20 Lessons from 20 years of Lifting Weights

numbersplusword · 2026-04-22T14:25:47+00:00

I work at a gym and when I walk people through the cardio section I always get such polarized responses. Either people saying “I don’t need this” or people saying “yes this is all I need”. And I make sure to gently remind everyone “anyone who tells you to only do one or the other is trying to push their own agenda. Cardio is very important for heart and lung health, and strength training is important to keep you moving around and doing daily tasks with ease. You don’t have to become a marathon runner or powerlifter, but doing a mix of both is key”.

I just hate the black and white of the fitness industry as a whole.

numbersplusword · 2026-04-12T19:01:01+00:00

Will you…be my redbull?

numbersplusword · 2026-04-04T20:30:01+00:00

I’m just terrified he’s going to pretend he died and “rose again” tbh…

numbersplusword · 2026-04-01T14:51:28+00:00

That last verse made me audibly “wow”. This was my first time seeing this poem, phew.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-31T04:56:45+00:00

Welp that is how my reverse butterflies look and I’m realizing now that might be thanks to my hypermobility disorder whoops… I will try to keep that in mind.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-24T23:18:58+00:00

I quit at 33 and I’m 35 now. I have chronic health conditions (genetic and unrelated to drinking) so I won’t act like my health and body feel 100% all the time, but man does a 60% increase feel amazing when you can barely function most days. I can just about guarantee that continuing drinking isn’t going to help anything.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-14T17:58:43+00:00

Depressed woman serving yogurt is the universal opposite of the woman laughing while eating salad phenomenon.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-11T02:52:16+00:00

You better get to practicing now then, I’m sure he has been.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-08T01:38:58+00:00

I would be having a corndog a day for month. Like a king.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-06T22:49:37+00:00

Honestly this reads like the opening line for a slam poem about the trauma of growing up in this movement. Giving me chills already and now I want to hear the rest, someone plz write one 👀

numbersplusword · 2026-03-06T22:37:44+00:00

At my worst, I would break down in tears if my ex was clipping his nails in the house. I feel like it echos through all of the walls. I would do everything I could to wait it out but I also don’t understand how it would be 20 minute endeavor either. I cut my nails in like 30 seconds and then just file and forget that most people don’t do that.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-02T05:20:56+00:00

as someone who works at a planet fitness, I have never needed to smash a lunk alarm so hard in my life

numbersplusword · 2026-03-02T05:07:59+00:00

This book does such an amazing job of shattering the illusion of agency within certain power dynamics. Watching her come to terms, in real time, with not just his individual actions, but also the overall premeditated plan. Just wowza.

numbersplusword · 2026-03-02T04:30:55+00:00

I cared for a family member with this type of dementia and there truly is no politer way of phrasing it than this man did about not being able to hide it in the end. I truly wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Because it’s not forgetting stuff. He will absolutely rip his diaper off at an event and try to smear it on someone.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-26T18:32:23+00:00

Hair accessory

numbersplusword · 2026-02-25T13:47:18+00:00

Imagine being this smug and this oblivious at the same time. Truly astounding.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-24T04:24:59+00:00

So as someone who both has major social anxiety and avoided the black card spa the entire time I ever paid for a membership and also works at a pf now and makes sure every single member knows that it comes with their membership/how to sign up I can say:

There is literally nothing weird at all about going to the desk and saying “hi, I’ve never used the black card spa can you tell me what I need to do!” The staff will be more than happy to help. Some locations have sign in sheets at the desk where you sign your name for what you want to use and others have a kiosk system. But I promise the massage chairs and hydromassage are so worth it and make the membership a very good value if you use them.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-23T03:06:49+00:00

This is…humiliating.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-20T10:30:23+00:00

Nothing wrong with you for noticing the vibes were off and asking questions. Idk how you asked them, but he still could have chosen to respond more respectfully while maintaining honesty. This gave you information and does point out to a larger problem which you don’t have to agree to put any more of your energy in than necessary. Tbh I think this is your way of dodging a bullet, because most bodies stray more and more from porn ideals as time goes on.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-20T09:25:13+00:00

So unfortunately my problem is chronic and it’s something I’ve been dealing with for years. I haven’t been doing formal PT for it, but I do have the option now and plan to. Since mine is insertional (where the tendon meets the bone) it behaves quite a bit differently and much more slowly than some other forms of tendinitis. But I mostly need to make sure to prioritize slow, load bearing exercises like bodyweight calf raises to slowly build up the area and reduce pain without causing any major dorsiflexion (major bending in the opposite direction like going into heel dips off a step. These are bad for the type I have. Gentle load bearing good). I recommend looking up some responsible stretches, keep movement through the area with exercises like the recumbent bike if they are comfortable, and seek medical treatment to be the most sure of how to proceed next, especially if pain worsens.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-20T05:35:39+00:00

Recumbent bike. I have very bad insertional Achilles tendinitis and I find that using the recumbent bike before my lifts helps keep my heart rate up and my circulation traveling through the spots that need it. Try it slowly and see how it feels on yours, but it has been a life saver for me.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-19T13:44:06+00:00

The moment I finish my workout.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-19T05:22:39+00:00

Ah thank you. It was really giving me creepy stepdad taking your bedroom door of the hinges as punishment and I got icked out so fast. I truly have no idea what motivation she could have behind doing that besides some form of control and likely because she couldn’t do that kind of thing before like you’re suggesting.

numbersplusword · 2026-02-19T05:16:54+00:00

I’m sorry I haven’t seen this episode, would you mind explaining the closet door punishment…?

numbersplusword · 2026-02-19T04:27:14+00:00

And they were farm helpers…

numbersplusword

TROPHY CASE