I have used progesterone in the past vaginally for IUIs and never had any problems. My body responded accurately to the progesterone capsules.
However, with prepping my body for a FET with the possible extension if the embryo attaches, I don’t know how I am going to do these shots for weeks or months. My husband is super queasy so I have been doing them in my thigh. I’m a pharmacist so I am used to giving IM injections. I don’t feel comfortable reaching my upper hip on my own and going in at the right angle. I’ve tried heating pads, warming the oil, light exercise after injection, but I still find my thighs sore.
Has anyone used progesterone capsules either orally or vaginally for a FET and had success? My clinic told me it doesn’t have as strong as absorption so you could never get the levels you needed with the capsules. But now I’m curious why you can use it for IUI but not FET.

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Hey, I hope everyone's doing well!
Today we return to the namesake of this fic, an actual lesson about animals. This one focuses on Koalas! One of Australia's most recognisable critters. I hope you enjoy.
It's hardly worth mentioning, seeing as I'm an infrequent poster at the best of times, but I'll not have another chapter out for a few weeks due to limited free time and devoting most of my writing time to an upcoming ficnapping. Be sure to look out for that!
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Memory transcription subject: Rysel, Venlil Environmental Researcher
Date [Standardised human time]: 8th September 2136
“Koalas!”
Bernard’s energised voice boomed through the air as the classroom's monitor flickered into life, images of this paws lecture topic popping up one after the other until the entire screen was filled with a collage of furry quadrupeds.
Squee! I’ll never get tired of this, it’s all so cool!
As usual the sight of something new stirred immediate discussion, hushed murmurs swelling into vibrant discourse in little more than a heartbeat. Most of the class swiftly huddled together into small herds to bounce ideas around while the rest opted to stick to the solace of their own thoughts as they took in the display.
I’d be quite happy in either situation, though seeing as Sandi had already sunk into deep concentration and Kailo had peeled off to talk with Ennerif and Solenk, it seemed the decision had been made for me on this occasion. Wasting no more time on idle inspection of the people around me, I focused my full attention forward, eager to form first impressions before the lesson began in earnest.
Now then, time to make some educated guesses. What traits does this animal have? I wonder if I’ll get any right this paw?
Professional assumptions went paw-in-paw with the lectures, examining and coming up with hypotheses about the specimens was only natural. Recently however, I’d started to make a little game of it to make things even more interesting than usual. A veritable bonfire of ideas had been set ablaze within me, fueled by my newfound knowledge of Earthen wildlife. Every flash and spark of the flame was a fresh theory I could try to apply to the lectures. It was an invigorating exercise that further stoked my unceasing wonderment.
So far I’d only done this once during the previous class and, to my disappointment, I’d not done too well.
I was right when I guessed that chickens were omnivores, but wrong in my assumption that they could fly. And that red thing on their head, the um… what was it called? The comb! Yes, the comb. I thought that was to attract mates, but it regulates body heat instead. It’s fascinating. Oh! Stars damn it I’m rambling!
I bapped my tail against my leg, the soft thud being just enough to snap me back from my runaway thoughts before I went completely wall-eyed. I was becoming more and more accustomed to getting lost in my own head while remaining conscious of the fact; it was happening so frequently now that it was pretty much impossible not to. Now I was able to pull myself back to the world around me without having to rely on someone else shaking me out of it. Most of the time anyway.
Sandi still keeps an eye on me, and Kailo even decided to help out once without being too snide about it. Anyway where was I? Oh yeah, Koalas.
Glancing at the furred animals, two things immediately stood out. Firstly, their eyes were in a more central position on their face. And second, all the images showed them being on or close to trees. There were other noteworthy observations of course, such as the Koala’s prominent nose and rounded features, but they fell to the wayside as I honed in on these points first.
Hmmm… ok. I already know to discount the idea that they’re predators just from eye position, so let’s get that thought out of here. Maybe omnivorous? Herbivore? Agh no, I can’t just guess that for the sake of guessing, that’s the same problem! Hrm, it’s tough making these assumptions now that everything I thought I knew has been turned on its head.
Nevermind, I’ll focus on the other thing. All the trees make me think they’re arboreal, that seems to be a reasonable assumption. I wonder what else they-
Clearing his throat, Bernard broke my concentration, his call for attention silencing the murmuring conversation and redirecting everyone's focus to the lecturer's podium.
His gaze panned across the room as he waited for everyone to settle, a beaming smile lighting up his face, “As ever I’m delighted to see you all get so into the subject matter from the get go. I’m looking forward to hearing what you were discussing should you wish to share. For now though, how about we get started, hm?”
A chorus of merry bleats rang out from across the audience, ears and tails flicking happily in agreement. Bernard's grin grew in tandem with the class's fervour, clasping his hands together enthusiastically as he launched into the lesson, “Excellent! Then let’s get started.”
The pictures on screen dissolved away until only one remained, enlarging to cover the entire monitor with the fluffy grey face of a Koala peacefully reclining in the crook of a tree.
“Ah, there we are,” Bernard’s baritone timbre drifted through the room as he looked up at the image, his own tone reflecting the relaxed attitude of the animal on screen, “He looks so comfortable doesn’t he? Perfectly at peace with the world, not too surprising considering they sleep almost 20 hours a day. A full paw!”
A wave of beeps and gasps rippled through the herd, punctuated by a single yawn-dressed comment from Rova, “A full paw? Hwuuu… jealous.”
Her drowsy remark elicited several whistling giggles from the herd, Bernard's own jovial chortle joining them as he turned to face her, “Late evening Rova?”
I twisted a little in my seat, panning an eye in Rova’s direction just in time to see her bleary eyes bulge open and her ears shoot up, now intensely aware of the fact she hadn’t been as quiet as she thought she had.
Sitting up abruptly, she hastily tapped down errant tufts of wool that’d flared in surprise as she composed herself, though her nervousness at becoming the centre of the class's attention was still plain for all to hear, “Uh- I um… achem, a little bit yes, um- …sorry. Lokki dragged me out to a movie viewing in the rec centre. It went on pretty late.”
A melodramatic bray from the other side of the room drew everyone's ears away from Rova to the now aghast Lokki, paw splayed across his chest in faux indignation, “Dragged you? Well excuse me for trying to broaden your horizons with human movies. That’ll be the list time I- …Ahaaaa…”
Lokki’s theatrics were cut short by a heavy yawn of his own, a swell of whistling laughter rolling through the herd as vibrant bloom lit up his snout, a sight that elicited a particularly amused bleat from Rova.
Turning away from the duo I looked back at Bernard, pleased to see that he was chuckling along with us. Behaviour like Lokki’s would never have been tolerated in my school and university days but, in stark contrast, Bernard revelled in it, the liveliness of his students fueling his own bombastic style of teaching. It was a pleasant change of pace having a teacher who let us all be ourselves in class; provided we weren’t too disruptive to the lesson plan.
Speaking of which.
His laughter still rumbling through the air, Bernard clapped his hands to pull everyone's focus back to him, “Ok, ok, let’s get back to it then shall we? Rova. Lokki. Hopefully the two of you can stay awake long enough until you can grab yourselves a coffee.”
As the class settled down and the last few giggling beeps petered out, Benard pointed a hand to the screen, “So, the Koala. Let’s start simple shall we? They are herbivorous marsupials native to the eastern and southern coasts of Australia. Easily recognised the world over, they are a well known and beloved symbol of their homeland, along with other animals such as the Kangaroo and the Emu. The former of which you might remember from one of our earlier lectures.”
