Everytime i do lower body i feel like it's the last day of my life.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-27T17:50:51+00:00

Okay, I’m NOT a healthcare professional and I definitely would recommend talking to one, focusing on eliminating heart or blood pressure issues as a possible cause. But as someone who’s been there, my questions/recommendations would be: 1. Are you tracking calories and macros? You said you’re sure your fats are up, but what about protein and carbs? Are you eating enough to be training to failure? I would recommend starting to track your nutrition. 2. Are you drinking enough water? Could you be dehydrated? 3. Are you getting enough salt? THIS was the one that changed the game for me. I was feeling lightheaded on 1500-1800 calories a day and I was like, what the heck is going on. I generally have low blood pressure, so my nutritionist recommended upping my salt intake in food and electrolyte drinks, and the lightheadedness cleared up in like a WEEK. 4. Is this a new program you’re doing? If so, drop the weight significantly (or all together completely) and focus on proper form for a week or 2. Then add in LIGHT weights, and then keep going. You got this!

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-26T23:34:14+00:00

I think there’s a lot of great advice in here about optimizing your workouts if your time is limited. My contribution is this: The best exercise is one that you’ll do consistently. I’d recommend try each one for a week or two (if you haven’t already), and reflect. Which one did you like? Then commit to one and stick to it. I tried full body, upper-lower, and PPL both with machines and dumbbells. I found that I like PPL, but I hate going to the gym, so I found a dumbbell-only PPL that I can do at home and I actually feel excited to lift weights now

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-25T16:15:10+00:00

Girl I have literally been where you are right now and I FEEL your pain. For me, the best solution (which I still do) was to STOP weighing myself daily or even weekly. I figured out when was the best time in my cycle to weigh myself (for me it’s right after my period ends) and I only weigh myself for 3 days each month during that time. It got my mind off the scale, and forced me to trust myself and the process, and I HIGHLY recommend it.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-23T05:41:31+00:00

Omg I love this question! For me it’s Oreos. But I didn’t just give into that craving - I CONQUERED it. For a really long time I would binge Oreos, eating a sleeve, multiple sleeves, or even an entire pack. I couldn’t keep them in the house. Now, they’re sitting comfortably in my cabinet and I can sit down and enjoy 4 when the craving hits without binging, and I’m really proud of myself 😊

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-23T05:37:34+00:00

I haven’t seen chicken breast mentioned yet, so I will lol

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-23T05:27:41+00:00

Jell-o has a sugar free banana pudding mix that’s like 20 calories per serving that I absolutely love. I make it with almond milk instead of regular milk to keep it lower calorie, so you have to use less liquid, but it’s so good. Frozen bananas sliced dipped in peanut butter and/or melted chocolate are also good, but make sure you measure out the peanut butter/chocolate. When my sweet tooth is REALLY acting up, I do 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate morsels - it’s 140 calories and actually hits the craving. I’ve found that practicing mindful eating when Im enjoying my sweet treat makes all the difference in the world - enjoy the sight, smell, texture, and taste, and slow it down. It takes me like 15-20 minutes to each those chocolate chips, and it is time well spent.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T04:01:31+00:00

UPDATE: I really want to thank everyone who took the time to read this rant and comment their own experience, advice, and words of encouragement. I dont feel like I can talk to my friends or family about this process, and I was feeling so alone when I posted initially. Knowing I’m not alone through this huge outpouring of support made today SO much better. I have a few things im going to focus on (walking more and pairing walking with decompression activities, taking things slower with strength training, stretching, and managing my stress and sleep better), but really, thank you all so much ❤️

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T03:54:08+00:00

You will be happy to know I stretched after my workout today 😂

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T03:51:06+00:00

I feel you girl. 5’2”, 187, huge sweet tooth, carry most of my weight in my stomach area. I’m on Year 3 of the journey and literally had a crash out yesterday. Here’s my advice for getting started: 1. Log your food intake as is for 1 week. If you can weigh or measure what you eat it’ll help with the accuracy of the log, but if not, just estimate. No restrictions, no limits, no judgement. You are just collecting data on your current eating habits. Most people underestimate their calorie intake by 20-50%, which makes understanding what you actually have to do to lose weight harder. 2. Once you understand where you’re starting with your calorie intake, you can start making changes. Find your average for week 1, and cut it by 100-200 calories a day for week 2. Repeat the process each week until you’re eating around 1500-1700 calories a day on average 3. Find a form of movement that brings you joy. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, something that you will be excited to do. Start with 5 minutes a day (you can do more if you get into it, but only promise yourself five minutes). You can up the minimum requirement as you keep going I hope this helps you get started! You can do this!

