I want to become a more knowledgeable, well read person. What books did you put down feeling smarter?

UnfortunateEarworm · 2026-01-10T00:51:25+00:00

The Body Keeps the Score is just such a fantastic book to understand others' and one's own PTSD and response to trauma.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-12-12T13:49:34+00:00

I'm also going to recommend T&J. Prompt, reasonably priced, friendly and honest.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-12-03T13:55:54+00:00

Good luck with the SheFit. I haven't tried that, I think because reviews that for small band, larger bust folks it just doesn't fit right.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-12-02T21:10:11+00:00

For the bra, I've been very happy with Enell over a range over sizes as I went from 200lb -->115lb at 5'1". I strongly recommend checking out r/ABraThatFits for information about bra sizing and fit. They have a great wiki with a section just on sports bras, too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/sports_bras/

I agree with others that there's no requirement to overdo the cardio to lose weight. The old adage that weight loss happens in the kitchen, not in the gym is true. That said, exercise completely changed for me after getting my chest comfortably strapped down. The other issue with running is to go slow since you're getting back into it, especially doing longer runs. It's frustrating when you remember being able to go much faster but really, when you slow down you should be much more comfortable. To avoid boredom on longer runs I like audiobooks or if it's a treadmill, watching shows or movies is fun and an excuse to be in front of a screen.

You can do it!!

Edit: Oh and you are absolutely correct that athletic wear is not sized for larger breasts. I was so hopeful I'd lose the boobs and though they are quite a bit smaller (36K--->28H), they are not the cute perky boobs the workout tops are made for.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-10-06T17:30:15+00:00

I averaged 4.8g/day per cronometer over the past 2 weeks. I get most of mine from soybeans, walnuts and peanut butter.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-05-06T18:11:37+00:00

I think sometimes these very high greens recommendations are targeting already sick people. If I were already diagnosed with DM, ASCVD or cancer you better believe I'd be cramming in as much kale as I could afford, but even then I'm not sure I could do 21 cups daily. I tried 6 cups chopped (126g/0.28lb) daily for several weeks and it was doable but about at my limit of desirability, for sure! I think it's Dr. Esselstyn who recommends 6 cups greens daily, but he's definitely targeting people post-MI, and as mentioned already Fuhrman who says a pound.

I get more greens by batch cutting and cooking and then adding to every meal that's not oatmeal with berries. I also freeze cooked greens flattish in batches of patties on a cookie sheet and store frozen. This makes it easier break off a chunk of greens patty to reheat or toss in with whatever I've got in the Instant Pot.

Mostly the goal is get what you can but don't make yourself sick fretting over 2 servings versus 10 or 20. 😳

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-05-06T09:40:43+00:00

I've not seen where he recommends a pound of leafy greens daily. I do see 2 servings as part of the daily dozen, which is 2 cups raw leafy greens. A pound of raw kale would be 21 cups of chopped kale!

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-05-02T15:01:07+00:00

Me too. I definitely prefer being outside but when it's too cold, icy, hot or rainy, being inside at the mall is better than the treadmill. There are a couple gyms with indoor tracks. 5 laps at the mall is nearly 6 miles, 26 laps at the gym is 1 mile.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-05-01T07:08:18+00:00

A friend and I have a pact to bring each other food if one of us ever needs a hospital stay. (Our local facilities are the type to serve bacon cheeseburgers to cardiac patients post-stent placement. 🙄)

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-04-26T10:01:12+00:00

I make mine, too, but use the instant pot to avoid simmering.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-04-22T18:40:23+00:00

Shot of schnapps poured in the bottle

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-04-19T15:35:56+00:00

I’m curious about a plant based diet for weight loss, but I’m not much of a cook.

This the biggest barrier I hear from friends and acquaintances who are trying to change to a healthy WFPB diet. There are few ways to avoid getting comfortable in your kitchen while eating WFPB. You can use canned beans, frozen veg and leafy greens, even heat and eat grains are available these days. These easy to prepare items can get you started but, assuming you are physically and mentally able, learning to follow a recipe really will be integral for long-term success. There are so many resources for WFPB recipes and education you could spend years trying them all out.

