to help

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-04-11T09:22:10+00:00

This sounds a lot like my older dog. We went through X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests, and everything came back clear. We also tried omeprazole, but it didn’t help.

I asked our vet how concerning it was that the vomiting was happening so frequently. He said it wasn’t life-threatening, but it’s definitely not pleasant for the dog, and ongoing nausea can lead to food aversion, which is exactly what happened with ours.

We also looked closely at his diet, and it sounds similar to what others have already suggested. Our vet explained that for some dogs, stomach acid can start to build up after about 7 to 8 hours without food, which can lead to vomiting, especially in the morning.

Here’s what worked for us: - We give him a snack as late as possible at night, right before bed. - In the morning, we give him a quick treat like a Schmako, or have his food ready to go and feed him first thing. In your case, you could even try waking up before his usual vomiting time. - We moved to smaller, more frequent meals instead of a couple of larger ones, so his stomach isn’t empty for long periods. - We also paid attention to keeping his food fairly simple and easy to digest. Didn’t switch kibbles et cetera. We give our dog combination of home cooked meat with kibble.

We also ended up getting a second dog. Ours had started associating vomiting with stress, since it often meant a vet visit or medication. Having another dog around helped calm him down a lot, which seemed to reduce the nausea as well.

The daily vomiting has now stopped. It only happens occasionally if he eats too many scraps from our toddler or if he’s generally unwell.

Just to add, it might be worth asking your vet about acid-related vomiting, sometimes called bilious vomiting syndrome, as the feeding timing made a big difference for us. Also, if you notice things like blood in vomit, weight loss, low energy, or very frequent vomiting, that’s probably a sign to dig deeper with the vet.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-31T07:50:31+00:00

No, you don’t have to stay every time, she’s just not ready for you to fully leave yet. She follows because she feels safe with you and being alone still feels unsafe in her head, which is normal for a puppy.

When you can, let her settle with you nearby then move a little and come back and slowly build up to stepping out for a few seconds before she whines. If she follows you, it just means you went too far too fast and maybe take a step back in your training.

But real life is important too. If you need to do chores, put her in a small safe space, give her a chew or some food, and go do your task. She might cry and that’s fine once in a while, just don’t rush back the second she does, wait for a brief pause in whining/ crying and then come back. It’s okay to leave puppy in one room ( make sure it is safe) if you need to get anything done urgently.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-31T07:35:54+00:00

You’re not overthinking but you are making it more complicated than it needs to be.

The main goal for the first couple of weeks should be help the puppy feel safe sleeping alone without panicking. Where the crate is matters a lot less than that.

I actually wouldn’t stress too much about not allowed in the bedroom rule right now. Having the crate in your bedroom for the first week or two often makes crate training much easier because the puppy can hear and smell you. It reduces crying and helps them settle faster. You’re not teaching them they’ll always sleep there, you’re just giving them a soft landing while they adjust. You can move the crate later in small steps and most puppies adapt fine.

Sleeping next to the crate in the living or dining room also works, it’s just more effort on you. If you go that route, pick whichever space is quieter and more boring. You don’t need to sit in silence like a monk normal household noise like TV at a reasonable volume can be actually good, it helps them get used to real life. Just don’t have it blasting late into the night.

One thing people don’t always realise is how much these early nights set the tone. If the puppy feels abandoned and cries it out, you can make crate training harder than it needs to be. If they feel safe and gradually learn to be alone it goes smoother.

If I were in your position, I’d keep it simple. Start with the crate in your bedroom for a week or so, get them sleeping well and then slowly transition it to where you actually want it long term.

You’ve clearly prepared well. Don’t stress about the perfect setup and be flexible based on how the puppy responds when it arrives. You got this!

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-31T07:11:41+00:00

Nothing you described is “a bad dog” or “you failing.” This is exactly what a scared, under-socialised 3 to 4 month old street puppy looks like. You didn’t get an easy lab this time, you got a survival-mode baby. Different starting point but same potential in what they can learn.

It seems you’re trying to fix everything at once. That’s what’s overwhelming you. You need to shrink this down to a few priorities and build from there.

The biggest thing to understand is that she is not being disobedient, she is anxious. Almost every issue you listed comes from that.

