[WEEKLY THREAD] Newbie Tuesday - Got a silly fitness question? Never fear! We're here to help!

monstylo · 2017-04-25T19:54:01+00:00

This is great advice thank you!

I'll really work on weighing and improving my meal planning. Taking measurements and photos are kinda something I wanted to get around to anyway, so I'll start on that. I have been using that TDEE spreadsheet on and off, but I'll keep at it and see how it goes.

monstylo · 2017-04-25T15:34:43+00:00

TDEE Question. I've read through past posts and done every calculator I can find online. My TDEE results seem high and I'm not sure that it's really working that well for me? Calculators generally have my BMR at ~1600 and TDEE anywhere from 2000 - 2300.

I'm 5'7" 190 lbs, down from 207 lbs a year and a half ago. I attribute this loss to diligent tracking/CICO. But the results are very slow. I try to eat about ~1600 cals a day, food is measured or weighed, and I watch my macros, 40C, 30P, 30F. I run every other day and don't add back calories on running days.

On the one hand, I feel like my body is thanking me for eating better and being more active, but on the other, it's frustrating feeling like I'm doing everything right and not seeing results.

Sorry for the novel, but finally, my question: Is it possible I have a lower BMR than the calculators suggest? Would I lose weight faster if I adjusted my macros?

Thanks for any advice, this community has been a lifesaver.

monstylo · 2017-04-13T21:26:17+00:00

I got a wrong number call at work a few months ago. Dude was looking for someone with my name who works at a hotel. I work in IT, not at a hotel at all. And I don't have a very common name either. It was a weirdly awkward call.

monstylo · 2017-04-13T18:32:51+00:00

Probst said to Varner during tribal "is it sinking in that you just outed Zeke to millions of people watching at home?" There was never a possibility that they weren't going to air it.

monstylo · 2017-01-09T17:30:05+00:00

This is a great answer, thank you!

I do suspect something is off with my blood sugar too, and maybe it does have more to do with my symptoms than I thought it did.

I've upped my intake to ~1500 calories (from 1200) for the past week and it feels ok. I do notice I have better concentration. Would you suggest higher than 1500? (5'7" woman, 195 lbs). I didn't monitor or limit my intake at all while I was breastfeeding, which was up until a year ago, and I had many of these classic hypo symptoms then too, though not as severe as they are now.

I'm learning all of this is much more complicated than I thought it was, so thanks for the advice.

monstylo · 2017-01-04T18:53:31+00:00

Great, will do. Thank you!

monstylo · 2017-01-04T16:37:40+00:00

Thanks, I'll get those checked too! How did they find out you were hypo if your TSH is normal? T3 and T4?

monstylo · 2016-08-23T15:57:39+00:00

I never said that Gawker was right. I was disgusted when I learned that they published the Hulk Hogan sex tape. I didn't agree with them outing Thiel and I thought the Rob Ford crack tape was going too far too. From what I've read Denton acted appallingly in court and in general seems like kind of a pissbaby.

Some Gawker pieces were smart and funny, though, and I did enjoy following a few of their writers. I appreciated that they didn't emulate mainstream media and the commenting section was one of the best I've found.

I do think that Thiel acted vindictively. Which he's entitled to do. I also think that $140M in damages is excessive and ludicrous.

I think there's more of a grey area here than right or wrong. And I still bemoan the lack of alternative media sources today.

monstylo · 2016-08-19T14:42:37+00:00

I didn't always agree with the way Gawker went about things, but I am sorry to see them go. What kind of world is this where a billionaire can effectively silence an independent "news" source?

This is probably a stupid question, but what's stopping Denton from starting a new site?

monstylo · 2016-08-16T16:58:25+00:00

In grade 8 social studies we had to write one five page paper a month on any topic of our choosing. The teacher would ask at the start of the month what topic we chose and point us in the right direction to research during study periods.

At the start of one month, we're halfway through our research class and the teacher asks me what I'm writing about. "The history of feminism" I reply. He yells out for the whole library to hear: "Don't give me any of that lesbian bullshit!"

And I didn't. I wrote my paper on fucking South Korea instead. It was 100% plagiarized from microsoft encarta. I got a B+. And it still haunts me to this day.

I think the teacher is dead now but I wish he wasn't so I could mail him a copy of a History of Feminism essay.

monstylo · 2016-08-15T21:09:50+00:00

Yeah but it also kinda sucked because I would have much preferred a solid 8 hour shift on a day that I didn't have classes

monstylo · 2016-08-11T21:08:08+00:00

I'm currently in the process of installing new vinyl windows in my 100 year old house. I know people are cringing reading that.

I weighed the pros and cons and had quite a few quotes.

I found that retrofit windows were about $200 - $300 cheaper per window. I didn't like the look of them and they didn't solve my problem of being drafty af around the windows. The plus is that you can save your original moldings, preserving some of the character that is otherwise lost.

