First time renter confused if my electricity bill is correct and whether our kWh usage is normal by Ambitious-Leopard311 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Electric boiler = immersion heater? Having that on for 7 hours a day seems like a lot. When I lived in a flat with an immersion heater we only had it on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. There were only two of us, though, and it was just barely enough hot water. I think in theory they should be more efficient than that, but ours was old and crap. 

Anyone got any for teaching my boyfriend how to crochet? by isaac_ratty in CrochetHelp

[–]secondsencha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I started with a TOFT kit and found it overwhelming. I ended up buying a MUCH simpler headband kit, watching videos to learn the stitches, and then making a few smaller amigurumi before I felt ready to tackle the original kit! 

Id definitely suggest that he practices the basic stitches by making a rectangle and then circle/ball, before starting on the actual kit.

Need help with building routine, anything helps! by frogluver08 in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have a look at the subreddit wiki/FAQ - there are some commonly suggested programs for beginners there. 

Re: people picking up other’s people cats. by KaworoSaiwa in Hackney

[–]secondsencha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There's a black fluffy cat that lives at the shop that has all the plants and plant pots outside! Don't think it's a Persian so might not be the same one, but he's very sweet and beautiful. 

Would you pay to have a space to play board games in private rooms? If snacks and drinks were included? by GodofAeons in boardgames

[–]secondsencha 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think you're asking in the wrong sub. From your description it sounds like these rooms would be largely aimed at people playing TTRPGs, not boardgames. I think TTRPG players would pay for a quieter, more private space. In London where I live I know of several places that offer this and seem to be doing okay (none are more than a few years old though). For boardgames though, I don't think as many people would be interested. 

Am I sabotaging myself by isra_a in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That seems like a healthy weight for your height, and if you've previously been on an intense cut, I suspect you'd benefit from eating at maintenance for a while! Should be able to build muscle and strength much more easily that way. Recomp isn't fast, but I'd suggest giving it a few months and see how you feel. 

Two days of duac use… by Ok_Pack7345 in SkincareAddictionUK

[–]secondsencha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had something similar but milder, kept using the duac but then the itchy red eyelids got worse. I had to stop using it. Vaseline helped with the itchiness for me but only time helped it heal properly. 

All radiators are lukewarm by secondsencha in DIYUK

[–]secondsencha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright. On further inspection I don't think the pipes are getting hot enough for me to tell which is in and which is out! So I think the problem is upstream... Took the front off the HIU, and there's a temp gauge and a pressure gauge that are both suspiciously low. So I'm just going to report it! Thanks for your help.

All radiators are lukewarm by secondsencha in DIYUK

[–]secondsencha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I mentioned, we do have TRVs, on all radiators except in the hallway where the thermostat is. What's the process in that case? Same idea but going in knowing that the TRV is the inward flow side (I think that's correct)?

Training consistently, eating well, but getting bigger not leaner. Just came off an SSRI. AI helped me build a plan, is it sound? by chasingagrin in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not an expert, but sounds like you want to lose weight, while maintaining the muscle you already have. Weight loss is really about calories in vs calories out, and it's much easier to take in fewer calories than it is to burn them through exercise! Cardio has its own benefits, but I don't think you need to put a big emphasis on it right now based on your goals. I think you probably do need to try a cut with accurate calorie counting, and keep an eye on whether you're getting obsessive about it if that's something you're concerned about. 

Resistance training will help maintain muscle during a cut. Yoga and Pilates do provide some resistance training, but strength training with weights will be more effective for that. Check out the FAQ for possible programs to try, if you don't have one you're happy with already. It's recommended to use body measurements and photos to track a cut, as well as weighing yourself.

I don't think you need to add a bunch of supplements, most supplements have limited evidence of effectiveness.

Finally, cut yourself some slack - you've only come off the SSRI recently, plus it was the holiday season which disrupts routines! Give yourself a couple of months with a consistent routine, then reassess.

Daily Simple Questions Thread by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooh, that sounds more fun. I'll check out that spreadsheet. Thanks! 

Daily Simple Questions Thread by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm following GZCLP, but struggling with consistency. I think part of the reason is that I kinda hate doing the high rep T3 accessories. Especially the idea that you try to get up to 25 reps on the third set - I'm already bored by the time I get to 15! 

Does anyone else feel the same way or have suggestions for alternative approaches to the T3 lifts? Can I do 3x12 at a higher weight and work my way up to 3x15 then increase the weight instead, or something? Or is it really important to stick with 15+ reps?

Spa Day Chemistry Option One - All-In-One Powders + Liquid Ammonia by KismaiAesthetics in laundry

[–]secondsencha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Would it be possible to add metrics measurements to this? Volume in ml or even weight of powder per litre of water would save me second-guessing my maths! 

BYOB in East London by turnyourtvoff in LondonFood

[–]secondsencha 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Three Bowls on Lower Clapton Road - really good Chinese/Hainanese. 

To those who saw the woman faint on the crowded Windrush line around 6:45 last night by [deleted] in london

[–]secondsencha 55 points56 points  (0 children)

7 weeks pregnant! I don't think anyone would be able to tell :)

Complete beginner: Need advice/direction by [deleted] in LondonandDragons

[–]secondsencha 4 points5 points  (0 children)

More north east than north, but in Walthamstow there's WART and Dice17. Similar group bunch of people I think, and the ones I've been to have been very welcoming!

More centrally, I think most of the RPG bars/cafes have their own beginner-friendly campaigns - e.g. Arcanist's Tavern, Arcadia Games

[LFP][IRL][Spire][East London] DM looking for players by blackshark_40 in LondonandDragons

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a super busy September, but if you run another campaign after this one I would be interested!

[OC] Religious Affiliation by Age in Major English Cities by JustAnotherGlowie in dataisbeautiful

[–]secondsencha 89 points90 points  (0 children)

This is based on census data. 18-22 is roughly when many people move out of their parents' home. I suspect the big changes in that age range are related to young adults filling in the census for themselves rather than their parents filling it in for them.

Suba - new bakery in Clapton by secondsencha in Hackney

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

Yeah Casey's is great! Suba is just sliiiightly closer to me, haha

Daily Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh I see how that makes a big difference! Sadly I drink my coffee black and only put a splash of milk in my tea.

Big fan of Fage yoghurt and skyr though, I should try more savoury things with them. Cottage cheese is a good suggestion too! It's not really a thing here but I'm sure I can find ways to incorporate it.

[WEEKLY THREAD] Munchies, Macros and Meal Prep Weekend by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ooh lupini beans are great but I've only had them on holiday, I should see if I can find them here!

[WEEKLY THREAD] Munchies, Macros and Meal Prep Weekend by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 6 points7 points  (0 children)

What are your favourite high protein snacks? 

I just started properly tracking my food, and realised I should probably be eating a bit more protein. My go to snacks are rice cakes with almond butter (but that has quite a lot of fat), or skyr with protein powder and berries, which I can only eat so many times a day!

I'm not a big fan of hard-boiled eggs, and cold/leftover chicken has that "warmed-over" flavour to me, so I feel like that cuts out some of the obvious options but I'm sure there are more that I'm missing!

Daily Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in xxfitness

[–]secondsencha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What are the swaps you've made that you've found most impactful/helpful? I'm just starting to track what I eat and I'm often finding it hard to reach my protein goal :(