Overall Health and Fitness

[Deborah]

To that great egg breakfast add a slice of ham or some bacon.  That's a good way to get a healthy amount of protein first thing in the morning.  A glass of milk would also be good if you're not lactose intolerant.


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[elkie-t]

elkie-t - i used to do karate... if you count the after school caregiver teaching us some stuff as "karate"... or the basic intro freebies that i pestered my parents into taking me to..... i always wanted to continue it but my parents kept putting it off. I might look into what's available around here, because i wouldn't say no to any of that!

I signed up in a gym that offers plenty of combat classes - boxing, Muay Thai and Krav Maga. There are many different people (of either sex, build, shape and strength) and instructors watch very carefully to avoid injuries. Again, plenty of fun, a lot of functional strength training and cardio, and you have to learn how to do a proper punch/kick (and usually we practice in pairs - so you get idea what it is like to be against someone who might be bigger and stronger than you, and then still know a thing or two to at least surprise him and run away).

Given the fact that women and trans-folk are more likely to be attacked by haters (who are always bigger and stronger and outnumbering you) - it makes a perfect sense that MMA and combative sports / self-defense classes are so popular among both sexes and definitely not 'guys-only' thing.

I don't go there as a trans-girl, since I don't go anywhere as one after I suppressed that side of me a while ago, but it definitely won't be any more difficult or unsafe to go to my gym as a transwoman than to go to a food store. The business owner wants your membership as much as anyone's else, instructors are there watching for safe exercises (it's bad business if someone injures you badly, even unintentionally), and there's plenty of padding/protective gear to prevent serious injury even if someone would want to do a bit extra to you. Again - imo- it's better to be prepared and conditioned to fight in a controlled environment with people watching out for your safety, than be unprepared and forced to fight for your life in some dark alley against people willing and capable of doing serious injury. A few bruises and scratches received in the process of learning might be a small price to pay in the long run.

[TK9NY]

Re: trying new fruit/veg - any suggestions on where to start?    Yeah, i know, i'm a newb, and i keep asking stuff. Gotta start somewhere though! If i had to choose just one or two to try, keeping in mind i'm trying to stay low carb and low sugar, what would you guys recommend? Avocado seems to be a popular suggestion all around so that's on the list.

I just went shopping and bought a bunch of healthy fresh stuff. Mostly meats and seasonings, cheeses, etc - which i'm going to do something with tomorrow (lol). I didn't buy any fruit/veg because i'm going to go to a different store that i know has a better selection, and i plan on doing that tomorrow morning.

I also went through my cupboards and got rid of a lot. Most of it was out of date, proving just how much i don't actually eat it (boxed pastas and meals - highly processed stuff). I only have half of a shelf with high carb processed foods that i probably won't eat but still do occasionally enjoy - cheat meals if i ever want them, and they're way up top (i can't reach them easily) so i figure why the heck not leave them there. The rest is fairly healthy cooking stuff. Pat on the back for me!

I'm halfway through a calisthenics program that i found a while back - the program has you do daily 20-30 minute work outs with the occasional rest day, but i've been following it fairly loosely (as in not always doing it every day). Along with some hand weights and bodyweight stuff when i feel the urge, usually on the days i don't do the program, i've made SOME progress with strength. I feel muscles. I can do knee push ups or elevated push ups for reps - could never do either, and i'm close to being able to do a regular push up. I'm also becoming more flexible - i could never touch my toes without bending my legs, and now i'm only an inch or two away. The moves are getting harder as i go - crow pose, tripod, headstand, wall assist hand stand... i can do them, barely, but it's something i could never do before and every time i practice it gets easier. Once this program is done i have another, more advanced one.

Plus i got my spin bike for Christmas like i asked for. It came the other day. My parents had it sent to my house. But i wasn't allowed to open it and can't until after christmas. I'll be downloading some programs for that to start after the holidays and i'm shockingly excited to start - i usually hate doing cardio stuff. I'm also looking into local places that offer combat classes like elkie-t suggested. There are a few in town, and a couple more within 15 minutes drive from me. I'll check them out after the holidays too, maybe gear up to sign up for one in the spring.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions so far!