Indeed I did remember, along with how angry Bernard had gotten after some speh-head had derided the Yotul after he explained how he held specific disdain for such attitudes.
Uuuggghh… I never want to see him angry again. So chilling.
I shook my ears in an effort to dismiss the unpleasant memory, panning my eyes back to the monitor to try and distract myself by inspecting the Koala’s physical appearance once more. Thankfully, by some Star's blessed intervention, Bernard had the exact same idea.
“Koala’s are rather squat in stature, ranging around sixty to eighty-five centimetres in length and weighing little more than fifteen to sixteen kilograms at their full size. As you can see, the fur of this fellow before you is a lovely silvery grey, but their fur can also sport a chocolaty brown hue as well. Arguably the most distinctive part of their appearance is their head, being rather large for their body size and having rounded ears, a large nose, and a pair of small eyes. These are often brown but variations do occur.”
It didn’t slip past my notice that Bernard didn’t bother to point out that the Koala’s eyes were forward facing. I didn’t think he’d simply forgotten, so perhaps he just felt it wasn’t necessary given that he’d already stated it was herbivorous. Either way, no one stuck up a paw or tail to question him.
“Now this will hardly be surprising considering how long they sleep, but Koala’s are largely sedentary and it’s rather easy to see why when you have a look into the contents of their diet.”
With the press of a button the Koala on screen was replaced by images of vibrant green vegetation. Soaring trees and flowering shrubbery weaved together across landscape framed pictures pulled admiring trills from the herd, the diversity of the plant life being shown standing as a reminder that it wasn’t only animal life that flourished on Earth.
After giving everyone the chance to take in the picturesque scenes, Bernard casually hammered that point home, “This is eucalyptus or, more accurately, a choice selection of more than 700 plants belonging to the eucalyptus genus, though the Koala itself favours 30 of them in particular.”
700!? Stars…
Realising that my ears had drooped in my momentary awe, I twisted them back to tune into the lesson, only for them to splay out in shock at the next words to come out of Bernard's mouth.
“The leaves of these plants are the primary food source of the Koala and there are a couple things worth mentioning when talking about these plants. For starters they do not have much nutritional or caloric value, leading to the Koala’s low-energy lifestyle. Additionally, they contain toxic compounds.”
A shiver instantly ran through the herd, ears flicking rapidly in confusion and alarm followed by a few quizzical whispers. It didn’t take long for someone to decide to give a proper voice to the murmuring.
“Excuse me Doctor. Did we hear that right? Their diet is made up of toxic flora?” Vlek’s grumbling incredulity cut through the herd's mutterings with ease. Until Kailo’s recent change of heart, the fifty something rotation old blonde Venlil had been a close second in terms of scepticism. Mercifully his rebuttals had always been relevant questions as opposed to ranting diatribes, so he at least remained on topic if nothing else.
Bernard nodded in confirmation, smiling back at Vlek while absentmindedly twirling the end of his moustache, “You heard me right, they do indeed consume plants that are toxic. Just not to them.”
Any worry or uncertainty still clinging to the herd was swept away by the provision of the glaringly obvious answer, leaving me chuckling inwardly at the oversight.
Ah of course! The plant might be poisonous but they’ll have evolved to deal with that. Stars… I’m so used to expecting the unexpected with Earth that I didn’t even consider the simplest solution.
“I see, thank you Doctor,” Vlek replied, a tinge of interest still audible in his tone, “I assume they’ve developed some adaptation to become immune to the harmful effects?”
The question immediately evoked a smirk from our teacher, but he hurriedly suppressed it while bobbing his head, “They have indeed. There are several factors that aid in their digestion of eucalyptus leaves without succumbing to the plant's baleful properties. The first is a part of the intestinal tract called the cecum. It contains a microbiome that allows the Koala to digest the eucalyptus. Coupled with this is an enzyme in the Koala’s liver that helps them break down the toxins. They are also capable of sniffing out the plants with the least amount of toxins, ensuring that they ingest as little as possible.”
Pausing for a breath Bernard looked back at the screen before turning to face us, another grin curling at the edges of his mouth as he continued with his explanation, “This is mostly for adult Koala’s, because while their young also possess these same adaptations, they don’t just go straight to munching through foliage right after being born. No, they need a little help making that jump and getting a stomach full of all that good gut bacteria. It’s nothing bad, but those of a sensitive stomach may wish to prepare themselves for this next part.”
Bernard’s assurances did little to assuage the concern that his warning had foisted upon us. Having been exposed to so much of the weirdness Earth had to offer everyone always ended up on edge whenever Bernard gave advice like this, even if he did say it in jest.
What strange nonsense thing do Koala pups do then? Judging by the way he’s acting it probably isn’t something as simple as drinking milk from the mother. Hmmm…
“So,” Bernard began, snapping us from our pensive stupor, “Young Koala’s, known as joeys, have a gestation period of thirty-five days on average, which is approximately forty-two paws. Once born they travel from the birth canal to a pouch in their mother so that they can continue to develop and grow. In the pouch the joey finds and latches onto one of two teats and these provide the newborn with a steady stream of nourishing milk. It spends the next six to seven months growing in the pouch, its eyes, ears, and fur all developing as time goes on.”
Okay, interesting. But this is exactly how I thought it’d go. What’s different?
The unexpected normalcy of the Koala’s birth and growth cycle had calmed everyone's nerves, only to be replaced with an air of suspicion as we waited with rapt attention for Bernard to drop the other claw and upend our expectations like he always did.
Not wanting to keep us in further suspense he forged ahead, the tempo of his voice picking up as the smile started to crease his face once more, “Now to make the switch from milk to eucalyptus, the mother also feeds the joey a substance called pap. It comes from the cecum I mentioned earlier, and contains all the gut bacteria required to help the young Koala in making the switch to eucalyptus.”
He stopped and looked around, searching us for a reaction to what I felt was a rather bland statement of fact. What was it he was saying without actually saying? Koala pups drink milk to mature and then include this pap substance so that they can start eating plants. I don’t see what-
The cecum is part of the intestine.
I blinked.
I blinked again, the intrusive interruption scouring my brain clean of any other thought bar the one it’d just implanted itself in the forefront of my mind.
Oh stars. They-
“They eat their own poop!?”
The shocked bleat shattered the peace of the room to reveal that most if not all of us had come to the same tail curling conclusion. As the hall filled with unrestrained vocalisations of disgust, an ‘Ugh’ over here and a ‘Blegh’ over there, Bernard’s own bellowing laughter joined the throng of voices.
“Ha! Everytime! Each and every time. Clearly it doesn’t matter if my students are Human or Venlil. Whenever someone learns about the Koala’s dietary development the reaction is the same!”
Pleased with himself beyond reason, Bernard chuckled away while the rest of us grappled with this ghastly reality. While there were plenty of animals that feasted on things that ranged from simply unappealing all the way to the stomach churningly grotesque, I’d never heard of an animal that actively consumed the excrement of its own species. Benefits aside, the prospect of having to do that to survive to adulthood sent a shiver of revulsion down my spine.
Ewww… Stars, I hope I forget this feeling by 2nd meal. They’re serving sturen and magamroot stew later. I was really looking forward to it.
With the herds mood beginning to temper Bernard tapped the podiums controls, removing the verdant collage of eucalyptus to display several similar yet distinct environments, still chortling merrily to himself in the process, “Ok then, with that little foray into their diet complete, why don’t we look at their habitat in more detail? As you might imagine given their diet and arboreal nature, Koala’s live in forested regions, and can be found in tropical and temperate zones. About a century ago they were classed as a vulnerable species, however efforts were made to turn this around and increase their numbers. Sadly the largest factor in their decline was human activity, as the fertile lands that gave rise to their bountiful forests were coveted farm land for our settlements.”