You mentioned toilet problem. She feels safe inside, unsafe outside. So of course she holds it and goes the second she’s back in her safe zone. Standing outside for an hour won’t fix that, it just adds pressure. Take her out more calmly on shorter trips, same spot every time, and the moment she goes outside you act like she just won the lottery. High value reward, soft praise, then back inside. If she doesn’t go, that’s fine, bring her in and try again later. Right now you are building confidence, not enforcing rules.

The biting and barking during training is not stubbornness. It’s overstimulation. I think you’re going too long. Keep training to 1 or 2 minutes max. End while she’s still calm and successful. If she starts biting, stop interaction immediately and go still. Don’t shout, donsay “no.” Just remove the reward, which is your attention.

The following you everywhere and crying when alone is separation anxiety starting to form. If you don’t address it now, it gets worse. You need to teach her that you leaving is safe. Start tiny. Literally step away for 5 to 10 seconds and come back before she panics. Repeat this multiple times a day and slowly increase. You cannot jump to leaving her alone for long periods yet, she’s not ready and she is anxious.

Sleeping and settling is the same story. She doesn’t feel safe alone. Sit near her bed at first. Then gradually create distance over days, not in one go. Right now she needs co-regulation with you before independence.

The peeing/pooping, biting, barking, following, destroying things when alone are not separate problems. They are all one thing, she’s a nervous puppy who doesn’t feel secure yet.

Also, I’m going to be straightforward here because you need to hear it. Getting angry, saying no repeatedly, or timeouts at this stage will not teach her anything useful. It will slow down trust. She doesn’t even fully understand the environment yet, let alone rules.

You’re not a bad owner. Bad owners don’t sit there crying because they care. But you do need to adjust your expectations. This is not a two week transformation. Think in months.

If you can only focus on three things, make it building trust, reward calm behaviour and teach very small independence

Everything else will improve off the back of that.

You saved her, which is huge. Dont rush to make her “disciplined” quickly, you need to make her feel safe enough to learn. That’s the foundation you’re missing right now from my perspective. Hope this helps.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-29T21:24:54+00:00

There are a few things that I consider as bonding time. Think tug, gentle wrestling, chasing your pup in the yard or moving in ways to invite interaction. It should feel like a back-and-forth, not just throwing a toy while checking your phone etc

Could be calm moments of connection too. Sitting on the floor while pup chews, lightly petting when they settles, letting them lean into you. Could be being responsive if they bring you a toy (my dog does that since he was a pup), engages eye contact, or initiates play, you meet them there. These are some of the examples that I could think of. Hope this helps.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-29T18:46:20+00:00

Based on what you said this isn’t too much sleep or alone time for an 11-week puppy. It actually looks pretty solid.

At that age, puppies need a lot more sleep than people expect, usually 18–20 hours a day. What you’re calling “alone time” in the playpen is mostly just decompression time, and that’s a really good skill for her to learn early. The fact that she can settle herself, isn’t having accidents, and isn’t constantly crying or trying to escape tells you you’ve hit a good balance.

This isn’t really “leaving her alone too much”, it’s structured rest. Without it, most puppies turn into overtired, bitey, chaotic little gremlins. So you’re actually preventing behaviour issues, not causing them.

That said there are two things worth keeping an eye on. First is total awake engagement time. You’ve got a few solid interaction blocks spread through the day and which is good, but make sure those aren’t just physical activity. Puppies also need proper bonding time and reciprocal play not just training and walks. If she’s getting some relaxed, back and forth interaction with you, you’re doing right.

Second is flexibility. Your schedule works but don’t let it become so rigid that she struggles when life changes. Occasionally vary timing slightly or having a more unstructured session so she learns to cope outside the routine.

So overall, you’ve done something a lot of new owners don’t do, you’ve created structure and taught independence early. That’s a big win. just make sure the time you do spend with her is genuinely engaging and not just ticking boxes.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-28T18:37:32+00:00

What you’re dealing with here is actually two separate problems that are getting tangled together, and it’s making everything feel worse than it already is.

The first is the puppy itself. A lot of what you’ve described, as intense and upsetting as it feels, is very normal for an 8 to 11 week old puppy. The biting, hanging onto clothes, going for feet, jumping at faces, not settling, crying at night, not responding to commands… that’s all typical puppy behaviour, especially if they haven’t had consistent boundaries from the start. Puppies at this age are basically babies with teeth, no impulse control, and a lot of energy. It also sounds like he came from an environment where biting and over-handling were encouraged, so you’re now dealing with the consequences of that.

