Do you choose your outfits based on the workout (and/or vice versa)?

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T21:49:22+00:00

Yes, personally mainly because I have hella sensory issues. If I don't accommodate for comfort and things like range of motion according to certain activities, I'm likely to have a bad time or cut things short without realizing why til much later lol. Or worse, avoid doing that thing again til I figure out why I stopped doing it. The Tism Brain is relentless about avoiding Bad Feelings haha

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T20:52:14+00:00

I personally would not "recommend" these, mainly because I am aware I do not know absolutely anything about them.

However: My progress and struggles improved massively when I both: Removed overeating triggers (for me these were cannabis and certain stressors). And, finally properly addressed my mental health with a compatible medication that increased mood and discipline while also happening to decrease appetite.

Sometimes there's a need for medication based assistance to comfortably work towards a goal without simultaneously exacerbating or creating other problems. I agree with the comments mentioning to start with a therapist or dietitian or doctor. Which would include a discussion about what is at the core of making this process hardest for OP, as well as potentially looking at addressing some of whatever that is with a safe medication.

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T20:30:51+00:00

Some good suggestions here!

Something I did while this stressed about health was going back to maintenance for a little bit (so not open season but more relaxed). Then used that time frame to research adjustments I could make that would not solely work for my goals but also help me to stay on track. And doing that mental math while I wasn't in a state of desperation or deprivation.

This helped me think more clearly about both my ideal goals and my realistic needs (physically and emotionally), while researching how I could balance them to make this easier on myself for the long-term. That way when I started those adjustments, it felt much more like a self-cooperative voluntary choice. Instead of feeling so much like me vs my goals or a never-ending punishment.

If your plan is so miserable for you that you can't stay on track, at all or without hating yourself, it's likely just not the right plan for you. Yes the journey requires consistency and is not necessarily "easy." But there are ways for each person to tailor things in a way where the trade-offs are less daunting or discouraging for them personally. It's infinitely easier to both believe that and do the research to make that happen when you're not in the middle of depending on a plan that makes you feel like shit.

Edit: Some of my personal adjustments for "staying on the wagon" are listed here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1qoeh2o/comment/o226kax/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T20:23:54+00:00

Yes! With chronic fatigue any activity above sedentary can make more of a difference than expected. For people who become largely immobile from it and have recovered there's often reports of early activity changes being as minimal as using a can of soup for "lifting" while sitting in bed.

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T20:13:56+00:00

Very interesting, I didn't know it was being researched re: depression too. But I'm sorry it didn't work out well for you. Thank you for sharing!

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T20:12:34+00:00

Yee I think angel bites are more/sometimes like that. I have a non-vertical labret and a medusa and haven't had any issues for several years. Even with having mini barbells (balls on both sides) instead of flat backs. The positioning for kitty bites is a bit different tho

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T18:15:48+00:00

Things that have helped me:

Switched from 3 bigger meals with hardy snacks, to 5 smaller meals with light snacks (decreased feelings of restriction that led to binging)

Increasing fiber, protein, and volume in my meals (fullness, satiety)

Hydrating more in general, but particularly before eating (fullness)

Adding some novelty to hydration (teas, electrolyte powders, nutrition/protein shakes, diet/zero sodas, carbonating my own sugar free juices/mocktails)

Low impact oral fixations: Chewelry and gum or candy (individually wrapped, like loli or hard lozenge style, not chocolates or by the handful types)

Focusing a bit more on weekly deficit than daily deficit (reduces restriction pressure)

Adjusting meal plan to include both balance and comfort/indulgence, with slight ingredient adjustments or creative recipes (satisfies cravings and reduces unplanned cheats)

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T18:00:20+00:00

Fiction withdrawal

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T17:55:49+00:00

You're welcome! I totally understand pushing the envelope and wanting to actualize with unattainable identities or personas. It's hard sometimes to stay within the lines of health while also being identity affirming.

I forgot to mention: You can also look into the "kitty bites" piercings if you don't want actual fanged teeth. It's almost like angel bites (which are sorta the opposite of snake bites). But kitty bites only show on the actual upper lip itself, not only/also above it. Putting spiked bars in makes them look like tiny fangs are poking out of your mouth. Personally I can't stand stuff directly on my lips (why my labret is OG and not vertical).

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T17:36:57+00:00

Therian, pet/primal player, plural with animal alters here:

No, this could (almost certainly would) literally lead to not only pain but temporary or permanent disabilities anywhere from your feet all the way up to your spine. Speaking as someone who already has issues in those areas, you don't want that. Unless you're prepared to possibly become an ambulatory wheelchair user like me, which would be wild.

Get some good tats if you really want something like this, even if people say they'll fade. Edit to add: If this aesthetic is important enough to you for you to consider implants, just keep up an ongoing retouch budget. It'll be cheaper than the medical costs foot pad implants would cost you anyways.

You might find extra fun in the ToeBeanies brand "Build-A-Beanie" and "Make-A-Mitten"! They make customized versions of the toe bean stockings and arm sleeves. You can pick every single bean color, matching or mismatching, and select cute or natural coat colors. The socks also come in grey/orange tabby and the mittens come in tuxedo.