It was strange to hear Bernard so matter of factly admit to humanity's negative impacts on other species. He’d alluded to such things in the past but always with an air of caution, carefully pawing the line between honestly answering a question while not painting humanity as uncaring and destructive. AKA, the ‘predators’ we’d all initially expected them to be.
Perhaps his comfort in making such admissions was a reflection of the class's comfort with him, for no one so much as batted an ear. Even Kailo, who I would’ve expected to jump at the chance to use this as a prime example of predatory danger, only flicked an ear in stern yet silent concern.
A cough from Bernard drew my attention back, a new picture on screen that showed a forest from a bird's-eye view. Drawn across the image were around a dozen ringed areas, some bordering one another while others overlapped to some degree. It took me a moment, but I soon recognised that what I was looking at was a map, the rings representing what I assumed to be territories. And it didn’t take much effort to guess who each one belonged to.
“From habitats we move onto behaviours, so let’s start with territories. Koala’s are solitary animals. Yes, despite being herbivores. Considering they’re only awake for roughly four hours of the day I can hardly blame them. Lots to do and not a lot of time to do it. Jokes aside, once they mature they are quite independent, carving out a little slice of land for themselves, as displayed in this example, called a Home Range. That is not to say they go it alone and leave everything else behind however. Rather, as shown in the map behind me, they live in their own space while still being part of a larger social group.”
With another press of his pad the picture was updated to show one of two symbols in each segment, along with a key to the side of the map displayed in helpful Venlang. A quick glance told me that the symbols were representing whether the territory belonged to a male or female of the species.
“As you can see there is quite a bit of overlap between different Koala’s territories. It is in these areas that most of the socialising takes place between neighbours. The trees in these locations represent the few areas where intrusion across territories is acceptable for the sake of social interaction. Outside of that the Koala’s stick to their own territories for the most part, with the exceptions of Koala’s who are passing through, attempting to become part of the social group themselves, or dominant males who sometimes go off into another Koala’s range. But how do they know where one range begins and another range ends you might ask? Well, this brings us onto the next part of the lecture. How do Koala’s communicate?”
Wiping away the map from the monitor, Bernard loaded up a video of a Koala sitting in a tree and pressed play. Head held high, the Koala’s body shook as it belted out a reverberating call into the wilderness that could only be described as a garbled combination of a car engine failing to turn over mixed with the hiccups of someone with a particularly sore throat.
That’s how they sound? Oof that must be rough on the lungs.
I clearly wasn’t the only one to share such a thought, because I clocked Sandi tracing a paw along her neck as the noise went on, ears fluttering in discomfort at the noise.
Bernard himself cleared his own throat as the video came to an end, minimising it and replacing it with another image of a tree with a Koala rubbing up against the bark, “I think they’ve got me beat on who’s got the deeper voice!”
His joke garnered several amused beeps, a rare reaction that caused a beaming smile to shine across his face at lighting speed, “Oh you’re too kind. I’ll be here all week. Now where were we? Oh yes! Communication. As you’ve just heard, Koala’s are capable of loud low pitched bellows that can carry over vast distances. These express everything from ‘Hello I’m over here’ to ‘This is my turf, stay away’. Bellowing is more common in the males than the females, opting for shouting matches as opposed to outright fights when it comes to asserting dominance. Other vocal expressions include grunts, wails, and snarls if they’re acting particularly angsty. Mother and joey pairs also communicate through gentle clicking, squeaking, and murmuring sounds. And there’s one more thing worth mentioning. Something they have in common with Humans and Venlil when it comes to emoting.”
Really? They do something we do?
Curious, I pressed myself against the desk, straining as close as I could to once more scrutinise the Koala’s features. Not a lot stood out to me at first, the grey marsupial not sharing many similarities with a Venlil that I could identify.
Ok think. We show emotion with our ears, tails, and our wool on occasion. They don’t have tails so it’s obviously not that. Wool standing on end is more a reaction than a conscious expression. So it must be the ears then.
To my quiet satisfaction, my hunch was soon validated by Bernard, “As well as their vocalisations, Koala’s are very emotive through their facial features. Just like humans, they use their mouths and lips to show how they feel, but these tend more towards the aggressive side of the scale than what you might see on a human. Regarding yourselves however, Koala’s utilise their ears in tandem with their mouth movements when showing strong emotion.”
I was delighted to hear that my assumption was correct, a little happy flick twisting out through my tail and bapping against my chair with a muted thump against the plastic.
Hehe yes! Got one right!
“Now then, we are getting close to lunchtime so I’ll finish this segment off with something I think you’ll find particularly interesting. Diplomacy.”
Perplexed mutterings followed in the wake of the bizarre inclusion to the lecture, my own thoughts being dominated by bewilderment as I tried and failed to make sense of how the two could possibly be related.
Why would Koala’s, or any animal for that matter, be linked to diplomacy? Hmmm...
I could understand dispatching exterminators to deal with a predator issue as a show of goodwill, that at least includes animals, but Humans aren’t like that so I think I can safely scratch that off the list.
Maybe the humans who live in that region benefited from Koala’s in some way. Could they have gotten something from them? But what?
Hopefully not what the pups get from their mothers.
Agh no! Begone awful intrusive thoughts. Blegh! I don’t need that in my head.
As I wrestled with the short-lived revulsion inflicted upon me by my Star's damned subconscious, Bernard placed a new image on screen, one that was decidedly different from all that had preceded it.
On screen were more than a couple dozen pictures of humans. Some were pictured alone while others congregated in large groups while cameras surrounded them from all angles. Across all the images, I noted two common themes. First of all, a solid majority of the humans were wearing formal wear similar to what I’d seen worn by UN representatives on TV. If the gaggle of journalists in the background of the photos didn’t already confirm my suspicions, then it was this similarity which made me conclude they were all people of some importance. Likely politicians judging from context clues.
Secondly, each of the individuals was interacting with a Koala in some form. Some cradled one against their chests while others were feeding it eucalyptus leaves or pellets of some kind. One of the assumed politicians had become an impromptu bed for a snoozing bundle of fur, a gleeful smile spread across their face as they lovingly gazed down at the sleeping Koala in their lap.
As I continued to stare at the assorted photos something clicked into place, a sudden spark flickering into life. A burgeoning light of comprehension that flared and swelled with every wide-eyed breath I took. Some things still escaped me, things I hoped would soon be explained, but in staring at all of the humans happy smiling faces, I was struck with an instant of pure understanding.
If someone, say a Nevok for instance, offered to gift me a creature that was common to them but which might exotic and breathtaking to a Venlil, how could my feelings not be swayed? How could I walk away from that encounter and not have grown closer to them as a result?
“Koala diplomacy,” Bernard waved his hand up at the monitor, a slight reverence in his tone, “My favourite kind of soft power diplomacy. Where political leaders take photo ops with Koala’s and, on occasion, the Australian government loans Koala’s to other nations for a time to bolster positive relations. It certainly helps that Koala’s are a beloved animal worldwide, drawing large crowds and revenue for countries fortunate enough to host the adorable critters.”
