Posts by velvetmoose9

Jack Ward82 said:@velvetmoose9/">@@velvetmoose9
grožđe2 is definitely a girl... and a damn good one if you can even tell 😁
but yeah, you're spot on there 😉

As for Auklinton, did I totally wreck him? 🙈🙈🙈
Honestly, I can deal with people like that; I'd much rather run drills with women than with Nušk types 😍 Yeah, I guess the instructions really should be a little more precise then.
@grožđe2, my bad...

Ashley Baker34 said:Since I don't have a regular gym schedule right now because of college—I just hit it whenever I can, maybe two or three times a week—is this a good way to start? It's my first time trying something like this.

Honestly, this is one of the best protein supplements you can find in the States if you're just working out for fun. It’s a multi-component blend, so it’s got those fast-absorbing proteins along with the slow-release stuff, plus a bunch of other extras. It feels really well-balanced and they have a massive variety of flavors. In my book, it's the perfect choice for a recreational lifter who manages to get to the gym at least three times a week. People also tend to use it as a sort of meal replacement—though you should only really lean on that if you're stuck in a situation where you actually can't sit down for a full meal. Like, if you're dealing with a brutal college schedule where timing and logistics are a total nightmare and you can't grab food, then yeah, feel free to toss about 30g in a shaker and mix it with water whenever you finally get a breather 😉. As for dosing, it really depends on your body weight, how hard you're training, how long you're at it, and what else you're eating throughout the day. You won't go wrong if you take roughly 30g (mixed with water) about 2 to 2.5 hours before your workout, and then another 30g immediately after. Actually, it might make sense to split that post-workout dose—maybe drink half right after you finish, and then have the rest about an hour before you head to bed. On your off days, you’ll probably want to aim for somewhere between 30g and 50g of protein, depending on what you're aiming for—whether you're trying to lean out, bulk up, or just get more toned—but honestly, you'd need to talk to a properly educated trainer to nail down those specifics
. The real question you should be asking is, "How will I even know if I actually need a supplement, and how will I tell if it's working?" Objectively speaking, if you're eating a balanced diet and you're happy with your current physique while hitting the gym for an hour or two, two or three times a week, I don't see much reason to swap real food for powder. By the way, I noticed the price has jumped quite a bit over the last few years; I'm not sure if it's still being manufactured in Germany... Anyway, you won't make a mistake if you consume it, but I can't promise you'll see some overnight transformation or anything tangible...

@violando, I think we’re actually getting kind of close to pinpointing what’s going on here.
Look, you really need to go see your doctor so they can figure out exactly which part of your knee is acting up. It’s all just guesswork until then—you don't know if you're dealing with intra-articular issues, stuff happening around the joint itself, or maybe a messy combination of both. Plus, a pro needs to decide what kind of treatment actually makes sense for you, whether that’s localized stuff like gels and creams or systemic options like pills, and how long you’ll need to stick with it. That’s definitely territory you should leave to the experts. While you're there, make sure to ask them when it’s safe to start rehab exercises and specifically what kind of movements you should be focusing on.
As for things you can handle on your own without making things worse, here is the drill: fix your sitting posture right now. Crossing your legs while sitting is honestly terrible for your joints. If you’re lying down, try propping a pillow under your knees so they aren't locked straight, but rather slightly bent. Also, stay away from running for at least 4 to 6 weeks (or even longer if it still hurts when you try). Before you even think about hitting the pavement again, you really ought to knock out some rehab or corrective exercises to stabilize that knee—and please, make sure you're doing this under the eye of someone who actually knows what they're doing—like a physical therapist, a doctor, or even a solid trainer at your local gym. Just a heads-up: avoid any movement, activity, or position that triggers or ramps up the pain. By the way, you might want to come up with a little penalty for yourself whenever you catch yourself crossing your legs. Maybe buy a round of drinks for your buddies every single time you slip up, or donate $17to a charity supporting American Paralympians, take the trash out for your neighbors, or do the dishes.😍

rustyfalcon24 said:My knee has been acting up on me lately. Back before summer, after I went for a longer run than usual, I started feeling this dull ache whenever I bent it under some weight. It didn't really clear up for two or three weeks because, honestly, I kept trying to push through and run whenever I felt like I could—which was definitely a mistake, I know. I took a break from running all summer and things seemed fine when I jumped back in, but then I recently pushed myself through another longer route than my norm, and today I’ve got that slight pain again just walking around. Once it warms up, it feels alright, but once it cools down, I can tell the issue is still there..