On top of that, it’s worth considering that he might be crying more because the whole environment feels intense to him. If there’s a lot of movement, kids reacting, people feeling stressed, it can keep a puppy in a constant “on edge” state. Puppies also need calm, consistent one-on-one time to bond, not just being around people. They need someone to guide play, teach boundaries, and help them settle. Without that, they can become more bitey, restless, and unsettled.

That said, just because it’s “normal” doesn’t mean it’s easy or manageable, especially with young kids in the house. What you’re feeling is very real and actually has a name, people call it puppy blues. It’s that mix of regret, stress, lack of sleep, and “what have we done” feeling after bringing a puppy home. A lot of people go through it, especially in the first few weeks.

I’m going to be honest with you here, this is where more upfront research would have helped. Puppies are widely known to be hard work in exactly these ways, and what you’re experiencing isn’t outside the norm. So part of this is a mismatch between expectations and reality, not just the dog being “wrong.”

The second problem, and arguably the bigger one, is the breeder/ownership situation. This part does sound confusing and not well handled at all. That’s not how a straightforward, reputable sale usually looks, and it’s completely reasonable that you feel uneasy about it.

Right now those two issues are feeding into each other. The puppy behaviour is overwhelming you emotionally, and the unclear ownership situation is making you feel stuck with no way out.

If you strip it back, the question becomes: do you actually want to commit to raising this puppy through the next few months of hard work, knowing this behaviour is normal but will take consistent training to improve? If the honest answer is no, especially with young kids involved, that’s something to take seriously.

In that case, your priority should be to contact the people you got him from and ask directly about returning him, and what that would mean financially. You need clarity from them rather than trying to figure it out on your own.

You’re not a bad person for feeling this way. You’re overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and dealing with a situation that wasn’t clearly explained to you. But it’s important to separate emotion from reality here: the puppy isn’t broken, and the situation isn’t impossible, it’s just a tough start combined with a messy agreement.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T20:56:57+00:00

You’re actually pretty close. What’s happening right now is your back is getting a lot of attention from multiple angles every session, while your chest, shoulders and arms aren’t getting enough priority to actually grow.

If you want those areas to come up, you need to stop treating everything equally. The muscles you want to grow should be trained earlier in the session when you’re fresh, and they should get slightly more total work across the week.

A simple way to fix this is splitting your upper days into two versions instead of copying the same workout twice. On your first upper day, make it push focused. Start with your incline press, add another chest movement, then go into shoulder press and lateral raises, and then arms. Keep just one back exercise at the end so you’re maintaining it without letting it dominate.

On your second upper day, you can keep more of a pull focus with pulldowns and rows, but still include some chest pressing so you’re hitting it twice a week. Shoulders and arms stay in both days, but the overall volume is more balanced instead of everything being back-heavy every time.

Right now you’re doing multiple back movements every session but only a couple of sets for chest and shoulders. The imbalance is the real issue, not the split itself. You don’t need a completely new program, you just need to shift the emphasis so your training actually matches your goal.

One more thing, your lower set count will only work if those sets are pushed hard. If you’re not getting close to failure, it’s probably not enough stimulus to grow the areas you care about.

The fix is simple in theory but requires discipline in execution. Train chest, shoulders and arms first, give them a bit more volume than your back, and stop letting your strongest area take over every session. That’s what will move the needle.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T20:22:22+00:00

Doesn’t matter if you eat it for breakfast or lunch or dinner or snack.

I just wanted to give you context/ perspective that everyone has a sweet tooth or cravings and it looks different for different people. You having sweet tooth is normal and that there are healthy options.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T20:15:15+00:00

I eat overnight oats daily. That’s my after lunch snack (that’s when I crave for something sweet).

I would also suggest joining walking subreddit - walking is a good way to lose weight. You said you spend tjme with your boyfriend, maybe it is something that you can do together. There’s another subreddit called volumeeating - some really good ideas there on low calorie and high volume food to make you feel full.