The truly alien concept predictably sparked instant discussion in the herd, two polar opposite schools of thought swiftly cementing themselves as the most popular opinions. Simultaneously, I heard one voice trill excitedly while another scoffed at what they clearly saw as a ridiculous and offensive notion.
“Squee! That’d be so cool! I’d love to get the chance to see a Liri from Coila. Remember the Rainbow Boa? Think of that shimmering effect and colour but put it on a bird! Ah! I’ve only heard their song on video. It’d be a treat to hear it in person!”
Ooo! I’ve read about them! I’d love to get up close to one.
“Loaning. As if animals are property to be hoarded and traded? Pugh! Another predatory trait the humans don’t want to acknowledge for what it is.”
Ugh, typical. Jump right to the worst possible option.
However, despite my dismissal of their disparaging fumings, an uncomfortable thought pressed upon my mind. While it was plain to see how much humans cared for the Koala, it didn’t change the fact that humans did keep animals as property just as the scornful herd member had said.
This begged a rather important, disquieting question. Aside from keeping some animals as cattle, a stomach tightening minefield I had no desire to step a claw onto right now, how else did humans keep other creatures. And how did they treat them?
Before I was fully conscious of doing it my paw was in the air, the question primed on my tongue.
Noticing my elevated paw Bernard pointed at me, smiling warmly, “Yes Rysel? What’s on your mind?”
Sorry Bernard. I hope this one’s not too awkward for you to answer.
Flicking my ear in appreciation, and waiting for everyone to settle enough so that I could be heard, I voiced my concerns as neutrally as possible, “Thank you Doctor. I uh, just had a thought. We know that humans keep certain animals for… particular reasons, and we know why. From how you’ve spoken about Koala’s I think it's fair to say that the same cannot be said for them. However, this makes me wonder, what other reasons do humans have for keeping animals and how do you treat them?”
A flash of surprise blinked across Bernard's eyes but vanished so quickly that it felt like I’d imagined it. Had he not expected such a question? Maybe he was just shocked that it’d been me who’d ended up asking it?
Stars, am I so predictable that no one expects me to ask difficult questions?
Unfortunately, a quick glance at my deskmates seemed to prove that to be the case, as both Sandi and Kailo were looking at me with differing degrees of astonishment flapping in their ears.
Well speh.
“A very good point Rysel, certainly one that’s worth raising. Yet another example of you all anticipating what I have to say before I can bring it up myself.” Bernard tapped the podium, switching off the monitor before returning his focus to me, “We won’t be needing that. I’ve nothing prepared that I can show you and we’re heading to lunch in a few minutes anyway. Still, that’s plenty of time to give you a bit of an answer.”
A bit? What does he mean just a bit?
Made even more curious by Bernard's preempted admission that he wasn’t going to fully answer my query, I dialled both my ears on him, fixing him with an inquisitive stare as he started to explain with a tone that was noticeably more nonchalant than any of his previous explanations.
“So, animals in captivity for reasons other than what you already know. Honestly I would love to delve into other reasons regarding why we keep animals. However, I have a lesson plan in the works that I hope to share with you all in the not too distant future. Some of it touches upon this very topic and I’d quite like to bundle it all together. That said, I can tell you how animals in captivity are treated. In short, the answer is very well. There are a mountain of laws both on private and public interests that govern the standards and ethical treatment of animals, and breaches of these laws are quite severe even for relatively minor infractions.”
While I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed by the vague answer to what was really the bulk of my question, I was at least satisfied by Bernard’s assurances that animals in captivity, such as the Koala, were well looked after. Considering the barely subdued grumbling coming from some corners of the audience it was clear that several of the herd didn’t believe Bernard outright, but I trusted him to be honest. Additionally, the mention of an upcoming lecture focused on humans keeping animals caused quite the buzz.
I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation at exploring the topic further. He’d pretty much confirmed we wouldn’t be talking about cattle farms, for which I was relieved, but that still left a huge amount of uncertainty in what was to come.
Humans keeping animals as cattle was a forgone conclusion. As horrifying as that reality was, it was one I could understand from a detached and strictly clinical point of view. Being predators they ate meat and therefore they kept cattle. But the concept of keeping animals for any other reason baffled me.
What could be the purpose? The diplomacy thing makes sense now that I have context, but what other reasons could they have.
The class's discussions were interrupted by the recognisable ring of the break bell, the shift in attention eliciting a change in conversation from confused hypotheses to peppy conversation on how everyone was planning to spend their break and what they had in mind for 2nd meal.
“Well I can see everyone’s excited for lunch, and who am I to disappoint,” chuckling Bernard waved us all up from our seats, pocketing his pad from the podium and heading to open the classroom door for us, “Enjoy your break, get a good rest along with a hearty meal, and I’ll see you all back here at the usual time.”
As everyone else filed out I stayed behind, waving at Sandi and Kailo as they left, and pawing over to Bernard once he and I were the only ones left in the room.
Ears folded down and with an apologetic tinge in my voice I greeted him as I sidled up to him, “Hey Bernard, I uh… sorry if that last question was unexpected.”
Chortling in reply, Bernard waved a hand through the air in a sign I’d come to understand meant ‘not a problem’.
“No need to apologise Rysel. It was a good question and most certainly not a problem.”
Heh, called it.
I sighed, allowing tension I didn’t realise I’d been holding to relax itself from my shoulders, “Phew, that’s a relief. I’m glad. I’m curious to hear what this new lesson is you’ve got in store for us by the way.”
Bernard wagged a finger at me, throwing up his eyebrows in mock amazement, “Oh are you now? Well I’m afraid you’ll have to remain curious for the time being. It’s going to be quite the surprise if all goes to plan. But…”
He trailed off, glancing at me before looking to the door like he was making sure no one else was around.
Wait, is he going to tell me? Oh please yes let me know now!
Stopping myself from jumping on the spot in excited anticipation, and trying my damndest to stop my tail from wagging in equal measure, I stared up at Bernard as he stewed in his thoughts before turning back to face me.
“I can’t tell you the specifics, but I’m working with Alejandro and Tolim to get something together. A trip that’s not a trip as it were. And when it happens, I’m going to need a few of the more accepting members of the class to lend me a hand. I’m hoping you and a couple others will be able to help with that?”
A trip that’s not a trip? What does that mean? Agh who cares about that right now! Bernard’s relying on me to help out!
Still trying not to keep myself from bouncing around with pup like glee I swished my tail and nodded my head in joint agreement, happy to help with whatever Bernard had in store for us, “Of course! Anything you need I’ll be there to lend a paw. You can count on me!”
A broad warm smile lit up Bernard's face, a hand patting me on the shoulder in appreciation, “Thank you Rysel. I knew I could rely on you but it still warms my heart to hear it. And, as thanks for this and for the many times you’ve shown your support, the surprise includes a little something special I think you’d appreciate the most.”
If my earlier enthusiasm had been at a nine, then the implication of a supposed gift sent it rocketing all the way to a hundred in a heartbeat.
“Wait… WHAT!? What do you mean? What are you doing?”
As impossible as it seemed, Bernard's grin grew even wider as I almost lost myself in wool shaking exhilaration, “Call it my own form of Koala diplomacy. But I’m afraid that’s all I can say for now. Wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise even for you!”
“Oh you ass!” Whistling jovially I bapped my tail against Bernard’s leg in fake indignation, evoking a barking bellowing laugh from the man himself.
Still laughing, the two of us departed the class and made for the canteen, my rumbling stomach leading me on while my mind spun with fantastical thoughts as to what Bernard had prepared for us.
And what specifically he had in store for me.

