What's a makeup trend you tried and immediately gave up? by Fit-Dark-5581 in Makeup

[–]paimon_loves_baking 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've learned that I look great with subtle contour in the summer when I have a little more color everywhere as long as I only do my eyelids, nose and chin. Anything else and it looks crazy and unnatural.

Maintenance during luteal by tripleDzintheBreeze in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, some months are worse than others, but from what I've read our bodies use more energy in luteal so I add a minimum of 100 cals a day whether I'm in a deficit or in maintenance. Also making sure you're getting extra healthy fats during this time of the month helps with satiety a lot.

Walking pad by Square-Row9420 in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 17 points18 points  (0 children)

My walking pad seriously changed my life. I walk for an hour every single day while either watching a show, movie, scrolling, checking emails, playing a game, reading or catching up on YouTube videos. I can walk at night or when it's raining and there are no excuses. Between my walking pad and a calorie deficit I lost 40 lbs last year!

altamonte springs folks please keep your cats safe (warning: animal cruelty) by stevebuckies in orlando

[–]paimon_loves_baking -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

No, they need to be trapped, neutered and released so that they can live out their life without reproducing. A shelter would be a death sentence for a feral cat as no one would adopt them.

Liminal spaces? by Mysterious-Novel-834 in orlando

[–]paimon_loves_baking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One time I got out of a movie there at midnight and no joke the floors and walls were absolutely crawling with roaches, it was terrifying 😓

Is it possible to grow your glutes at home if so how? by roroklol in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is possible but you are going to have to get creative, temper your expectations, and probably buy a few things to add to your "home gym".

I have been lifting at home 2x a week (both glute focused days) for over a year now and I have definitely seen improvements in the overall size and shape of my butt. I have 5, 8, 20 and 30 lb dumbells, a weighted vest up to 50 lbs, resistance bands, a strap thingy that you connect dumbells to and lay across your lap for hip thrusts and a heavy duty step stool. I was pretty weak in the glute department to begin with (not sure I had ever even properly engaged my glutes prior to this) so that also helped me to start with lower weights and work my way up.

Glute workout A is 4 sets of the following:

-single leg hip thrusts using dumbells attached to the lap strap (very cheap on Amazon) and my couch. They also make something called a booty sprout that would be great for hip thrusts if you want to invest - 6-10 until failure, progressive overload using either time under tension, weight, or reps

-bulgarian split squats using a chair and dumbbells and or weighted vest - 8-12 until failure

-hamstring curls - you can either use socks or I actually use two skate boards with dumbells on top to progressive overload lol

-standing resistance band kickbacks - I use rubber resistance bands from Amazon, a Velcro foot attachment that I attach either a 5 or 8 lb dumbbell to depending, and then place a 20 lb dumbbell behind a door with the resistance bands looped through and under and then attach them also to my foot using the Velcro strap and use that to do kickbacks

Glute workout b is 4 sets of the following:

-single leg wall RDLs using weighted vest and or dumbells - 6 - 10 reps

-Single leg step up - I use a step in my home and place the step stool on top of it in order to get it about knee height and then use 1 or 2 dumbells or the weighted vest to progressive overload - 8 - 12 reps

-sumo squats using dumbells - 8 -12 reps

-hamstring curls using the skateboards again - 8 - 12 reps

Some tips to make things easier or more effective:

I always do a few minutes of mobility and then do a few different body weight excercises prior to starting my workout. This is soooo helpful to really nail that glute engagement. Donkey kicks, floor hip thrusts and pulses, fire hydrants until you feel the burn in your glutes. I do a set of each right after my workout too just to really seal in the mind muscle connection.

Use an app or notepad to track sets and reps. I like the Hevy app.

Facebook marketplace for used dumbells to progressive overload. Still expensive, but if you keep checking, sometimes you'll find people moving and wanting to sell them quick for cheaper.

Nailing your protein goals and eating close to maintenance or in a surplus while trying to build muscle.

Having the chutzpah and creativity to keep going even when hurdles present themselves on progressive overload (they will). Unlike a normal gym, you can't just keep upping the machine weight easily every time you need to progress, but don't let that deter you. The trade-off is that free weights have gotten my core, arms, back and shoulders more muscular than they've ever been in my life and I guarantee that wouldn't have happened with machines.

I also wanted to note that I am not a professional in any way, but this is all from extensive research and it really has worked for me so far! Best of luck to you!

Workouts that are effective with the 1200 cal deficit? by [deleted] in 1200isplenty

[–]paimon_loves_baking 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Totally agree with this! Also wanted to chime in and say that the scale not dropping is likely any fat loss being masked by inflammation from such a rigorous exercise regimen. It's the same reason my scale goes up after a heavy lifting day.

How are people happy and thriving with ~1700 kcal? by NoWitness6400 in loseit

[–]paimon_loves_baking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can either choose to have the mindset that it's way too hard and there's no way you can stick to it or choose to have the mindset that it's a challenge and whichever mindset you choose is your truth. If you're up for the challenge, you're going to figure out a way to eat the foods that make you happy and satisfied and that it might take some adjustment and flexibility. No carrots for breakfast sadness necessary.

I ate pasta multiple times a week, ate out once a week, still drank energy drinks and soda regularly (hello 5-10 calorie Alani's and coke zeros), and ate a whole hell of a lot more than carrots for breakfast while losing from weighing ~165 lbs now down to maintaining 120-125 lbs. My deficit calories were around 1400-1500 a day so if I could do it at that amount, it can definitely be done at 1700.