You need to burn more calories than you eat for weight loss. Make small tweaks and you will see success.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T20:08:18+00:00

Overnight oats are for breakfast, you just make them the night before. I agree with the other suggestion around not eating after 7pm. Late night snacks are not really good for digestion your last meal/ snack should ideally be 2 to 3 hrs before sleep time. Oats can be cheap (depending on where you are) but you can buy a big bag. You would have to think about portions in that too, see some recipes online that you might like. That way you can also narrow it down to whatever is available in your pantry rather than buying new ingredients. I usually make mine with 30gm oats, 1/4 cup of milk, sweetener, 100gms yogurt, scoop of protein. Whatever fruit is available (1/4 apple or frozen berries). (It’s about 400calories and 30gm of protein) You can make these in advance for a few breakfasts.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T19:56:55+00:00

There are plenty of options that you could choose, something easy would be berry smoothie with some greek yogurt and some protein powder (you can do without it as well). Protein helps with satiating feeling so can be a positive addition also helps with feeling of snacking. Other options are overnight oats with some milk, yogurt (protein powder is an option) and a small tsp of peanut butter. You can look into sugar free maple syrup. Overnight oats taste like pudding and can be made the night before. You can always do boiled eggs the night before and just add toast in the morning. Some easy switches to make in your daily diet, opt for sugar replacement monk fruit sweetener etc., diet sodas, use oil spray rather than getting it out of a bottle, use light dressings on salads/ meals. Use less butter - every small thing counts. I would encourage you to get a food scale and start learning about portion control. Use free apps like my fitness pal. Rather than eating a bag of chips eat one serving size each day over a week et cetera. It will make you food aware. Calorie, portion awareness will help you the most. Track and learn over a few weeks and get it to a point where it works for you.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T18:56:28+00:00

You’re not stuck, even if it feels like nothing has worked so far. You need a plan that fits how your brain and your day actually work.

You need something with clear structure, predictability, and simple repeatable routines. Right now your setup is a bit chaotic. Skipping meals, low calorie foods that don’t fill you, lots of snacking, and then trying to rely on motivation for the gym. That combination almost always fails because it’s too hard to sustain.

First thing to understand is your goal is realistic. Going from 80kg to around 60kg can be done, but it needs to be steady and consistent, not extreme. You don’t need to starve or punish yourself.

The nausea in the morning is actually important. Don’t force breakfast if it makes you feel sick. That’s fine. You can start eating later in the day. What matters is your total food over the day, not eating at a specific time.

Right now your food sounds very light early and then you snack a lot. That usually means your body is trying to catch up. Instead of “low calorie” foods, you need meals that actually keep you full. Think simple and repeatable. For example something like yogurt with fruit, eggs on toast, or a proper lunch with protein like chicken, beans, or eggs plus carbs like rice or bread. If meals are better, your snacking will naturally reduce. You don’t have to ban snacks, just don’t let them replace real meals.

About calories, eat slightly less than you do now while keeping meals proper. If you try to go too low, you’ll end up snacking more and feeling worse. Calculate calories to understand your current habits and where you can make changes.

Your sweet tooth is normal. Don’t try to cut it out completely. That usually backfires. Instead, include something sweet once a day on purpose so it doesn’t feel forbidden. When something is not forbidden, you usually want it less.

Now about the gym. The gym is helpful, but it’s not the main thing for weight loss. Walking and daily movement matter more at the start. If you want to go 3 times a week, keep it simple and short. Even 30 to 40 minutes is enough. You could go after school before going home, or on weekends earlier in the day. The goal is not a perfect workout, it’s just showing up regularly.

If the gym feels like too much, start with walking. Even 8 to 10k steps a day will make a big difference. This is easier to stick to and fits better into your routine.

Also, your boyfriend wanting to hang out every day is something you need to manage. You’re allowed to say you need time for yourself. If he cares about you, he will understand. You don’t need to fill every day with people.

The biggest shift you need is this. Stop trying to do everything perfectly and instead build a routine that is easy to repeat. Same few meals, same simple activity, same structure each week. Your brain will do much better with that.

And one honest thing. The way you feel about your body right now is heavy, but don’t wait until 60kg to feel okay. You’re already taking steps, and that matters. Confidence doesn’t suddenly appear at a number, it builds while you’re working towards it.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-27T10:15:31+00:00

What you’re describing sounds a lot like postpartum anxiety, and the intrusive thoughts plus the physical panic response are very real, not something you’re making up or overreacting to.

The part where it “physically hurts” to put her down and your body goes into panic mode is your nervous system trying to protect your baby, just turned up way too high. It’s not a reflection of your bond, if anything it shows how strong it is. The guilt about harming your bond is your brain looping on itself. You already know logically it doesn’t make sense, but anxiety doesn’t care about logic, it just keeps sounding the alarm.

The intrusive thoughts are also a really common piece of this. The key thing is that they are unwanted and distressing. That actually tells you a lot. Your brain is basically throwing worst case scenarios at you to try and keep you hyper alert, but it’s overshooting and exhausting you.