Hi all! First off, so glad this sub reddit exists because it was a life saver when I was making decisions on my own ACLr and knowing what to expect from surgery. I'm a 2x cancer surviver, Paramedic, Rugby player, and now have been a caregiver to my partner who just celebrated 3 months from her own ACLr. I collected a bunch of advice and tips and tricks that I have used both during cancer treatment, my own experience with ACLr, and now through care taking my partner through hers. I know there have been guides before, but mine is a bit different and aimed at caregivers so I thought I'd post it here since ya'll helped me so much instead of it just circulating the rugby community every time a teammate or friend has to have ACLr or some other reconstruction. Hope it's allowed and helps!
A Cancer Patients Guide To Knee Reconstruction Recovery
A Comprehensive Guide To Surviving and Thriving In the Pre and Post-op Period Built From The Perspective of Caretaker and Patient.
Before The Date
__/__/____

Preparation

It is important to adequately prepare for surgery in the weeks and days leading up to the procedure. A significant period of immobility and reliance on support can be expected immediately post-op and will vary by procedure and personal experience. Physical modification of living space and thorough preparation allows for the immediate post-op period to be free of emergency store runs and the small inconveniences that can add up to big frustration. Not having food and drink nearby as well as other essentials may be a small deal now, but can turn into a big deal when you can no longer get those things for yourself. While physical preparation (home modifications, adaptive tools, meal prepping, etc.) are important, mental preparation is crucial to the long term success of the repair. Making small, achievable goals in the immediate post-op period and maintaining a long sighted view of recovery will make the pain and immobility that is initially experienced more bearable. Additionally, social support through a partner, family members, or friends is an essential part of recovery, as is maintaining contact with sports teams or other social groups during rehabilitation.

General PEARLs

• Pre-surgical rehab is an essential part of recovery and can improve immediate outcome so if it is a resource available to you- use it!
• Learn the basics of your procedure such as reconstruction technique, graft type, surgeons recovery timeline, where you will do your rehab, and what you should expect going into and coming out of surgery. Knowledge is power and can give a sense of control and set reasonable expectations in a situation that is otherwise out of your control.
• Seek out positive experiences and recovery stories from other people who have had your procedure and gather as much advice as possible from resources such as ACL. Know that some people will have negative experiences, everyone is an individual, and that much of your long term recovery is in your control.
• Expect and learn to advocate for yourself or the person you are taking care of. Be vocal and honest with any needs you may have and understand that issues may come up in the immediate post-operative time that you as a patient or caregiver may have to contact your surgeon to resolve. Familiarize yourself with who to call and when *before* you leave after surgery, as well as being quick to call with any questions or problems that arise. It is better to be told that what you are experiencing is normal than to sit with the anxiety of the unknown.
• Create a folder with all relevant information: Surgeons name, procedure information, follow-up appointment dates and times, phone numbers, emergency contacts, facility of choice in an emergency situation, and any other important information. Maintain this folder throughout your recovery and add paperwork as it comes.

