Birdwing

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Can you schedule the appointments for a different time? Like, keep your gym routine and go after a workout?

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So my question is: if it does in fact lower the muscle-building stuff, what can one do to increase it? I know it's like taking something and then taking something else to treat the side effects of the first thing, but why not?

I have an IUD too, but the hormonal one. I was in a monogamous relationship, never been pregnant. Planned parenthood gave it to me, no problem, it was even free because I'm poor. Awesome! I have crippling periods and I wanted it for the chance of getting rid of them entirely (there's talk that the copper iud makes them worse - no thanks!!!) It has the lowest possible amount of hormones you can get of any birth control, because they're localized and in the place where they need to go. Some women gain weight in such a way that they look slightly pregnant with it, though. Mine might be giving me issues right now, and thats throwing me off, but damn it's nice to not have periods and not have to worry about contraception at all. I've never felt better about all that. I'm so happy that I don't even care that the thing is very possibly trying to force its way out of my body right now :|

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You'd be much better off eating vitamin rich food, and, barring that, taking vitamins, and drinking water than drinking that sugary stuff, which probably doesn't have nearly enough vitamins to make it worth it. But if you don't believe me, some folks tried to sue Coke about how they marketed it as "healthy", and Coke basically said, "nobody can reasonably be led to believe that this stuff is healthy": http://m.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/01/coca-cola-vitamin-water-obesity (Not the best source, but I believe they do link the original statements) Why not do what's truly best for your body, instead of buying in to marketing? Have you seen "Idiocracy"? Heard of Brawndo? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vw2CrY9Igs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-Vw2CrY9Igs

I'd be interested. A lot can happen in two years. I'm a n00b now, but in two years...*rubs hands together* I'll be awesome and healthy and stuff.

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All I have to say is, watch out with the flavored ones. I've had several friends who have tried to quit smoking (or be healthier about it), and came across the flavored e-cigs, and ended up more addicted to the flavors than they ever were to cigarettes. I guess it's not so bad if you get to the point where it's truly water vapor, but there's got to be something in that flavoring and all that. Plus, man, hate to be rough and borderline rude, but couldn't you find something better to do with your time than inhale water vapor? If it takes 2 minutes to smoke and you smoke 20 a day, that's 40 minutes, plus any prep time to get cigarettes out and go to where you like to smoke, could easily be an hour added up... Just sayin'. I support your goal of weaning yourself down. But, I guess there's worse hobbies than inhaling water vapor for an hour a day.

Wait...what's wrong with ketchup, now? *reads* Oh, corn syrup. Oh my gosh, what am I getting myself into...(I'm trying this diet out too, now, but never realized there was so much to it!) I have a Subway across the street from where I work, so I was reading up on that. According to this thread on Reddit, the Subway chicken isn't the best chicken. They recommend making sure that the chicken "flakes", and, if it doesn't, it's probably a Franken-meat. I'm not sure what would be so wrong with getting a big salad, perhaps even leaving off the meat, and either bringing your own dressing (some kind of lemon juice or something), or try vinegar and spicy mustard like someone in this thread on another forum did. Ye gods, I know it. It's insane. I can get a whole 5# bag of similar-quality potatoes at Wal-Mart for under $2. I am living with my parents too, now, due to financial hell, and I accidentally took over the whole fridge with healthy food on our last shopping trip. I'm planning on cooking up a bunch of it today, packing it tightly in containers, and then I'll be all set to just grab something and eat that when we're all going to eat out. I was a vegetarian for 7-1/2 years, and now I'm trying this, so they're used to me trying out "funky diets". I just got really tired of only being able to order one thing on the menu, because I don't like asking for substitutions at restaurants (I much prefer going somewhere where you build the whole thing as you go - like Subway or Chipotle - AGH I miss Chipotle, there's none around here). Taco Bell was doing a Chipotle-esque "Cantina bowl" that might be worth looking into more. And I second looking for more independent restaurants - they probably have lesser access to Frankenfoods, and are more willing to work with you on substitutions and all, because they're a smaller business trying to build clientele and stay open? (I have amazing luck with Mexican places, fajitas, mmm)

They're worth a listen. KMFDM is a great band. I had the fortune of getting my eardrums blown out by them, and then meeting them all, a few months ago. If you ever get a chance to see them, do it. Same with Rammstein, of course - epic, epic shows. Eisbrecher and Megaherz (a lot of the same band members, BTW) are a lot like Rammstein, you'll probably find a lot of great stuff in there. If you're into more growly, angry things, try Oomph's old stuff ("Bastard" is one of my favorites). But yeah, feel free to message me anytime if you'd like any specific song recommendations.

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I've dealt with that before, and if it's on the back of my heel it's usually because I'm not stretching enough and/or not drinking enough water. I'm a total newbie to all of this, but the stretch that helped me was this: stand on a curb or stair, face away from the edge, and just put the front half of your foot on the curb, with your heels hanging off (you can do it one foot at a time if you want). Then gently, slowly, bring your heel(s) down. You can adjust the position of your foot for different stretches. Maybe that'll help a little tiny bit. *shrug*

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I'm really into German stuff. You've probably heard of Rammstein. You may not have heard of Eisbrecher, Megaherz, Oomph!, Tanzwut, Subway to Sally, In Extremo, Zeraphine, E Nomine, Letzte Instanz, ASP, Nachtmahr, Die!, Blutengel, Staubkind, Zeromancer, Stahlhammer, Eisheilig, Lacrimosa, Unheilig, And One, Das Ich, Laibach, Umbra et Imago, etc. Many of the above have several English songs. There's also some bands who do about 50/50 German and English, but are worth mentioning - Die Krupps and KMFDM (also MDFMK). There's also Hanzel und Gretyl - sort of a NDH parody band, but pretty good and worth a mention.

There's a few types that have bits that hook behind your ears - those are lots better. I like the "ear clip" headphones which cover more of my ear than earbuds, but there's also some that are more like earbuds that also hook around the ear.

Oh my, I love it!! (And the shoes)

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Great tips,albeus51! I have a similar goal, but am just starting out, and I was wondering how best to tackle the running.