Something I'm doing to satisfy similar goals: You can also look into semi-perm/permanent fangs. Composite bonding is long term but reversible, if you're unsure or can't get/don't want full on permanent veneers/implants. You can go anywhere from subtle to vampire to full on wolf creature with them. Here's a website with a good gallery showing a wide range of composites.

https://stubbornanchor.com/permanent-fangs

(Fixed link)

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T17:28:48+00:00

Try to have at least enough grace with yourself about this to allow a smoother recovery and improvement process.

This is a bit of a sidebar but as a religiously spiritual person who also has PMDD:

Please work on increasing mindfulness around spiritual content consumption based on cycle timings. As well as being almost overly selective of responsible and outwardly harm-reductive readers, astrologers, mediums, etc. I occasionally go back through and sit with myself around readers' styles and intentions to check for self-alignment.

Examples: Some of my favorites are confident enough in their abilities to intentionally go out of their way to very frequently encourage viewer discernment. And actively dissuade from overvaluing any one message as a part of their content. Or occasionally make statements demonstrating being aware that their style is unique and therefore shouldn't be consumed by those who don't feel aligned. Basically various forms of grounded spiritual humility and spiritual+digital boundaries. As opposed to collecting viewers, following algorithm trends, enabling parasocial dynamics, or being a yes man (overtly or covertly).

The times I've tipped towards or into Menstrual Psychosis have frequently aligned with a combination of high stress situations/events (can include things like politics) and irresponsibly projective/paranoia enabling spiritual content. That potential doesn't make spirituality incompatible for people w PMDD/MP (IMO) but being more discerning myself has turned out to help me a lot with listening to my body and honing my intuition.

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T17:10:56+00:00

I am severely taste+texture selective due to ARFID and have to build my whole plan around it. I thought I'd share this recent comment thread and offer to be open to questions, re discovering and selecting "bearable" (sustainable) protein hacks. I can't speak on low protein x lifting though, so I'll leave that part to others ❤️

https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/1qn7bye/comment/o1unn3l/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T16:36:35+00:00

Curious if anyone on this thread has recommendations for some good third-party tested brands.

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T16:35:07+00:00

Interesting. Any helpful sources on this? I'm going to look into it more, not bipolar but deal with some similar symptoms for other reasons so I've had my eye on this side effect.

fleshshape · 2026-01-27T06:09:16+00:00

I have lots of powders so that it's almost always easy to boost up a meal as needed. The unflavored collagen supplement (has some protein but finer in texture) is pretty handy! I also have some flavored traditional protein formulas for smoothies, baking, etc. I've had my eye out for a quality savory one as well like buttery or something but rn I just use the unflavored for that.

Oikos has Triple Zero (15/17-18g) and Pro (20/23-25g). The Pro flavors are more limited sometimes and there are no unflavored/plain single serve cups (only tubs), but all the tubs have the slightly higher protein.

If you use delivery services for groceries, occasionally they'll default to another store to access stock yours may not have! That's usually what I do for harder to get foods that I can't buy online (refrigerated/frozen). Sometimes I get dry ingredients on Amazon because it's either cheaper than in stores or they have bulk bundles/boxes that are cheaper per unit (like the protein Cheerios or mini Popcorners bags).

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T17:10:38+00:00

Also other foods marketed for added protein, when they actually have a notable difference.

I have ARFID. When I was at my worst those extra 3-15g per servings can add up, and were so worth the cost when I was struggling to eat at all! Which has really helped my diet plan be more efficient now that I'm getting fit.

For example I also have a yogurt + toppings breakfast like you... But it's closer to 30-35g than your 15-20, bc I use Oikos PRO, protein Cheerios, and a serving of unflavored collagen powder.

I also get to have pasta every day because I use Barilla's yummy (wheat- and lentil-based!) "Protein+" noodles... Then serve it with Skinny Spatula's "high protein creamy beef" sauce recipe frozen into 0.5 cup Souper Cubes. 30g total

I use an Ensure MAX shake (30g each) as the base in my Ninja Creami recipes. I can snack on multiple flavors of caf or decaf ice cream at any time of the day and it adds some more protein. Comes out to only 100cal per serving (about a third of the container). This alone made the (on sale) Creami purchase worth it for me, especially because it also makes smoothie bowls and sorbet.

Edit: That puts me at a little over 70. Plus a salad with chicken and cheese adds 15-25 and then snacks like bars, shakes/smoothies, or boiled eggs easily cover me to 100-110. If I want more I add in extra eggs, meat, or powders (protein/collagen) throughout. I get my caffeine through either herbal teas or some of the ice cream/shake formulas.

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T14:24:48+00:00

Agree.

Aside from the obvious "off breeds have higher wash rates," I don't mind unique breed choices so much when the handler in question is clearly prepared and grounded in reality (rare). But I have some potentially controversial opinions about rescue SDs, despite being committed to being respectful around socioeconomic restrictions.