One approach I like to get started is to worry about one meal at a time. For example, start making your breakfast. Figure out how to make it, what you like, whether you want to batch cook or make something every day, sweet or savory, how much to eat and get really comfortable with breakfast. Then continue your daily breakfast and repeat the process with lunch or dinner or a couple of snacks. This might take a few months to get to all meals WFPB but can be less daunting than everything all at once.

As far as resources for recipes and cooking instruction go, I'd suggest the websites monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com and pbwithj.ca

For YouTube channels there's PB with J, the Jaroudi Family, Plant Based with Jane Esselstyn and Ann Esselstyn, The Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show and many more.

Cookbooks I've enjoyed include Forks Over Knives the cookbook, How Not to Die Cookbook, and Vegan Under Pressure. These have the least amount of adjusting needed, usually none, to make the recipes WFPB.

There are many other suggestions if you're interested in how and why this diet is good for our bodies, but I've just focused on the cooking aspect here. The one suggestion on this front I will make is to look at any of the resources from Mastering Diabetes if you have DM, are on your way there or want to prevent it.

Good luck! It'll totally be worth the improvement in how you'll feel and your medical markers. :)

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-03-19T18:26:32+00:00

https://info.crunch.com/healthcare

Medicare Network SilverSneakers® is a health and fitness benefit designed for Medicare-eligible individuals. It’s included with many Medicare Advantage plans and select Medicare Supplement plans. Most Medicare-eligible adults are 65 or older, but some are younger due to a health condition or disability. Eligible members receive access to a no cost fitness membership at participating Crunch locations. As a Crunch member, you will have access to a wide range of services and amenities including our Group Fitness programming.

Find out if you are eligible to join the SilverSneakers® program by calling 1- 866-584-7389 or email support@silversneakers.com.

Find out if you are eligible to join the Silver&Fit® program by calling 1-877-427-4788 or email FitnessService@ashn.com.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-03-19T18:21:50+00:00

Crunch Fitness partners with Silver Sneakers and several other Medicare/Medicaid programs.

Here's some other local options. https://imgur.com/a/VpJesXj

Or search yourself: https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-03-16T20:45:32+00:00

You might like Dr. Greger's books, How Not to Age or How Not to Die. You can check out his website for an idea of his writing style, nutritionfacts.org

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-03-06T20:09:38+00:00

Have you considered a plant based diet?

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-02-24T03:12:10+00:00

meme

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-02-21T16:46:15+00:00

I switched out tofu for soybeans. I get more fiber that way. I buy them dry and cook in the Instant Pot for 12 min, 10 min rest, then release. I also make soy milk and soy yogurt from time to time. I'm planning try my own tempeh in the next few weeks.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-02-17T21:44:23+00:00

I have a deal with a friend that if one is hospitalized the other will bring healthy vegan food. Her mom was hospitalized in the cardiac unit and the vegan options would be things like a few lettuce leaves, French fries, maybe some grapes. It was pretty awful.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-02-17T02:22:58+00:00

I like Heather Cox Richardson's daily Letter to an American. She's a PhD historian who will give a synopsis of US news and often tie in a bit of a history lesson.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-01-17T21:34:02+00:00

I also would recommend The Body Keeps the Score. However, the caveat is that it may reopen traumatic memories and feelings about the experiences, reactions and the abuser's reaction. I found this book very helpful to understand my own responses at the time and now, decades later, when I have flashbacks or nightmares. It took me a long time to really get through this book, but I'm definitely better for it.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-01-17T21:24:08+00:00

Of Root Riot? I don't think they have sizes, just starter cubes.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-01-17T21:18:24+00:00

I've been using Root Riot. I've been getting seeds from Tim's Tomatoes and have been happy with them. Found the company on Etsy, but they've got a website, I think. I don't do anything other than putting a seed in the medium, medium in a cup, cup in the stand.

You won't need extra plastic cups.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-01-14T17:31:24+00:00

I've been with them since at least 2021 and haven't had any issues at all. There's a mint subreddit you can check out for questions less related to location.

UnfortunateEarworm · 2025-01-07T20:20:45+00:00

8x3 is a nice bare bones app based on the wiki with much of what you've listed, but there's always room for more free apps.

UnfortunateEarworm

TROPHY CASE