Women's Fitness

Hey everyone! Here to ask if there are some cool hacks or tricks you've learned/practiced to reduce starch. I've been cooking my pasta al dente since reading this comment and also refrigerating it for 12 hours before I eat it and it's been a life-changer. I'm currently re-incorporating carbs in my meals now because a year ago when I found out I was diabetic, I went completely low-carb. Any other tips you enjoy practicing for diabetes?

Have any of you dealt with your period being longer than usual? I would only bleed 4 days at best until the last two months but ever since, my period has been about 6-7 days. Is this unusual or have you all had varying period lengths?? Not thrilled about this change at all. At least, I don't cramp on all days!

Anyone out here who likes to fast with their cycle? I follow Dr.Mindy Pelz' system of going hard with the fasts in the first five days of your cycle and then slowly easing out leading up to the day of your period. I'm fairly new to it (about 4 months in) and I can't tell if I see any particular benefits but I do know that I'm finding it extremely hard to follow in these colder months. I wasn't able to get past even one day of fasting this month .... any tips on how to fast in the winter?

Any others on this bowl who have a seriously hard time drinking enough water? I have the nicest friends and family members who pretty much take the role of this duck lol but no matter how much I try, I can't hit the water intake I need. It just doesn't come naturally to me and I hate that I struggle with such a simple thing. What's a hack that has legitimately worked for you?

I've heard so much about collagen doing wonders for gut health, skin, and hair. Any members on the bowl that would like to testify? I am planning to buy this brand, but I thought I should ask for recommendations here before I did. How do you take it? With meals or before?

I've been obsessed with apple and peanut butter for my evening snack but a part of me feels guilty of eating it because it feels too goo to be healthy for daily consumption. And I should mention that I go heavy on the peanut butter (about 3 tbsps). Do you think this is a safe snack on the daily? If not, what are some of your staples? Would love ideas so I can swap them for mine on some days.

I'm a total newbie at the gym (just bought my membership yesterday). I can't afford a personal trainer so my best would be watching other people do their thing, and asking here. How should I approach weight training? What weight should I start at? And how long should I typically spend with the weights?

Do you have any healthy dessert ideas that you make often? I've decided to go a no processed sugar stretch but I have such a huge sweet tooth and can't seem to end my meals without something sweet. I'm okay to use agave/honey. Please drop suggestions for easy and quick homemade desserts!

Can you share a time when you overcame a fitness challenge? What helped you push through? I'm trying to break my endless cycle of committing and not committing to fitness being a part of my life, and it's always a challenge that throws me off. I guess I'm looking to be inspired by the amazing people on the bowl!..

Hahaha, this man is me. I'm so bad at staying hydrated throughout the day and then I do it all at once. Which is usually a strain on my bladder, and it just doesn't feel right, Do you all have any tips on how to get better at that? I'm sure the only way is to just remember to drink water, but any tips that have helped you be better at drinking water will help!

Peak cold hasn't even hit but the side effects have already hit :D. Every year, from about Nov to Feb, I find it so hard to be active. Come 7 PM, which is when I usually go for my post-dinner walk, I can't get myself to do anything. And in fact, I crave more food right after I'm done eating. Don't know if it's my body asking for more warmth. What are some tips you follow to help you stay fit during this part of the year?

I don't understand. I'm finally watching my diet and strength training for 20 minutes every day but my weight is still going up. Is there a chance you can put on weight from strength training because your muscles are getting developed? It's all so confusing!

What are some myths about women’s fitness that really shock you? Has there been a myth that changed your life once it got busted? :P

Ladies! What do you do when the period week hits? I always lose that week and the week after that, and then before I know it my period is back. I want to not lose track of my workout every time I have my cycles. How do you manage it?

Oh well, there that goes! I have limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and my family finally got me to open up to going to the gym rolling up in my electric wheelchair. LA fitness is obviously out of the picture now - what gym in the Los Angeles area would you recommend?

Has anyone here succeeded at doing a 24 or 36-hour fast? How do you get past one? I can't get past 2 PM without having excessive thoughts about food. Do you really feel as good as they say you will after you do it??

After my last primary care visit, I've been suggested to be on a low FODMAP diet for a month. Sadly most things that I enjoy - lentils, peaches. nectarines, bread, onions!!! (don't even know how to cook without it) and garlic- are not allowed on this diet. Has anyone here been on this diet? How was it for you? What were some of your staple meals?

I started running a month ago but it's causing all sorts of foot and leg pain. I wonder if it's the shoes I'm using (worn-out Nike shoes from the 90s). What are your best running shoe recommendations?

This is probably an exaggeration but I really am starting to feel like my hairline looks like this. What are you eating (supplements, whole foods) to maintain your hair health? I believe I should also see a trichologist about my problem but always like to start with natural remedies!