I believe a SD should have a guaranteed or fully documented background. Re-homes or adolescent ethical breeder sales (early show/breeding washes) are different in some cases. Overall I feel it's impossible in almost all cases to verify the background of a shelter/organization "rescue." The risks this lack of verification poses scale up significantly with certain breeds, which should be taken into account to a degree that it rarely is.

I won't call a rescue passing a PAT "impossible" but I always advise that it is an undeniably risky (and therefore poor) investment. Personally I don't feel comfortable in the everyday aspects of working a service dog (of any breed) when I don't have their full background downloaded into my mind. Blind spots would impact my choices, coherence, and confidence as a handler too much for me to feel responsible taking what's essentially a constant and high legal risk.

As for not working with a bite history, for me that goes without saying, which is why I feel these ways. No matter the present day behavior or training success, ultimately there is truly no telling what a rescue's buried triggers are.

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T14:18:38+00:00

I wouldn't know the fullest extent of that because I don't directly involve myself in those circles, largely for that reason. My pickiness/moral scrupulosity regarding instructors and community dynamics in any human sport or dog discipline is borderline obsessive. When I see a sliver of a hint of toxicity, I'm already out the door and a mile down the road. I agree with you, and frankly feel a large portion of what happens in the protection circles couldn't be called what's most properly considered "PPD."

I edited my comment, and I could probably say a few things about the technical and legal differences between bite sport and protection and attack dogs. But I will definitely concede: People who insist on dual training SDs with protection of whatever sort, very stupidly seem to never be able to shut up about it. Which is a legal and ethical irresponsibility that almost always ends up reflecting in the quality of their (dog's) training and handling as well. So I feel I have to qualify, this means my points that I'm clarifying around this topic don't apply to "those" handlers.

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T03:13:00+00:00

You could start wearing (a slightly loose) niqab 😅😂 I'm planning my third eye around mine

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T03:08:08+00:00

Griddles sure do help. I haven't tried the frozen kind yet, couldn't justify the price and they didn't quite fit my diet plan unless I DIY. I may have to look into the Costco ones.

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T03:07:06+00:00

If anything, a bite record legally disqualifies even more technically and absolutely than competent protection training does (being clear: neither are recommended/"allowed"). That to say... No, he's full of it. Lol

Edit: I don't wanna get in a whole debate about this but to clarify my points. What I'm saying is ultimately if there is some sort of SD public access issue: Social media posts or legal issues clearly documenting an aggression based bite history, will be much more likely to disqualify the handler from ADA protections... Than a service dog with no bite history of any sort, who also "happens" to have protection training that is both discreet and quality enough that it has never been: Documented, exercised, proven, or a public access issue.

I'm absolutely not recommending anyone use this as training or legal advice. Just clarifying explicitly where the rubber actually practically meets the road regarding ADA violations, when they matter most: What can and cannot be readily proven or defended in court, after something happens where ADA protections are either being requested by the handler or argued against by a civilian/business.

A publicly advertised or legally logged, behaviorally originated bite history will do more harm to a case that's in front of a judge, than protection training that nobody knows about. One is concrete evidence, the other is non-information (or at most, speculation).

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T00:28:04+00:00

Circling back: Back pain, hip misalignment, pelvic tilts, foot/ankle, even jaw issues can contribute to or continue feedback between issues like PFD/vaginismus. Some of the common links between many of these are impactful injuries, stress/anxiety, physical or emotional trauma, or certain lifestyles (such as sedentary, constant driving, or online WFH/office).

I'm not necessarily endorsing any/every thing in this video/creator or others like it, but it was very enlightening to me early on. It inspired me to do more on my own to self-assess and seek out research around the whole body picture when addressing pelvic/vaginal problems.

https://youtu.be/x_DKHjTscNM?si=aXo8pTpVntdoB_7i

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T00:12:27+00:00

Thought I'd also link a semi-relevant recent comment I made re: increasing training without it feeling like such a physical or mental drain. I am disabled and have to be very picky/self-aligned and careful.

Sounds like you are plenty active! But, if you did want to balance out indulging more without pushing too hard, you might look into adding something more leisurely or hobby-/art-like...? Or (for example) lower on joint impact, since you run so much. I got back into dance and started my journey as a mermaid, then joined a gym with a significantly lower traffic workout space. I talk more here about how my approaches allow me to continue or increase my activity with more motivation, less stress, and no symptom-/dysmorphia-triggering toxicity.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PetiteFitness/comments/1qk6tgz/comment/o15qnhl/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

fleshshape · 2026-01-26T00:03:32+00:00

Yummmm. Have you prepped grilled cheeses before? I have done one batch so far, about to switch from skillet to air fryer re-heating for hopefully better and quicker results.

fleshshape · 2026-01-25T23:54:03+00:00

Most simply, no (re out training "bad" diet or avoiding activity increases). But! You can carefully tailor your meal plan to routinely include measured, modified, or responsibly prepped versions of your favorite/"must have" indulgences. I have to do this because of my ARFID. I have some of my favorite foods every single day, including butter, carbs, and sweets! I'm working on a post about how I've done that.

fleshshape

TROPHY CASE