u/General-Dimension729

I am struggling so bad with NFP. I originally learned sympto thermal first, then after a baby switched to Marquette. It got too expensive for me so now I do LH strips with a wearable thermometer and wait until ovulation is confirmed with a sustained BBT rise before sex.

Since we’re seriously avoiding, because I’ve ovulated super early a couples of times, following the NFP rules combined with my terrible periods we can really only do anything after the bbt rise. I have two main struggles.

1. My libido is RAGING, like annoying raging almost my entire cycle. Even disrupting my normal daily tasks. It’s actually a problem lol. Then when it’s go time, it’s gone. Completely gone. And I get anxiety about pregnancy and even wait longer than we need to according to NFP rules.

2. Anxiety. I struggle with anxiety and ocd pretty bad. Literally every single month I get terrible terrible anxiety waiting for my period. This is really taking a toll on me and wearing me out. This month, my period is later than usual and I took a test, it’s negative But my anxiety is eating me alive. Why is it late? When will it come?

I don’t want to never have that kind of intimacy, so cutting it out isnt really an option I’m considering, but How do you deal with the libido struggles while avoiding? And idk how to just trust NFP. My Anxiety always kicks in and steals so much energy from me and nothing I try doing to stay calm works. I’m so miserable with this.

Hi! I have been lifting weights for the past 3ish months consistently. I started off very slow, and increased weight very slow to avoid getting overly sore. I just recently started a new program and am trying to push myself a little more and lift heavier. I am pretty weak so my heavy is like a 30lb squat/hip thrust lol. I haven’t been getting overly sore, except once I did over do my upper body, and I made sure to rest enough after to heal.

Anyways, I have been feeling a little pudgy, my pants are tighter mainly around waist and hips, scale is up and noticed my fat pad in my shin below the knee looks bigger. Not sure if it’s in my head, or if it’s actually bigger. I know it’s normal to retain water when starting a new program especially with weights, and then Eventually your body sorts everything out and the puffiness should go away.

I haven’t had an increase in leg tenderness or anything other than just feeling bigger. I was wondering if anyone that lifts weights, especially heavy, if you experienced this when first starting out and if it got better for you eventually, like a “normal” body would, or what has your experience been? I’ve seen some people say they lift heavy, and some do not.

I was hoping to hear experiences and/or what to expect. I am really really enjoying these workouts and hope to get some of my shape back and just have a stronger healthier body. But I don’t want to progress if I can help it.

So I have terrible posture, (forward head posture, rounded shoulders/upper back) my stomach always looks bloated, although I’m not sure if this is directly related to posture or a combination of things.

When I try to stand up straight I have to brace my core and keep tension to do so and my stomach, obviously, automatically looks a lot slimmer. I also feel like my entire abdomen area is tight. Like I have to work on stretching it or something. Same with my upper back, if I try to pull my shoulders a little back I have to actively hold tension there.

I’m aware I have a weak core and am trying to do deep core exercises to address that, as well as upper back strength.

But as far as just trying to be more mindful of not slouching throughout the day, do I continue doing this as much as I can remember and trying to hold it in place? I’m not overly bracing but definitely have to keep tension to stay more straight. Or will this cause over active muscles? Any input on what is going on or what to do is appreciated.