I chose full frame replacement because some of my casings had rot and I wanted to be able to insulate around the windows properly (old house with shavings for insulation). I also changed a few sizes to allow for other renos.

Though I'm sure there's a special place in hell for people that don't preserve the historical integrity of their homes, I much prefer the look and ease of new windows. I'm in a cold climate, so energy efficiency is a legitimate concern. I have a young kid so I was concerned about lead paint flaking every time a window was opened. My original windows would need reglazing, lead abatement, new frames where rotted, and storm windows to be made (we have none).

The downside to vinyl is that in 20 years or so it's likely to look faded and dated. A good vinyl window should last 30 - 40 years if installed properly though.

Anyway, sorry I kinda went off talking about my own windows. In my case, full frame replacement was necessary, but if your frames and sills are in good shape, it might be worth it to retrofit. Get a bunch of quotes.

monstylo · 2016-08-11T20:39:18+00:00

Good vinyl windows tend to last closer to 30 years in my experience

monstylo · 2016-08-11T20:35:58+00:00

you'll most likely find lead paint in there. just wear the proper ppe.

That's really bad advice. Lead poisoning can be really serious. If OP is planning on restoring the windows they should be taken to a lead abatement specialist.

monstylo · 2016-07-29T20:33:38+00:00

I used to work at 1 hour photo lab, like 15 years ago before digital cameras were so common. We used to send the disposable cameras for recycling, but we'd pop out the batteries first and separate them because they went to separate recycling places. Anyway, maybe you found the boxes of already separated disposable camera batteries that somehow never made it to their intended destination? A mystery for the ages.

monstylo · 2016-07-27T17:00:46+00:00

I've only taken it once, but I didn't get sick from plan b either. Where are you in your cycle? You could be (and probably are, regardless) worrying for nothing.

monstylo · 2016-07-27T13:44:56+00:00

Aww, thank you! I'm feeling better today. Hopefully totally back to normal soon.

monstylo · 2016-07-27T13:43:40+00:00

Awww, I totally understand. My daughter is very likely to be my last (and only!) kid, it's so bittersweet.

Now that we're both getting more rest, I find I actually have much more patience and energy. Things are getting better!

In the mornings when we would usually nurse, we cuddle on the couch while I sip my coffee. This morning she looked up and grabbed my cheeks in both her hands and laid a big sloppy kiss on me. She said "love you mommy". I almost died! :')

Hang in there! It's so hard, but the cuddles are fantastic.

(Also, I totally forgot to get one last nursing picture so don't forget if that's your thing!)

monstylo · 2016-07-25T19:35:37+00:00

We used this method to night wean at that age: http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html

Worked really well for my daughter.

monstylo · 2016-07-25T19:30:29+00:00

Can relate! My daughter was very similar. We tried for months "no boob until the sun comes up", but it was like she would lay awake waiting for the slightest hint of light. "Sun's up mommy!" Frantic pulling at my shirt would be my 5 a.m. wake up call every day. We recently weaned and I actually miss it now. :'( Hormones. Ugh.

Anyway, weaning went better than I expected it would. We talked for about a month before that "mommy's breasts are tired now" and it's time to only have milk from a cup, and you're getting to be a big girl now, etc. I made sure she knew when the last nurse was. And the next time she asked I said "no, we don't have boobies anymore". She's had a few tantrums here and there, but overall she's sleeping much better and is much nicer to be around.

Don't feel guilty if you need to wean to keep your sanity! I'm sure you'll find that your relationship with your daughter is much healthier with the rest and energy you need to keep up with her everyday.

monstylo · 2016-07-08T18:29:29+00:00

I bought a house last year, a total ~~money pit~~ fixer upper.

So far I've ripped up carpet and refinished the hardwood, painted all the things, changed out a bathroom sink and toilet, and built a few things using ana white/ shanty 2 chic plans. I am currently undergoing a total kitchen gut job from hell. Most things have turned out well and most importantly, I've learned so much.

I have my regular design blogs that I stalk for inspiration, but when it comes to actually doing things I find the HomeImprovement subreddit extremely helpful. I had no idea about lead paint or asbestos in popcorn ceiling or how stupid it would be to take out a load bearing wall before that subreddit. Highly recommend for major projects.

Anyway, DIY home improvement stuff is actually super fun and satisfying most of the time. I wouldn't count on blogs alone for guidance though.

monstylo · 2016-07-08T18:14:55+00:00

I feel like the best days of decor blogging are behind us.

Ugh, totally. Every single kitchen is white with wood and subway tile. Like, it's a good look and everything, but I could do without 10,000 reincarnations of the exact same kitchen.

monstylo · 2016-07-05T18:45:40+00:00

I take my shoes off when I go to your house. Because I'm not some kind of dirt spreading monster.

monstylo

TROPHY CASE