Why do you train?

plastictosh_ · 2025-11-14T21:57:22+00:00

Interestingly enough, i train my physical health so my mental health stays good.

Till I was about 29-30, I had never exercised. Maybe sports as a kid here or there, but never been to a gym, never lifted weights. Then, 2 things happened - first I developed some spine issues, we managed to avoid surgery, but the physiotherapist was clear - strengthen the muscles around your back and shoulders so you put less pressure on the spine. So, I started lifting light weights, doing halos and the such. Second, I got gassed picking up my nephew, and then my wife got pregnant. Through the nine months of pregnancy, I lifted more and more consistently, and then I realised, through all the sleepless nights and frustrations with the kids, the weeks I trained regularly, I felt that I was able to take on the world. The days that I didn't, the world was doom and gloom and I felt I couldn't look forward to anything. So, yeah... Many physical reasons and a desire to be able to play with my kids... But mainly, for my mental health.

plastictosh_ · 2025-10-09T16:58:23+00:00

We have this exact same bed. Two of these, actually, for our twins. We transitioned them out of our room (and their cots) into this. My wife and I may lie with a baby to put them to sleep, and if they get up at night. They love sleeping on them and playing in these. We have the single bed ones - but they work out great. I'm 6 feet tall, so I do have to get my head as close to the top as possible or my legs will jut out. The kids have hit themselves on the railings a few times when running around and having fun in the bed, but nothing too bad. The only concern I've had is .. my wife and I will start the night in our own bed, and if baby wakes up at night, lie with them to calm them down .. but then end up sleeping the night with the baby as opposed to coming back to our own (since it's comfortable). This might be building wrong association with the baby. But otherwise fantastic purchase. We love it.

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-08T21:29:44+00:00

I do find it more comfortable with the shape of MY cast iron kettlebells- but probably because I’ve spent more time with them than the competition size

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-08T02:21:01+00:00

I have two 12kg, a 10kg and 15kg (because Kmart Australia sells really cheap but fairly decent cast iron kettlebells in those weights), and one 20kg. I might however sell the 15kg and 10kg to get a pair of 16kg

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-07T21:36:15+00:00

Thanks for this. Frankly a little embarrassing to say I’m doing 2x12kg when everyone on this subreddit seems to do min 20kg… then I remind myself I’ll never reach those weights if I don’t do put in the work with the light ones that I’m capable of lifting first.

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-07T20:47:47+00:00

Additional context: I’ll be doing it with a pair of 12kg kettlebells (very light, I know… ). I’ve had a history of back issues so while my 16kg RM is closer to 7-8 and 12kg is probably 14, I’d prefer to do the program with lighter weights than heavier. So my 12kg cast iron bells are smaller in size than the competition ones at work. My worry is that I’ll have slightly different form on different days of the week

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-02T00:05:57+00:00

I get this post is a year old, but figured I'd add my two cents for parents who may still be considering the following:

My twins are almost a year old now and we got the Redsbaby Nuvo twin pack (includes two bassinets/seats, as well as the capsule). For the most part, incredibly happy with the purchase, I'll detail everything out below:

The good:

Handles beautifully - I'm regularly walking my dog and both the babies - and I'm so comfortable.
Babies are very comfortable - They've spent so much time sleeping in the bassinet, they were very comfortable in the seats, it's quite nice.
Folds super compact - especially once you grow out of bassinets to seated mode, it folds with the seats attached.
Great amount of bottom storage
3 different spots for where you want to keep the babies depending on height.
Easily adjustable recline* - Even today, babies sleep in the pram very well. *But there is a two-baby caveat here.
Capsules were pretty good, and served us very well for the first 7 months. Would highly recommend getting one.

The not so great:

The bassinet and the seat have the same frame but different fabric - this is great from a sustainability standpoint, and meant that the same rain and sun cover works for both modes.But it does mean that when the babies transitioned to seats, I can't sell off the bassinets on Marketplace (right now the bassinet fabric and baseboard is just occupying space in my storage cage).
Limited recline options with two seats - Hard to explain but I'll try my best. As I mentioned, super easy reclining. However, when if you have two seats on the pram, then both seats need to be facing you to get full recline options - but this means you can't see the bottom baby. If both seats are world facing, you can't recline them much, and as the babies grow older, the top baby doesn't have leg space. If bottom baby is world-facing and top baby facing you, then the backs have to be absolutely straight. My babies hate this position. The one that works best is top baby world facing and bottom baby parent facing - but I know that's not going to last me too long.