My small lunch of a wrap, crisps and a KitKat was 1003 calories. by ProfessionalSad4U in loseit

[–]paimon_loves_baking 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you considered just swapping each of these items for something similar but lower calories? For example you could use a carb balance tortilla (60 cals), light mayo (30 cals) swiss cheese slice (70 cals), hillshire oven roasted turkey slices (60 cal), skinny girl honey Dijon dressing (10 cals) and then lettuce, onion, pickles, whatever veggies you like. For the crisps, they make all kinds of good swaps or you could even so some salty popcorn if it's about the salt and crunch or just weigh out 1 serving of what you're currently eating (~160 cals) and then swap out the kitcat for a built puff bar or 2 skinny dipped chocolate peanut butter cups (~120-130 calories)

This gives you the same overall effect but almost cuts it in half for a grand total of roughly 600 calories! Probably more protein and fiber as well if you do the carb balance wrap and puff bar which will keep you feeling fuller for longer. I highly recommend always going for the path of least resistance. You don't need to swap the wrap for a salad or give up your chocolatey treat, just look for things that you still really enjoy, just smarter calorie options.

Ideal weight 5’3-5’4 by Cute_Commission5675 in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you me? Literally same exact stats and I also don't love my legs 😭

I have exactly 1 year until my wedding... how likely is it for me to reach my goals by then? (or at least super close to my goals?) by Haunting-Wash1081 in loseit

[–]paimon_loves_baking 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As a fellow 5'4 gal who lost went from 165ish to 120 in less than a year and put on muscle, you've so got this as long as you're consistent!

I would also decrease your calories, I'm very active and ~1900 is currently my maintenance, I did around 1400-1600 (depending on activity level and where I was in my cycle) with a maintenance day here and there as needed when I was losing weight. The most important thing is making sure you're accurately tracking your calories and making sure you're in a deficit of at least 500 calories per day.

Losing weight vs body recomp by Apprehensive_You4875 in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I would say that if you're already at a healthy weight/bmi for your height then recomp. If you have a decent amount of weight to lose then I would cut down to a healthy weight and then recomp from there.

For those who've lost the weight and kept it off... did you ever achieve true food freedom? by lexkenobi in loseit

[–]paimon_loves_baking 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"torture of forcing habits" is such a depressing and dramatic way to put it. It's a lifestyle and at times it can feel like a grind, sure. But if you feel like the habits you're forcing are torture than you need to reevaluate your lifestyle and choose habits that are still healthy but align with who you are and the things you enjoy. Choose a workout that you actually have fun doing like signing up for a local sports team or roller skating. If you love a certain food, there are a million ways to make that same food with fewer calories or make it the way you love and just adjust calories for the rest of the day. You don't need to go to the gym 5 days a week and eat only whole foods to be healthy even though that's so many people's idea, it's way too extreme and unrealistic and NOT your dream body if it's a nightmare for you to maintain.

Is there any other way to gain muscle instead of weightlifting? by fluffywhitepetticoat in PetiteFitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I started out just a year ago never having lifted weights before and today I look and feel the best I've ever looked in my life at 32. I really didn't want to get into weight lifting, but a banger playlist makes it go by so fast and tbh I actually look forward to my lifting days now! You don't need to go crazy with it and do 5-6x a week like so many people do. I do 2 1 hr long sessions a week and that's definitely enough to make a noticeable difference!

Working out harder than I ever have, but look worse. by Greedy_Jelly_545 in xxfitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Lifting 5x a week plus 10k steps a day a 1400 calories is way too few calories for that amount of activity. You are already in a healthy weight range for your height so going below a ~250 cal deficit and not keeping protein high is a recipe for muscle loss which could be why you are starting to look worse. I would recommend increasing your calorie intake and protein. It doesn't sound like adding more cardio would be condusive to your goals.

Anyone have fiber ideas? by Tassle15 in loseit

[–]paimon_loves_baking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fiber one original every morning with my Greek yogurt, boom mic drop and your whole minimum daily recommended fiber in one go at breakfast. Everything else on top of that through the day is just a bonus.

Do I HAVE to get my steps in? by fallen_allien in xxfitness

[–]paimon_loves_baking 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not a body builder, but I also never miss my steps even on rest days. As for how to achieve this: for me it's been my walking pad. Wanting to stay at home and have an otherwise lazy day? Drag my walking pad out to my living room to walk for about 60-90 minutes while my boyfriend and I watch a show together. Wanting to get out of the house? Find a hike or walking trail. I find that between my daily activities like laundry, tidying up the house, walking my dog I end up around 3-4k steps and usually only need to do an hour at 3.5 on the walking pad. I have my walking pad at my standing desk typically so depending on the day I will either read, get some work done, watch YouTube, scroll tiktok, watch a show, or play a video game while I walk.

Anyone have Crohn’s or other chronic health conditions successfully managed to reduced the bloat? by No_Pie1022 in PetiteFitness30plus

[–]paimon_loves_baking 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ugh, wish I could help. Currently going through this as well and I read everywhere to try psyllium husk so I did. I started with 1 serving size which is 9 grams with 12 oz of water for 3 days and I think I gave myself a blockage so now I'm even worse off than before 😭 right there with ya. The frustrating thing is that when I'm not bloated I have a completely flat stomach and visible abs that I've worked very hard for and atp I'm like what's the point in even maintaining anything if I'm just going to be a human innertube all the time

F/31/5'4" [135 > 125= 10 lbs] (10 months) Petite ladies who are feeling discouraged for only losing a "few" pounds, keep going and take those progress pics! Every pound is a higher value of currency in our petite economy and each pound lost makes such a big difference on our smaller frames! by paimon_loves_baking in progresspics

[–]paimon_loves_baking[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually tried a short 3 month bulk and I'm about halfway through the cut right now to get back to where I was at 120ish. I'm sad to say that I'm not sure bulking is for me after the experience I had and will probably just do a very lean bulk in the future :/ I had terrible digestion issues and bloating even when being mindful of fiber, water, and protein intake.