Any advice? 😢

Look, the knee is a pretty complicated joint, and you really ought to have a doctor take a look at it. Trying to diagnose this over an internet forum is kind of reckless since we don't even have specifics on where it hurts or what the sensation actually feels like... Like, has this knee been injured before in general? Is this specific type of pain totally new, or has it popped up in the past? Did you have an old ankle injury on the same side or the opposite one? Any old knee injuries on the other leg? Do you spend a lot of time sitting with your legs crossed? What about the incline or the surface quality of where you're running? Are you wearing decent running shoes? That bit about how it might suggest that we're looking at an old, improperly healed injury somewhere in the knee area. You should definitely stay away from running for now; likely lunges will be painful, too. A squat with moderate weight (assuming your form is solid and your stance is wide enough) probably won't hurt—but hey, that's just me guessing...

hollowdrifter3 said:I’m dealing with something pretty similar, honestly. I really should have taken it more seriously and actually gone to see a specialist or something, but I just haven't. I can’t even do a single push-up without this sharp pressure in my right wrist; I first realized how bad it was during a heavy lifting session a few months back, and it’s been the exact same nagging issue ever since. I still try to get my push-ups in, but I have to wrap my wrist tight with a brace every single time, and I’m constantly slathering it in Tiger Balm, Voltaren, or Icy Hot... Usually, push-ups are the one exercise that absolutely triggers the pain.

This is dragging on way too long. Was there some kind of injury from a while back? Honestly, wrapping it up might be doing you more harm than good—you’re probably just aggravating the joint further and essentially lying to yourself by delaying the actual fix. You really ought to see a doctor, at least for a basic check-up and maybe an X-ray or some blood work. Those creams and gels are fine for surface-level stuff, but they don't really penetrate deep enough into the joint to fix anything substantial.

Karen Adams2 said:I’m in the exact same boat; I can barely do them at all. And now, my right ankle is starting to act up too. I’ve never had these kinds of issues before, aside from the push-up thing, so I’m totally lost on what to do next. I haven't worked out in two days because even putting a little extra weight on that foot sends a spike of pain through me.🤷

If there wasn't a specific, sudden accident or some repetitive strain you can point to as the cause, you really need to go see a primary care physician. It’s worth getting a baseline exam along with some X-rays or lab tests, because what you're describing could potentially be something systemic—like a rheumatoid issue, an autoimmune thing (especially if there's a history of that in your family), or even just some lingering infection or whatever else might be going on internally...

Are you talking about your wrist? Honestly, sounds like you might have just come out of the gate a little too fast. The angle between your hand and your forearm is huge, though—it’s everything. I’m guessing (and let's be real, assumptions are usually where things go sideways) that you’re doing pushups with flat palms on the floor? If that's the case, try switching it up. Grab some dumbbells or even kettlebells and use those as handles instead. Try to keep your forearm and the back of your hand at about a 180-degree angle—basically, keep your hand formed like you're throwing a punch. If you’ve ever messed around with martial arts or anything like that, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Just keep that forearm turned slightly outward. Your hand width during the movement can also play a role in how much stress you're putting on the joint. Now, if this is actually some underlying medical issue manifesting in your joints—which is way less likely, but still—you should probably check in with your primary care doctor just to be safe. And hey, if you drop a few more pounds of body fat, you might find things feel a whole lot better overall 😉

jadeowl said:I’ve got a quick question... I just can't stomach whey mixed with water; it honestly makes me want to gag every single time. Is it actually okay to mix it with milk instead? Maybe something like skim or 1% so it isn't too heavy? 😁
I know everyone and their mother swears by mixing it with water for faster absorption, but my stomach just won't have it. 🙂

Just grab some basic fruit juice from a concentrate—lemon, orange, cherry, blueberry, elderberry, strawberry... whatever you're feeling. Or even a Gatorade if you want. Use your imagination. 😉

George Collins80 said:What do you guys think—which of these whey isolates is actually the "best":

MuscleTech Nitro-Tech - sounds pretty hardcore 😁
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard - long history, no aspartame included
Gold Standard Whey - people say this one is top-tier but it's pretty pricey, so I'm wondering if it's actually worth the money?
Or should I just look for something else entirely? 🤣
Thanks in advance!