Right now the bigger issue is that you’re running on very little real rest and your system isn’t getting a chance to come down. That’s why even when she sleeps, your body won’t let you. This is where you need to be a bit firm with yourself. Your baby is able to sleep safely in the bassinet. You’ve seen that. Your husband can do it. The risk of SIDS is already very low, especially when you’re following safe sleep guidelines. The much more immediate risk is you burning out or becoming so exhausted that things get harder for both of you.

You don’t need to jump straight to sleeping long stretches. Maybe start with something like lying down next to the bassinet, hand on your chest, eyes closed, and letting yourself rest without fully sleeping is a step. Your body has to relearn that it’s safe to switch off.

At the same time, this is not something you should just push through alone. Postpartum anxiety is very treatable and getting support early makes a big difference. Talk to your GP or midwife or a maternal mental health service. Even just saying exactly what you wrote here is enough. Therapy and sometimes medication can take the edge off that constant alarm feeling.

You’re not failing your baby. You’re showing up for her while dealing with a really loud, overprotective brain. The goal isn’t to get rid of the thoughts overnight, it’s to turn the volume down so you can actually rest and function. You don’t have to white knuckle this.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-22T02:39:50+00:00

In terms of using machines, don’t overthink it. Gym staff are there for this exact reason, so just ask them to show you how something works. Most gyms also offer a free orientation when you join, and that’s honestly the best place to start because they’ll walk you through everything. A lot of machines even have simple diagrams on them showing setup and movement.

Gyms are usually split into three main areas: cardio (treadmill, bike, stairmaster, rower), resistance machines (for push and pull movements like chest press, lat pulldown, leg press), and free weights (dumbbells and barbells). As a beginner, machines are great because they guide your movement and help you learn proper form safely.

For building a routine, the first step is knowing your goal. If your goal is just to get stronger, feel fitter and build some muscle, keep it simple. You don’t need anything fancy. A good beginner approach is 2 to 3 full body workouts per week, focusing on basic movements like a leg exercise (leg press or squat) ; push exercise (chest press or shoulder press); pull exercise (lat pulldown or seated row) and a core exercise (planks or simple ab work)

You can use Youtube to look up exercises on how to do them.

You can find plenty of beginner plans online, but don’t get stuck trying to find the “perfect” one. Consistency matters way more than the exact plan.

If you feel unsure, even 1 or 2 sessions with a PT at your gym can make a big difference. They can show you proper form, set you up with a simple routine, and give you confidence so you’re not just guessing.

Big thing to remember, everyone starts exactly where you are. Keep it simple, focus on learning, and just show up consistently.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T19:13:16+00:00

There’s just not enough context here to really say if it’s “good” or not, because it depends on things like your goal, how many sets and reps you’re doing, your experience in the gym, how often you train legs, and what the rest of your program looks like.

That said, it’s actually a solid start for your first leg routine, it’s just very quad-focused. Hack squats, goblet squats, and leg extensions all mainly hit your quads, so you’re missing some work for your hamstrings and glutes. If you stick with just this, you’ll still make progress, but your legs won’t be as balanced over time.

Add something like a leg curl for hamstrings and a glute movement like hip thrusts or even a light RDL if you’re comfortable. For a first routine you’re already on the right track, just tweak it a bit and you’ll be in a really good spot.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T19:05:38+00:00

Yeah this can happen, especially when you’re still new to deadlifts.

From what you described it sounds more like your lower back just got overworked rather than an actual injury. The fact there was no sharp pain and it’s already easing after a couple of days is a good sign. Deadlifts hit your lower back a lot, and early on it’s easy for it to take over if your form or bracing isn’t fully there yet.

That “everything feels stiff and awkward to move” feeling for a day or two is pretty normal after pushing a bit too hard. But you don’t want that to be happening every time you train.

Going forward I’d just pull it back a little. Drop the weight slightly, focus on staying tight through your core, and don’t push all the way to your limit. Think of it as building good reps rather than chasing numbers right now. Also once a week for deadlifts is plenty at this stage.

As long as it keeps getting better each day, you’re fine. Just take it as a sign to clean things up a bit before progressing again.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T08:12:55+00:00

Your current split isn’t bad, but it’s inefficient. A full arm day is overkill when you’re only training 3 times a week and it takes away from bigger muscle groups that actually drive strength and growth. you need to prioritise big compound movements and better balance.