Days Leading Up To Surgery

• Contact support people and confirm any arrangements that have been made including but not limited to: Who is taking you to/from surgery, child or pet care, transportation to first PT appointments, meals, etc.
• Recommended Items we found essential:
  • Ice Machine (Polarcube, etc) if at all possible
    • Recommend checking facebook marketplace or other second hand options, as they cost hundreds new but can be found for $40 or so used.
    • Studies have shown these do actually reduce pain and lend to earlier mobilisation and our experience has shown this to be essential not just immediately post-op but in the weeks and months afterwards so if you *can* obtain one you absolutely should.
  • Large sweatshirt and oversized shorts for surgery day, especially if you wear a bra, as putting clothes on after surgery can be a struggle and it’s easiest to just throw on a sweatshirt and shorts that fit over your post-op bandages and brace.
    • In particular, we found a blanket hoodie to be very useful both for going home and the first few days as it could stay on when moving around/when napping.
  • Neck Pillow
    • Helps with reading or other activities during long hours spent in bed or on the couch and really helped in the first two days to prevent neck strain and provide head positioning during napping.
  • Large pillows for body positioning and elevation of the leg
    • We found cheap, giant, dog beds from places like TJ Max or Marshalls to be more affordable than specialty products
    • A large, thin, dog bed (or blanket) rolled into a tube and secured with stretch bandage or tape around the surgical leg and brace helped significantly with comfort during sleep so that the leg was padded, comfortable, and the other leg didn’t get roughed up from the brace.
  • A shower chair
    • Can be found used at second hand stores like Goodwill, or cheap online
    • Easy substitute is a chair covered in a trash bag
    • Allowed showering the second day post-op which was a huge mental boost and relieved physical discomfort and achy muscles
  • Extra large leg cast cover
    • Can be found cheap online
    • Placed around outside of brace covering the entire leg initially, we then found it easier to place on the leg and place the brace outside of the cover for the remaining healing period for the incisions: We did this after the first PT appointment when it was safe to take off the brace for short periods while laying down. We acquired a second post op brace from a friend (you can find on eBay for cheap) and it was amazing to have, as we could let it dry after showering and immediately put her post op brace back on.
  • Foldable stool
    • Great for elevating the leg during transfers, while on the toilet, etc.
  • Lap Desk
    • Great for eating on the couch or in bed, but we also found it useful as a side table for holding drinks/meds/remotes/books that could be taken to whatever room they landed in at the time
    • A small table works as well, really just anything that can be used to set things on within arms reach
  • Assortment of sodas, water, seltzers, snacks, etc.
    • There is no way to know what you will want and when, but when you want it it’s nice to *have* it available
    • Appetite often decreases after surgery so make sure to have favourites on hand so that when you *are* hungry you have it immediately before your body changes its mind
  • A big bucket
    • We used a soft plastic beach type bucket from the dollar store, it was extremely useful to have to put small items in, a small towel, a spare water bottle, extra meds, baby wipes, etc.
    • Also doubled as an emergency puke bucket, as you never know when a sudden bout of nausea might hit in the first day or two after surgery
  • Extra reusable ice packs and bags of ice
    • Your home ice maker will not be able to keep up with the demands of constant icing the first week or so
    • Reusable ones are great for ‘hot spots’ and short trips where you can’t take the ice machine
  • Extra steri-strips and assortment of bandages
    • Sometimes there’s extra leakage, sometimes your steri-strips come off and you need to slap a new one on, sometimes you’re allergic to the ones they put on you at the hospital. Always consult a medical professional, but it’s handy to have these on hand just in case.
    • We also used a bulky padded bandaid to keep the brace off the healing incisions once the large post-op dressing was taken off which helped immensely.
  • Compression sleeves
    • Aside from helping with swelling these also provided a layer of protection under the post-op brace
    • We found cheap ones at Wal-Mart (copper brand) but also just bought a cheap pair of leggings a size down and cut off one of the legs to use before getting a more expensive one once swelling had fully subsided after a few weeks. Your leg will change so cheap works great at first, then you can get something a bit more substantial when you know what you’ll need long term. Now she wears high compression socks to sleep 3 months out.
  • Slide on shoes
    • Self explanatory, bending down to put on shoes becomes a chore after surgery. Avoid flip flops or other styles that can become a trip hazard.
  • Baby Wipes/Dude Wipes/etc.
    • Wiping down after you get home from surgery can help prevent that icky feeling and restore some sense of normalcy, then can be used over the next few days before you can shower more normally
  • Lotion and chapstick
    • Hospitals dry out your skin big time, and lips are often cracked post surgery from intubation/LMA placement
  • Small, easily labelled tupperware containers
    • Regular pill containers are too small to hold pain meds, OTC pain meds, anticoagulants such as aspirin, supplements, and edibles or other small things you take with your medication. We got small tupperware boxes with lids from the dollar store.
    • We found it very convenient to have six sets of meds set up and labelled with times which meant we never missed doses and could leave the next dose of meds at bedside, take them with us when going to appointments, and keep up with what had been given and when.
  • Small notebook to record med times and other important information
  • Two extra changes of clothes already setup and ready to go
  • Compression device
    • We are athletes so we already had leg compression sleeves but these days off brand versions can be bought online cheap. Studies have shown these lead to reduced pain, increased mobilisation, reduced the chance of blood clots, and there is even some evidence they help with bone healing.
    • We used it 3 days post op and beyond and her range of motion was significantly improved after the first time.
  • A yoga strap
    • Excellent for strapping to the brace and moving the surgical leg
• If possible, pick up post-op medications prior to surgery to prevent any unexpected delay in obtaining them. If this is not possible, verify that the prescription can be filled the day of the surgery by your selected pharmacy and that it has been filled prior to leaving after your surgery. Controlled substances cannot be transferred to another pharmacy without a new prescription sent directly from the provider. You do not want to be trying to get in contact with a physician in the hours after surgery, unable to manage pain, before the pharmacies close for the night.
• Do a thorough clean of your living area, it will make the time after surgery when you cannot independently do normal activities more bearable and a neat organised space is easier to function in when your body is not cooperating. Take special attention to removing tripping hazards and clearing a wide path from wherever you plan to spend your recovery and the bathroom.
• Plan to spend the first couple of days in one spot and on one floor and set up that area the day before surgery. If you have a downstairs bathroom a floor mattress or well setup couch can be your landing pad until you are more mobile and is the easiest during the immediate post-op period. That being said, if you don’t, it’s easier to get upstairs by sliding up on your bum immediately post-op when your pain is still well controlled than realise that you have no bathroom downstairs a few hours later when the pain has started to set in. Wherever you intend to land, plan on staying there at least a couple of days and bring all your supplies to that area. Plan to lay with your surgical leg on the outside of what you are laying on, this makes transferring easier.
• Have your recovery bed setup the day before surgery and prepared for when you return before you leave the day of, including blankets and your supply table setup.
• Meal prep, whether that means cooking or getting easy to make microwave meals is up to you. You won’t feel like cooking and neither will your caretaker the first few days. High protein, easy to eat meals are key! We had chicken and broccoli casserole, egg and sausage frittata, and lots of applesauce the first few days and it was a lifesaver not to have to think about meals.
• Spend some time mentally preparing for the long haul of recovery and make long term plans that fit within your timeline. For example, we planned to attend a rugby game five days after surgery *but* planned nothing else for that day and the next day. We also planned hiking trips the next fall, and other events appropriate for her timeline along the way that could be looked forward to and keep up morale. Remember that this is temporary and that it is okay to be recovering and resting, expect hard moments and days but keep things planned so you don’t get stuck in those down places.
• Eat your favourite meal and eat well the day before surgery. Your body needs fuel to recover and fasting the day of surgery sucks. As weird as it sounds, after multiple surgeries, the pre-surgery night meal of whatever I want is one shiny thing in a crappy situation to hold on to.
• Plan for what you want your first meal to be and consider making a playlist for the ride to and from surgery. Small things, again, help maintain a sense of control and comfort in a situation where you are largely out of control and these things can be done with friends or support people in the days leading up to reduce anxiety and pass time.
• Hit the gym, take a walk, do a hike, visit places or do things you enjoy but won’t be able to do in immediate recovery! We took my partners knee to one last tournament before her surgery, it helped pass time and kept spirits high.