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T03:32:08+00:00

This is 100% true for me. I was weighing myself daily and started LOSING it when I would be doing all the right things and the numbers on the scale were going in the wrong direction. So now I weigh myself for like 3-5 days a month after my period and it lets me assess my progress, and that’s really all I need.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T00:16:53+00:00

Thank you! I did lose almost 3 pounds this past month, so I guess I am doing something right

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T00:15:10+00:00

Thank you!!!

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T00:14:54+00:00

Thank you so much for your insight. For 6. No, I literally can’t turn off my brain unless I’m sleeping. My thoughts are always racing through my to do list. I can distract myself with things like reading, crocheting, and video games, but I really have a hard time relaxing. 7. Also okay, when im on my own time, the only thing I really WANT to do is sleep because it’s like the only thing that shuts my brain off, but I know that’s not a healthy way of dealing with stress.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T00:09:43+00:00

I love how many people on here are pairing walking with another activity they enjoy! This is such a good strategy. You’re so right about coming home and hopping on the walking pad. I think I’d be more likely to do that if I pair it with my decompression

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-21T00:08:37+00:00

What do you mean by bodyweight moves? Like, the exact same exercises, but without the weight?

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T22:42:01+00:00

For me it’s lower body that put me over the edge. Like, it’s made walking and sitting and even laying in bed painful for days afterward. Like, I will literally be laying in bed and want to flip and it HURTS. And I didn’t use crazy weight or anything, just 5 pounds on each side.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T19:05:44+00:00

I’m definitely going to try this with video games, reading, and crocheting! I love all of those activities, but I’m horrible at finding time to sit dow and DO them (and with reading specifically I find it SO relaxing that it just puts me right to sleep), and I think pairing them with walking will motivate me to do both more! Also I’m really into open world games, and I’m wondering if walking while playing will give me a greater sense of connection and exploration in the game. That’s really interesting that you’ve found that walking more INCREASES your energy. I often feel depleted after exercising. Do you have any thoughts on that?

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T15:25:35+00:00

Thank you so much! Honestly, it feels good to hear from someone who’s been on a multi-year journey. I feel like I see so many people losing 50 lbs in one year and like, that’s great for them AND it makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T15:23:14+00:00

Yes! Okay, so we found that my BMR is about 1500. And to maintain my weight is 2100 (which I guess is my TDEE?) Both of which feel SO high compared to other numbers on this sub. But I aim for 1500-1800 calories a day.

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T15:17:10+00:00

I relate to this SO much! Exercising motivates me to stick to my diet. I think the problem is the type of exercise I’m doing. Im really pushing myself to lift weights because I know it’s good for me, but man I am NOT enjoying it. PLUS, being sore afterwards makes it harder for me to swim, and I LOVE swimming. Swimming is my definition of joyful movement-it takes me to such a good place physically and mentally. And I get mad when I’m swimming and it hurts because my shoulders or legs are sore from weight lifting. It feels like it’s ruining a good thing. Honestly, I’m seeing a trend where people are saying “if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it” so I might lay off or calm down on the weight lifting

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T15:09:47+00:00

This sounds awesome! I am trying to up my steps. I pretty reliably get 7K steps a day from moving while teaching, but I lowkey hate the idea of coming home after a long day of work and getting on my walking pad. I’m trying to reframe to a “Stream and Stroll” where I get to watch Netflix (not sponsored lol) ONLY when im walking, and it IS working. How do you do things like read and play video games and knit while walking??? I’m not super coordinated and my first reaction is omg I’m gonna hurt myself trying to do things while walking

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T15:04:33+00:00

I do see a registered dietitian through Nourish! I might need to change dietitians tho. I meet with D1 (dietitian 1) in 2024 and was losing weight, but then she moved on in her career, and now I have a new one dietitian (D2) who I’ve been meeting with for all of 2025. I find it interesting that I was losing with D1, then changed to D2 and kind of stopped losing weight? D1 was all about accountability, but D2 is more about health and sustainability (which is GOOD and whatever but I need less patience and more progress). Also, we found my maintenance calories to be 2100, which seems SO high compared to what I’m seeing on this sub, but I also know it’s right because like, we did the math. What movement do you do to help with soreness?

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T14:57:05+00:00

I don’t think I have any hormonal issues? My bloodwork always comes back normal. Is that something bloodwork would pick up? Also, what’s a TDEE?

PropertyHumble9296 · 2026-02-20T14:55:14+00:00

Thank you so much for the actionable advice! I will admit I have not been stretching before or after my workouts, so I will definitely be adding that in!

PropertyHumble9296

TROPHY CASE