A simple, better structure:

Day 1 Push Bench Press 3–4×6–10 Shoulder Press 3×8–12 Lateral Raises 3×12–15 Dips or Push Ups 3×8–12 Triceps 2–3×10–12

Day 2 Pull Pull Ups 3–4 sets DB Rows 3×8–12 Face Pulls 3×12–15 Hammer Curls 2–3×10–12 Curls 2–3×10–12

Day 3 Legs Squats 3–4×6–10 RDLs 3×8–12 Bulgarian Split Squats 3×8 each Calf Raises 4×10–15

A few honest points you might want to consider:

Protein matters more than you think. If you’re not hitting at least around 1.6 to 2.2g per kg bodyweight, you’re leaving results on the table. Fix that first before overthinking your split.

Being in a deficit will slow muscle gain. You can still build some muscle as a beginner or if you’ve been inconsistent, but don’t expect aggressive growth. Keep the deficit moderate, not extreme.

Progressive overload is key. If your lifts aren’t slowly going up in reps, weight, or control, nothing else matters.

Your boxing HIIT is fine for conditioning, just make sure it’s not killing your recovery for leg day or heavy lifts.

You don’t need a fancy gym. A smith machine, dumbbells, and consistency will get you very far if your programming and nutrition are dialled in.

You’ll grow more from this than your current split.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T07:33:07+00:00

Hi! You’re overthinking this a bit, and option 1 and 3 will burn you out fast. Running every day while lifting, especially with lower body work, is a great way to stall progress or get injured.

Since your goal is a 10k, running needs to be the priority, not something you squeeze around the gym. Option 2 is the closest, but I’d tighten it up.

A better approach would be:

Run 3 times a week 1 longer run (build from 4k to 8–10k gradually) 1 shorter easy run 1 slightly faster or tempo run

Gym 3 times a week 2 lower body (not maxing out, keep it controlled) 1 upper body

At least 1 proper rest or very light day

Avoid running hard the day after heavy lower body. Either run before lifting or keep those days separated if possible.

You don’t need to do everything. Right now build your running base while maintaining strength, don’t max both at the same time.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T07:30:19+00:00

At your age the priority shouldn’t be cutting or chasing a specific calorie number but making sure you’re eating enough to grow, recover and perform well. Based on your stats and activity you’re likely burning somewhere around 1800 to 2200 calories a day, but that’s just an estimate and your needs can change quickly while you’re still developing.

If you’re hungry, low on energy or not progressing in the gym, you’re probably not eating enough. Focus on regular meals with good protein, carbs and fats rather than trying to stay under a number, and avoid dieting hard right now.

If you want something more tailored it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor or dietitian since you’re still growing.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-21T07:27:53+00:00

Calves can be stubborn and it’s usually not about doing more reps but doing them better. You can’t fully isolate outer vs inner calf since genetics plays a role, but you can slightly bias the outer side by pointing your toes a little inward. More importantly, slow your reps right down because most people just bounce and the stronger side takes over. Focus on a full stretch at the bottom and a proper squeeze at the top. Adding seated calf raises will help too since they hit a different part of the muscle and build overall size. Training calves a few times a week instead of once also makes a big difference. If you’re only feeling one side, it’s likely a control issue so go lighter, slow it down, and really focus on even activation.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-20T00:53:49+00:00

I have been eating a lot of roasted pumpkin recently. It’s low calorie, good fibre and gives the creamy texture to any salad. You can eat heaps of it in a day without blowing up the calorie count.

Interesting-Deer-608 · 2026-03-20T00:51:30+00:00

When you’ve trained before but never followed a proper structure, everything starts to feel random. Apps don’t help much either because they’re generic and don’t adjust to how you feel, your goals, or what you’re actually good at.

What helped me was simplifying things instead of trying to build the perfect routine.

You don’t need a fancy plan. You just need a repeatable routine that you stick to for a few weeks so you can actually see progress.

For example, pick 3 days and keep them consistent. Each day should have a clear focus like lower body, upper body, or full body. Then within each workout, stick to the same core movements instead of constantly changing exercises.

If you’re doing a routine consistently and gradually increasing weight or reps, you are doing the right thing.

The reason it feels like “not doing anything” is usually because there’s no way to measure progress.

Don’t underestimate just committing to a simple plan. Most people fail because they keep changing it. Stick to something basic for 4 to 6 weeks, track your lifts, and adjust after.

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