Posts by Brian Kim5

Thanks, everyone! I picked up some B complex and was told to take six tablets a day since I’ve been looking pale and totally washed out. Things are finally starting to turn around—I'm eating normally now and grabbing food whenever the mood strikes—but I'm still not quite back to 100%... Still, the important thing is that it's heading in the right direction!

Hey everyone, I just went through a brutal bout of the flu, and my fever finally broke about five days ago. But here’s the thing: I haven't been able to eat for a week straight. I'm forcing myself to swallow tiny bites just to stay upright, but honestly, the mere smell of cooked food makes my stomach turn. Is it actually normal to lose your appetite for this long after having the flu? Has anyone else dealt with this? How long did it take for your appetite to finally come back?
During the flu, I didn't have any major digestive issues aside from some softer stools, which unfortunately hasn't cleared up yet. Thanks.

coastaltiger7 said:Look, let me try to offer a little consolation here. 😁
I’ve been constantly active in sports—at one point I was even playing semi-pro—but that didn't necessarily mean I was putting on weight.

But if you start working out, your appetite will definitely increase and you'll feel better physically; once your body starts toning up, I'm sure you'll feel much more satisfied with yourself. 🙂

Is it because you're thin that you don't want to be around people?
Hopefully, I'm reading you wrong.

True, but you have to admit that your muscles have shaped up from all that sports, and you don't look quite as skinny anymore.
Oh please, David Ross3, that’s exactly what I used to think too—that everyone would just stare at me while I have absolutely no clue how to actually work out. It's completely unrealistic.
Honestly, everyone there is just minding their own business. Maybe those younger high school kids might comment on supplements or exercises among themselves since they usually show up in groups, but nobody is staring at you. People aren't even going to notice you. Besides, they're paying for that gym membership; they aren't going to waste their time watching you when they could be training. In the beginning, a trainer will show you how the machines work, and after that, you're on your own.
I lose motivation at home all the time. My space is tiny; my bed is right there, and then the TV immediately grabs my attention... At the gym, everyone is working out, the space is huge, and the atmosphere is way more motivating.

Linda Robinson49 said:It feels kind of embarrassing being around strangers, especially since I'm not exactly a social person. I'm always worrying and overanalyzing everything, and even now, I've already got this voice in my head telling me someone might be watching me. 😬 😵 I'd be happiest if I could just be there by myself. 😁🎉

It makes sense, but you’re honestly better off at a gym. Since you're on the skinnier side, you really should steer clear of excessive cardio—like constant running—and focus way more on strength training. Think dumbbells, barbell squats, kettlebells... the works. It’s much easier to get things done at a gym because all the equipment is right there waiting for you, plus the motivation factor is miles higher than working out in your living room. And look, the gym isn't some scary place. There are plenty of them everywhere, they're constantly running promotions, and you'll find young staff members ready to show you how to actually use the machines. Why wouldn't you just give it a shot?

Here’s a few things that actually worked for me and gave me some peace of mind 😁
It isn't even really about what you're eating—it’s about how you’re fueling your body. You need to be eating a heavy breakfast every single morning. And listen, if you aren't working out, you're wasting your time. You won't suddenly turn into a bodybuilder, but your body is going to demand more protein to handle the physical strain, otherwise, you'll just end up putting on weight. Basically, your body doesn't need massive amounts of energy if you're sitting around doing nothing, so it just rejects a good portion of what you eat because your metabolism is so fast. Some people gain weight the second they stop moving because their metabolism crawls, but you're the exact opposite. When your body doesn't have a reason to use energy, it just sheds it, and you lose weight. Plus, once you start training, you’re going to have an appetite like a beast. That’s why hitting the gym is non-negotiable. It’s what gives your body shape and builds those healthy, lean muscles. You aren't built to look like a massive meathead anyway, so don't aim for that. If you smoke, quit. Ditch the coffee too. Between meals, grab some almonds or walnuts. Focus on chicken, cheese, veggies, fruit, and eggs. Drink smoothies made with fruit, milk, and chocolate...

Lately, I’ve been thinking hard about signing up for something to help me clear my head.
Yoga is on the table, but do you know of anything else that actually works? Something with a bit more energy?
I’ve been feeling drawn to boxing recently. 😁
I'm really glad to hear that worked out for you.

I heard today that women who deal with super painful periods might actually have an easier time with childbirth since they’re already conditioned for that kind of pain. I don't know if that's total nonsense or not, but somehow it's comforting 😁

I misspoke... If I start seeing any heavy side effects like last time, I'm stopping immediately... Anyway, thanks for the support 😁

Thanks, I’ll definitely head back there and give something else a shot. If it works, great; if I realize right away that it’s a bust, I won't bother telling anyone.

Hey Dotty, thanks for getting back to me. 🙂 I get the theory that it’s different for everyone, but after that episode with the birth control, I swore I was done with it—even if I find myself thinking about trying again every single month when my period hits. I’ve dealt with PMS, breakouts, and a whole laundry list of other issues because of them. I guess I just fell into that cycle of accepting it as my "normal."
I've been through a lot, and I'm definitely not someone who cries easily; my pain tolerance is actually pretty high. But this? This is unbearable. It puts me straight in bed, completely sidelining me from work... In short, it's a nightmare.

I just need to vent to someone, somewhere... I’ve had debilitating menstrual cramps for as long as I can remember, and every single month they just get worse. This morning, my period started around 7 AM; I ended up vomiting nine times. I ended up taking a cocktail of Voltaren, Ketonal, and Ibuprofen, plus another Voltaren suppository. It sounds like way too much, I know, but it’s the only combination that actually dulls the pain, even if it doesn't make it disappear completely. Last time, the pain was so intense I actually blacked out. I was lying in bed, the agony was unbearable, and then everything just went dark—I didn't fall asleep, I just lost consciousness. I woke up three hours later...
I’ve seen plenty of gynecologists, including specialists in private practice, and they all tell me the same thing: there’s nothing "wrong" with me, it’s just the shape of my uterus that causes the pain. I tried using birth control to manage it, but that actually made things worse and didn't help at all. Honestly, I am at my wits' end and have no idea what to do anymore. 😢

I’m not sure if there’s already a thread for this, but I couldn't find one. Basically, my lips are constantly chapped. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter—they just crack, hurt, and peel constantly. I’ve tried every balm, cream, and oil under the sun, but nothing seems to work. I follow all the standard advice, too; I don't lick them and I'm actually really careful about it, yet they still look terrible. Sometimes they get so bad they actually start bleeding. What am I supposed to do? Could this be pointing to an underlying health issue, or am I just stuck with chronically dry lips? Thanks for any help.