Day Of And Immediate Post-Surgery Phase

• Maintain fasting starting at whatever hour you are told. Some people can drink clear liquids up to a certain point, others are completely nothing by mouth. Your instructions will guide you on this.
• Before leaving home double check that everything is set up how you need it and place a blanket, pillow, drink, and snack of choice in the car. You may or may not need it but if you do it is important to have. Make sure your ice packs are in the freezer ready to go!
• Bring your own post-op snack if you are picky or have food allergies, otherwise you’re stuck with whatever graham cracker and applesauce combo the facility gives you.
• Go with the flow, or as I always say “surrender”. Feel what you feel, have a cry in the car before you go in, listen to your playlist, bring your blanket or other comfort items into pre-op, tell your support person what’s going through your mind, tell your pre-op staff how you’re doing, ask all the questions, and most importantly just do what you have to do. For some people surgery can be overwhelming and the loss of control frightening, but fighting only makes it worse, so whatever you are just be it. I’m pre-op pacer myself, but some people just snuggle up under some warm blankets and wait. Either way, just let the waves take you where they go and know you’re along for the ride. Remember that future you with a healthy joint thanks you for what you’re doing today.
• Speak frankly with your anesthesiologist and utilise any pain control or anxiety control options given to you. There is no award for least meds taken or toughest patient of the day. If a nerve block is available, know that you can request sedation for its placement, and utilise that option if at all possible.
• Caregivers should bring something to keep them entertained and be prepared for a long period without update once surgery has started. Honour your feelings as well, it can be tough to watch someone you care about go through this! Consider having someone to act as a support person for you as well through text or phone, that way you can divert your own worries or struggles to them and away from the person having surgery while still making sure you are also taken care of.
• Make sure that pain is well controlled before leaving after surgery. You have more options there than you will at home and getting things under control once pain has become unbearable can be very difficult.
• Make sure you note when the next dose of medication is due, what medication they should be taking, and write it down.
• Double check contacts from your surgeons office and add any post op paperwork to your folder in case you need the information later.
• If your post-op meal requires picking up, or your prescription, try and do that immediately after leaving surgery even if you are not hungry yet. This is the most comfortable you will be for a while and your support person will be unable to leave for at least that day and night. I have been known to peruse the big gas station after surgery in search of snacks, my partner however simply waved to the nice people at the drive through and napped the rest of the way home before eating some hours later.
• Once you get home crash wherever you plan on spending the rest of the time. Don’t have friends or family over that first day. Just go ahead and sleep through the rest of the anaesthesia and get comfortable.
• Try and keep your home cool, and consider keeping the room dim for the first few hours if not days. Sleep is precious and pain meds can make you hot, and getting hot can lead to nausea. It is better to have the home cool and the person snuggled under blankets and comfortable than be trying to cool someone down who just had surgery and got too hot and is now dizzy, nauseous, and miserable. The least stimulation for the first little while the better, and naps will happen throughout the rest of the day and over the next few days. A cool, dim place lets this happen much easier than a bright, warm place where they might be overstimulated or awakened by noise or activity.
• If allowed, try and activate the quad muscle immediately after returning home and once every few hours by having them squeeze it and feeling for contraction while in the brace. Some people will be able to begin range of motion exercises immediately and if so, make sure to do them as soon as allowed even if that means just helping them by doing gentle manual range of motion movements in the brace.
• If it’s not already on, begin continuous icing as soon as you come out of surgery either by meticulously timing the replacement of ice packs or with the ice machine. Make sure to check the ice machine, replace ice as often as needed, and keep it on *continuously* for the next few days. For us this meant I checked it at every medication dose throughout the night and added ice during that time as well. We went through frozen mini water bottles and bags of ice like crazy the first week.
• Elevate the surgical leg as high as possible, placing support under the heel and calf but not directly under the knee to promote extension and prevent more headaches with gaining range of motion later on.
  • We found that icepacks directly under the knee helped tremendously with the discomfort associated with this.
• Anticipate that bathroom trips will not be fun or easy and take them extremely slow. As a caregiver allow the person to guide you on what they need and don’t need your help with and avoid grabbing or moving someone unexpectedly. Standing, acclimating to being upright, and then proceeding to the bathroom is the best way to do things and rushing will only result in frustration for both of you. A rolling chair or wheelchair can be helpful, but for some people standing up and sitting down is harder than just moving on to the bathroom. Pay attention as a caregiver and know that it is possible they may need your help getting off the toilet or back from the bathroom so be close by and available should that happen. For the first few days do not lock the bathroom door in case of an emergency.
• Place chairs or things to sit on around your path to the bathroom, kitchen, etc. And consider a small backpack or using a rolling chair to carry items around the house.
• Once you know when your next dose is, set alarms for each time your doses are due. If using the med boxes this makes doing meds and keeping track very easy, as they are each labelled with a time and all we had to do was open the box and take the meds instead of finding each bottle and dosing each med individually each time. As the days went on we were able to re-label and time the boxes as needed and remove meds as needed or adapt to what was needed when sleeping or up during the day.
  • For example day 1 would look like:
    • First post-op doses at 4pm box: 250mg tylenol, 10mg oxycodone, 5mg edible.
    • 8pm box: 250mg tylenol, 10mg oxycodone, 800mg ibuprofen, 10mg edible, 12.5mg diphenhydramine (itching and sleep), stool softener, and regular night time meds.
    • Midnight box: 250mg tylenol, 5mg oxycodone, 5mg edible.
    • 4AM: 250mg tylenol, 5mg oxycodone, 800mg ibuprofen, edible (if nauseas or restless).
    • 8AM box (preparing to get up): 250mg tylenol, 10mg oxycodone, 5mg edible, aspirin, stool softener, normal morning meds.
    • 12pm: 250mg tylenol, 10mg oxycodone, 5mg edible, 800mg ibuprofen.
    • Repeated on time, reducing pain med dose as tolerable, and refilling boxes 1x a day.
• If possible do scheduled tylenol (paracetamol) and ibuprofen (or another NSAID), alternating them on the dosing schedule, and take them religiously even through the night. This also goes for additional pain medications, which you will also need to wake to take through the night if you are prescribed for at least the first night.
• Staying on schedule might mean waking up in the night, but it’s better to be awoken to take meds than to wake up in pain and spend several hours trying to get it under control. You may find you seldom need them if your nerve block is in place, or you may just not need very much at all during your recovery. It is easier to trial run this after the first day by stretching out the time between doses from 4 to 6 to 8 and then potentially off entirely, but everyone will have their preferences.
• Eat a small snack with every med dose and keep emergency meds (extra pain med doses, nausea meds, etc.) at bedside as well as the next set of meds due so they can be taken when it is time.
• We found that edibles were a great addition to pain and nausea control after surgery. There are medication options available and having at least one option for nausea is advisable for the first few days after surgery when anaesthesia and medication can really make you want to puke.
• Expect absolutely nothing in the first few days post-op. Some people will feel well enough to move around, others will not be able to do anything but get up to use the bathroom. Expecting nothing is better than expecting more and being disappointed or frustrated. I would highly suggest not making plans until your first follow up 7 or so days after surgery.
• Be obsessive about icing, meds, any PT you have been given, and keeping track of appointments. Give yourself the best start to your recovery that you can and you will thank yourself later!

If my typical gym session is a warmup, then mobility drills, followed by half an hour or so of resistance training, topped off with half an hour of cardio, when would be the best time to stretch down? At the very end, after the cardio, or after the resistance training?
For context, over the past year or so, and for the first time really in my life, I (35M) have been looking after myself (hitting the gym, eating well, all that good stuff). I’m really enjoying it, and am starting to take things more seriously in the gym, but with that I’m getting quite a bit of lingering soreness in certain muscle groups.
I tend to stretch down after cardio, at the end of my entire workout, but as that can be well over half an hour after training some muscle groups, I’m wondering if that might be too late. Should I instead be stretching straight after resistance training, and before the cardio?
Or is when I do it moot so long as I do it, given that I’m keeping the blood pumping and my body “warm” during cardio? Is stretching even likely to make that much of a difference to the soreness I’m feeling?
Apologies for my ignorance, or if the answer to this is obvious; like I said I’m fairly new to all this. I tried googling it but all the results said “after exercise”, which doesn’t quite answer my question.

I have these flyaways/baby hairs on the sides of my forehead. They’ve always been there, but I wish I could figure out how to grow them longer. The density of these hairs is thick, but they are very fine and light, so when the sun is shining, photos look like I have the world’s deepest widow’s peak and a receding hair line. They also fluff out and kind of make me look like a deranged bird because they’re so fine, but long enough to be obvious.
I just don’t understand what they are or why they won’t grow out.
Relevant information: I wash my hair every day because I exercise/sweat every day in a very warm climate. I haven’t used heat on my hair in years. I wear a ponytail most days, but never to sleep and aside from during exercise, I use a satin hair tie. These hairs “break off” well before where they would be touched by any hair tie

Dating at times feel like a job hunt doesn't it. So I thought it'd be fun to write it in a mock format just like a resume!
Summary
Attractive Dutch Indian (a solid 6.5/10) with exceptional ability to create awkward situations out of anything. Possesses impeccable written and verbal communication skills. Energetic for 2 hours a day usually between the hours of 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Experiences
Girl A: ~3 month in High School

• Hugged me and said I was cute
• Assisted her with math homework
• What I learned: I'm not gay

Girl B: ~1 year in University

• Chemistry lab partner...we sure had a lot of chemistry (Actually physics lab partner that then I can't make the joke)
• Disproved me gaming
• What I learned: I probably can't give up gaming

Girl C: ~ 2 weeks meet via Pure App

• Only slightly disappointed her eyes isn't purple irl
• What I learned: BDSM is fun and I love being a dom!

