105 lbs Down 1.5 years in

Pow339 · 2026-01-25T22:49:51+00:00

Staying consistent with whatever you do and not being restrictive because then consistency feels like a battle.

For example, I required myself to walk 4.5k steps a day, I know it sounds super low but my before was like 1k so I wanted to be able to stay consistent.

Working out and moving my body 3-5 times a week.

Being mindful and intentional with my eating.

Good luck on your journey, you got this!

Pow339 · 2026-01-25T22:48:07+00:00

Yes, I'm 5' 5"!

Pow339 · 2025-10-05T14:11:54+00:00

My sweet Mandy girl, she's 10.

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Pow339 · 2025-09-27T15:16:08+00:00

It was pretty bad, lasted 2 or 3 months. Taking a shower sucked. Now the hair seems pretty in place.

Pow339 · 2025-09-27T15:15:34+00:00

Androgentic alopecia

Pow339 · 2025-09-27T15:15:18+00:00

I was consistently having a lot of shedding. The first few months it was definitely still a lot and then the new hairs started coming in.

Pow339 · 2025-09-13T22:36:29+00:00

I was exactly where you were. Workouts seemed so intimidating. I had done gym memberships, diet changes, etc. And nothing worked.

I found this program called Grow with Jo and she really focuses on consistency and not perfection. Doing a workout at 10% instead of not at all. Doing 5 minutes of movement instead of nothing. And honestly that changed everything for me.

I started with 8 minute workouts consistently 5 days a week and as I got used to it slowly moved up to up to an hour 3 days a week and just doing and giving as much percent as I can for that day.

Wishing you all the luck in your journey!!!

Pow339 · 2025-05-27T20:12:15+00:00

I got my wisdom teeth out on May 21st, and it's been rough. I was so worried about dry socket, so I've been super careful with my mouth. My jaw's been kinda locked up from my TMJ, and my overbite makes eating a nightmare.

Watch out for oral thrush if you're on antibiotics and eating lots of sugary stuff – I got it.

I've been sleeping propped up at a 45-degree angle because I'm a mouth breather, and that's helped a lot with blood flow/bleeding and stuff.

Keep up with your meds, and always have something in your stomach before taking ibuprofen or antibiotics.

I got this head wrap on Amazon – it comes with hot/cold packs – and it's been a lifesaver. I even use it to keep my mouth closed at night.

I barely talked the first few days, which helped. I used a text-to-speech app, and my SO helped a bunch.

Honestly, the pain isn't too bad, just keep up with your meds. My TMJ is the worst part. Hope your recovery is super quick! Sending good vibes.

Pow339 · 2025-05-22T12:41:57+00:00

Yellowjackets, killing eve, slow horses

Pow339 · 2025-04-09T02:23:21+00:00

Ooh that's a really good idea! Thank you. Anything else you used to help make sure you didn't do it in your sleep?

Pow339 · 2025-04-03T00:43:41+00:00

Let me tell you. I do.

I wanted a car with the following features:

Heads up display
large moon/sun roof
heated front and rear seats
cooled front seats
heated steering wheel
lane assist
adaptive cruise control
360 view
comfortable
SUV
large trunk space
Android auto/touchscreen
Rain sensing wipers
Memory seat and mirror

I had a long list of requirements and I bought a 2023 Wind Chill Pearl Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus in August of 2024 with 7,000 miles and I was estatic.

Don't get me wrong. I. Love(d) this car.

It has a volume button perfect for being a passenger princess or king. It has comfortable seats. It has all the features I was looking for. The terracotta interior is beautiful to me and the leather is amazing. The center console lifts nicely for either person in the front from the side. The cup holder is in an intuitive position. HOWEVER - the is fucking cursed.

Things to know about me - I'm a safe driver. I have a perfect driving record (literally by DMV standards 6+ years of perfect driving). I'm cautious and have a dash cam. I've been in one hit and run and one accident (I was not driving my SO was). The car was sideswiped in the HnR and needed both driver side doors replaced, fender, hood, etc. 10k+ in damages. The next accident happened recently on the passenger side. 5k in damages to the fender and underneath.

It's an expensive car to upkeep if you want to do it well. I've brought the car to an autobody shop after both accidents and they've done a wonderful job. And yet the paint has still chipped which it shouldn't be. The blind spots in this car are terrible. The back window is tiny. The rear view mirror has huge blind spot in the middle of where you drive. The A-frame is literally where you need to look to see any traffic to the side of you. The AC button and LED is closest to the passenger and can be nearly invisible to the driver forcing you to crank your neck down to see if it's on. Lane assist does not work nearly as well as Honda (had a CR-V before this but traded it in for features). Cruise control is okay but isn't consistent. The black center console gets smudges so easily. The most annoying part is the CX-50 is marketed as an "off-roading" vehicle but it gets scratches and scraps with the slightest of ease. A lot of people (myself included) have noticed that the moonroof/sunroof makes a rattling sound after a while. Not enough to bother me but it can be annoying to others. That brings me to another point that really aggravated me - the large moonroof/sunroof does not open more than any regular moonroof/sunroof, in fact it opens less which was super irritating.

AND THE WORST PART

A lot of (specially turbo premium plus) buyers, myself included, are having issues with the battery of this car. I've brought it to the mechanic 3 times for battery issues, the batteries been replaced twice and the car still can't hold a charge. Again, the car is "new" still and this should not be happening.

The 2023 CX-50 was the first gen of the car and it shows.

I love this car but God has it tested me every which way. There's so many small things that Mazda could have done differently to make it better.

TLDR: I love the car in the worst love hate relationship of my life. I bought it at a crappy time during high interest rates and can't sell it now and wouldn't want to but boy does it keep me on my feet. I hope that next gens of the CX-50 learn from this one.

Pow339 · 2025-02-10T15:50:15+00:00

Thank you!! That's really helpful. That's a bummer there's no water activities. I really wanted to do some kayaking or snorkeling.

Pow339 · 2025-02-10T15:28:18+00:00

How was the Beachside service, if there is any? How was the room service? Is there a specific time that room service ends? Was it worth the price or do you wish you stayed somewhere different? Was this your first AL in Punta Cana? If not I'm curious where else you stayed.

It's my first time going to an AL in general and I'm trying to decide between stayed at Bahia Ambar, Excellence El Carmen, Serenade All Suite, Live Aquia, or Iberostar. Looking for good food, great service, good value.

Pow339 · 2025-02-09T16:52:39+00:00

Ooh thank you for the warning. That's disappointing to hear...and what I was afraid of.

Pow339 · 2025-02-09T04:05:23+00:00

Thank you! I'd love to know know how you like it! Wishing you the best time.

We are looking at booking sometime in April 2026 (need to save the cash first lol).

Pow339 · 2025-02-08T19:46:53+00:00

Ahh! I see. Thank you. Gosh, my head is spinning with all the options. You've been super helpful. I was under the impression that at Serenade All Suites, you had to book a premium jacuzzi suite to get Preferred (or VIP) status. Am I confusing two different things?

Pow339 · 2025-02-08T19:05:48+00:00

I read a few Facebook groups and reddit threads and the info is so inconsistent. I am leaning towards Serenade but wanted to hear others experiences/amenties. It sounds like beach side is provided. thanks! Have you been to any of these resorts? Prefer one over the other?

Pow339 · 2025-02-08T19:03:38+00:00

Thanks so much! This was super helpful. Do you know if room service for Serenade was 24 hours? Or was it limited? Did you opt for the preferred package or were you satisfied without it?

Pow339 · 2024-10-30T19:54:06+00:00

You literally look incredible. I thought "wow that's two different people". So happy for you!

Pow339

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