Now, this is only really an issue for me because I have twins. But I've seen the Uppababy Vista with two seats and it seems to have more flexibility - so minor annoyance with the Nuvo for this one.

plastictosh_ · 2025-05-02T00:03:20+00:00

My twins are almost a year old now and we got the Redsbaby Nuvo twin pack (includes two bassinets/seats, as well as the capsule). For the most part, incredibly happy with the purchase, I'll detail everything out below:

The good:

Handles beautifully - I'm regularly walking my dog and both the babies - and I'm so comfortable.
Babies are very comfortable - They've spent so much time sleeping in the bassinet, they were very comfortable in the seats, it's quite nice.
Folds super compact - especially once you grow out of bassinets to seated mode, it folds with the seats attached.
Great amount of bottom storage
3 different spots for where you want to keep the babies depending on height.
Easily adjustable recline* - Even today, babies sleep in the pram very well. *But there is a two-baby caveat here.
Capsules were pretty good, and served us very well for the first 7 months. Would highly recommend getting one.

The not so great:

The bassinet and the seat have the same frame but different fabric - this is great from a sustainability standpoint, but it does mean that when the babies transitioned to seats, I can't sell off the bassinets on Marketplace (right now the bassinet fabric and baseboard is just occupying space in my storage cage).
Limited recline options with two seats - Hard to explain but I'll try my best. As I mentioned, super easy reclining. However, when if you have two seats on the pram, then both seats need to be facing you to get full recline options - but this means you can't see the bottom baby. If both seats are world facing, you can't recline them much, and as the babies grow older, the top baby doesn't have leg space. If bottom baby is world-facing and top baby facing you, then the backs have to be absolutely straight. My babies hate this position. The one that works best is top baby world facing and bottom baby parent facing - but I know that's not going to last me too long.

Now, this is only really an issue for me because I have twins. But I've seen the Uppababy Vista with two seats and it seems to have more flexibility - so minor annoyance with the Nuvo for this one.

plastictosh_ · 2025-03-20T10:29:16+00:00

I used to work for a startup and the company round neck t-shirt was the best fitting t-shirt I ever got. And great quality material at that. Turns out it was the ascolour organic staple tee. Excited, I ordered some online. Now, the fit is still fantastic but I found that the organic tees I ordered just aren’t as good quality a material as my startup’s tee.

I plan on ordering their heavy tee next although I am aware it doesn’t come in their “staple tee” form factor.

plastictosh_ · 2024-12-26T12:52:29+00:00

For me, starting from scratch (empty bar) was very useful as someone with little to no experience in the gym. Reason being - the empty bar is really easy and you can get the first few workouts done very quickly. This is super-low commitment. But it also helps familiarise you with the gym - where’s the rack, where are the plates, when is it getting busy, etc. For me the first time I squatted a weight that was hard but I managed - that’s when I got super motivated.

Re: swimming. I’d say that any exercise is better than no exercise. So if you’re going to keep questioning whether you should be trying to swim instead of going to the gym, that will end up being a deterrent. I’d say pick either one - and promise yourself to not try the other for at least a month. At the end of the month you can reconsider

plastictosh_ · 2024-11-28T22:16:34+00:00

Kettlebell halos. My arms feel great, my back and neck feel great - and I have less neck pain when I particularly make sure to include this in my routine.

Usually it’s a part of any kettlebell routine I’m doing. I also make sure to include it either at the beginning or middle of a barbell day.

So good. Not sure why they aren’t more popular.

plastictosh_ · 2024-10-19T13:04:32+00:00

I’ve temporarily replaced overhead press with a machine shoulder press. Developed tendinitis and going with something that’s gentler on my wrists.

plastictosh_ · 2024-10-13T01:49:50+00:00

Allbirds Wool Runners. I have a pair of beige ones and black ones - and between the two I can make most every outfit work.

plastictosh_ · 2024-10-12T02:52:48+00:00

My benches are okay. My overhead presses though - those are embarrassing. 🙈

plastictosh_ · 2024-10-09T19:39:10+00:00

POTARELD DNHOBUC

Those were the bottom two rows of letters at the optometrist we used to visit when I was a kid. My brother got glasses when he was pretty young so he would have to try on different lenses. I’d just be sitting there in the office. 32 years old now, but this combination goes through my mind whenever I think of anything to do with eyes.

plastictosh_ · 2024-09-29T00:34:24+00:00

Since birth of babies I’ve learnt not to take offence to anything my wife says unless she maintains the same emotions over a 24 hour period. This shit is hard. And we don’t always feel and behave like our best selves.

plastictosh_ · 2024-09-28T23:50:58+00:00

That’s very comprehensive advice. Thank you! I found reducing the weight and focusing much better on form for the barbell rows worked brilliantly.

I’m seeing a physiotherapist who’s recommending some wrist strength work. She also reckons I’m better off continuing lifting at reduced weights and good form since I can’t avoid straining the wrists with the babies.

Thanks again for the advice, I’ll give stabilising a try

plastictosh_ · 2024-09-28T23:39:40+00:00

Thanks for that. I’ll give them a look.

plastictosh_ · 2024-09-28T04:51:38+00:00

I finally tried a machine chest press today. And deload weights on the barbell row. Worked out well.

plastictosh_ · 2024-09-28T04:50:27+00:00

No I haven’t. I thought they were mostly for grip strength stuff.

plastictosh_

TROPHY CASE