MuscleTech was a pretty respected brand about 10 years back; since they manufactured over in Germany, everything was held to those strict German standards—though who knows how things have changed lately. Weider is technically a US Company, but most of the stuff hitting our shelves is usually made and quality-checked over in Germany anyway. Honestly, you can't really go wrong with either of them. There are plenty of other solid candidates for high-quality whey out there too, so once you narrow it down, let me know and we can dive deeper.
😉

Carl Sullivan22 said:hmm... yeah, those are the ones I was thinking about, or rather, actually bought...
I’m not really a big fan of powders—I much prefer getting everything from whole foods—but I usually manage to hit about 35g of protein a day naturally. I was hoping to bump that up to maybe 55-70g by adding some supplements just to make sure I'm hitting my goals... so that's why I was asking if the stuff from Vitamin Shoppe is better (since I think it's the cheapest option out there? Or does GNC have something superior?) or if I should just skip the powder entirely and try to squeeze an extra 15-25g out of my regular meals instead.

Sometimes, bloating is just one of those side effects you get with cheap "protein" supplements, and honestly, the stuff you picked up falls right into that category. If you start feeling like a balloon, just give it away to someone else and grab a higher-quality brand for yourself...

Jeremy Nguyen61 said:Hey, anyone got a sec to help me out?...
I picked up some protein powder over in Canada about a year ago. I ended up with a huge stash because I took a break from hitting the gym for a while, so there's still a ton left. Now that I'm back at it and trying to drink it, it’s got this weird bitter taste. I'm wondering if it actually went bad—like, if it's spoiled, what am I looking at here? Can I still drink it, or is it actually DANGEROUS?

PS - It's the vanilla flavor, though I gotta check if the chocolate one tastes the same too.

Yeah, they can definitely go bad. Honestly, some brands even put a label on the tub telling you exactly how long it stays good after you pop the seal, assuming you've been storing it properly in a cool, dry spot. I'm not a doctor, so I don't know every single thing that could go wrong, but you're definitely looking at potential dehydration or a nasty bout of food poisoning... which isn't exactly ideal when you're trying to bulk up. You'll end up losing way more progress from being sick than you'd ever gain by forcing down a sketchy supplement. 😉 Btw, sometimes a change in flavor is just subjective. Since it's been a whole year since you last had it, your palate might have just "forgotten" what the original flavor was supposed to be like... so it's not always a definitive sign it's rancid. My advice? Just toss it in the toilet and flush.

goldencyclist60 said:you’re totally ignoring the fact that fructose replenishes liver glycogen, which glucose just doesn't do.
avoiding it is just plain stupid...

Well, now you've actually got me curious... Alright, why don't you draw me a little diagram—maybe drop a link—showing how liver glycogen is made up of (according to you) fructose molecules instead of glucose... And who exactly is this "policeman" (that enzyme you're hinting at) that stops glucose from forming liver glycogen (which, mind you, makes up about 10% of the total mass of an average healthy person's liver) and insists on "filling liver glycogen (exclusively) with fructose"... Is it glycogenin, glycogen synthase, some kind of "branching enzyme," or maybe UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase? Maybe you could walk me through this, specifically for someone who gets nothing but 5%, 10%, or 20% glucose IV drips for "food" and somehow lacks liver glycogen. Or, wait, maybe they actually *do* have it, depending on how much glucose is being pumped in?... Give me a bit of a breakdown on how high doses of fructose actually impact LDL levels and triglycerides over the long haul (and how those things play into cardiovascular and cerebrovascular incidents), not to mention the spike in visceral fat ("it's stupid to avoid it" ?????? )... In your view, does someone who avoids fructose end up with a liver that's 10% lighter than someone who consumes it?... These are pretty straightforward questions, and while I'm clearly no expert, it shouldn't be too much trouble for a nutrition guru like yourself to clear things up... Look, I'm not questioning that fructose can be a useful sugar for the body, but I'd love to see some references or just hear your actual reasoning behind these claims...

Carol Palmer44 said:Can I swap out the dextrose for a banana and some raisins? I was thinking instead of the usual shake with whey, dextrose, and about 16 ounces of water, I could just toss a banana and a handful of raisins into the blender, mix it all up, and drink that instead??

Honestly, you could just eat the banana or those raisins right after your workout, then wait maybe 15 or 20 minutes before knocking back your whey mixed with water...