Girl D: ~6 month reddit

• Skype is actually the worst software ever
• What I learned: r4r actually worked!?

Education
University Undergrad: Engineering 2010-2014

• I found out I'm not nerdy enough to play CS but not cool enough to go clubbing
• 50% labs, 50% assignments, 100% confusing
• I went to one party then I got bored

University Professional degree: MBA Corporate Finance 2017-2019

• I can make an excel sheet about everything
• I have given up hope on humanity

Interests

• Traveling: Been to 25 countries so far
• Adventure sports: Bungee jumping, scuba, sky diving, you name it!
• Hiking: Hiked in Switzerland, Scotland, Austria and India

Now I'll pretend and add some generic ones

• Books: 50 shades of Stephen King
• Exercising: Whats really the point of running in one place or climbing a wall just to jump down again?
• Cooking: ...Fuzz...take out it is...

Awards

• Runner up on "Best Son 2014 for not bringing shame to the family"
• 1st Place on "How the hell do you play so much video games and still pass"

Languages spoken

• English: proficient
• Spanish: The first line in Despacito
• French: Limited to Hello, My name is ____, where is the bathroom

References

• Mom: If he doesn't get a GF soon, I will buy one
• Best friend: Let's make a gay pact at 33
• Ex-Best friend: Let's make a gay pact at 27

Pictures available on request

TL;DR 10-20min warm up walks “fixed” my injury.
No need for a big back story, I’m trying to get into running just like the rest of you! I had started off slow, walking 10-20min and trying to pick up the pace, then jogging 5 and walking 5.
Then suddenly I’m getting this awful pain in my calf when I’m running! It’s not there when I walk and I can’t seem to stretch it away. I was simply unable to run :( while I didn’t have tons of gains to protect, I had made mental gains by sticking with this, and the notion of needing to take a week or two off to heal a strained calf was annoying!
I googled around this forum and found others giving advice to warm up properly. I had previously thought that like, marathon runners or runners who race 5k’s and 10k’s might need to warm up. I’m just slow man jogging. Maybe if I got to that level I would start warming up but I was doing so little work I thought it wasn’t needed.
I started off kinda big, a 30min fast walk to really limber everything up and then do my 5min run and 5min walk. Suddenly, all the calf pain was gone! I still had regular muscle pains after the runs but that’s always been normal. And it want anything that would keep me from exercising.
I was dubious it was working, but have now gotten up to 15min run + 5min walk then repeat for 40min of moving…….and have my pre-run warm up walk down to 10min. That seems to be the amount of time for me to just begin the prickling of sweat.
Anyway, I’m just happy I found something simple to help me keep running, and thought I would share. We new runners might especially benefit from a warm up.

Bodypump 129 is out to most instructors. What’s everyone’s thoughts…?
Personally, I LOVE!!! Miles better than 128 and 127. I had a soft spot for 126 - music and moves were awesome. 125/124 were meh, 123 was amazing and so was 122, 121, 120.
In the last 10 releases or so, this is my personal favourite.
Interestingly, this release focusses on pure strength training and progressive overload. I like how a lot of the tracks focus on increasing load or moving to a heavier option (chest and biceps for example) to maximise muscle hypertrophy. Raegan even mentions maximising hypertrophy before the biceps track - this is a great focus as previously it’s been functional stuff yawn.
My breakdown:

1. Warm up - okay song; not the best. love the integrated moves between upper and lower.
2. Squats - probably my least favourite working track. Quite fast, music wasn’t incredible. But boy did it burn. Be careful keep weight lower than usual.
3. Chest - love love love the music and love the plate combo and then the burnout with the barbell.
4. Back - love love love the offset deadlift, and a myriad of exercises to blast your lats, traps, erectors, hamstrings, everything !!
5. Triceps - cool vibey song. Love the mixture of barbell work, plate work and bodyweight.
6. Biceps - vibey and love the feel of the song.. and it’s Rihanna so obviously it’s great ;)
7. Lunges - love love love the song. Super upbeat and gets you through the endurance of pulses!
8. Shoulders - love the song again!!! And the mac raise is back !! Proper shoulder burn.
9. Core - a lot longer than usual! Lots of integrated core stuff instead or just crunches with a really cool song.
10. Cool-down - very nice :)

Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed. Amazing music, real authentic bodypump vibe.
What does everyone else think??

So, I’ve noticed that my Readiness score drops when I’ve been in “stress” all day, even when I’ve gotten an optimal night’s sleep.
Take yesterday as an example:
I’m a teacher. I took my kids outside to read the play we’re reading because it was warm out. So I was up and down stairs every 40ish minutes and I spent that period in 75-80 degree weather, so naturally, my HR was elevated. Even though I wasn’t mentally stressed, it still read as physiological stress. After work, I had a busy afternoon: engaged in a therapy session, meal prepping, and then dinner at my in-laws. Again, nothing stressful, but “active.” My readiness this morning dropped even lower than the day prior, despite having a higher sleep score.
The day before that I was hungover, so I spent all day on the couch. Obviously not looking to make that a lifestyle.
I am not a particularly active person exercise-wise, but I’m looking to change that. I just want to know what to expect from Oura. When I increase activity, is it going to just keep dropping my readiness? Or will it eventually adapt to my new level of activity? How will it react to me weightlifting when it freaks out when I have a pretty lowkey but active day and optimal sleep?
Additional note: I have an IUD but I definitely still ovulate. My temps have been up, as if I’m ovulating. It drives me wild that Oura won’t take this phase of my cycle into consideration because I’m on a form of birth control, when studies show that a lot of women still ovulate with IUDs. Gahhh. So for this reason, I take readiness with a grain of salt.

I'm 27 male, about 6-7 months I was told I have GTPS and to do the exercises and should recover by now. Well I haven't, I'm setting up doctor appointment soon but I don't want to be told to do x for several months and be in the same position in another 6 months. I'm young pretty healthy, feel like this shouldn't be an issue, I'm 5'9 158lbs low body fat. I get pains left lower back/slightly above hip can move towards my leg. Pain can get worse sitting which is annoying since I work an office job, I try cushions to offset this which is embarrassing as the young guy on the team. At most I say the pain is like 6-7 out of 10, it's an achy pain, gets warm can feel it through my leg.
Further information not sure on relevancy but possibly? I have injured my left knee before couldn't bend it for about a month, broke a some toes left side as well. Had pain in left leg that would come and go for last 10 years, doctor couldn't determine the cause assuming it's from injuries. This pain around my hip has been quite annoying it's been affecting my work and ideally want it sorted asap.
Any advice to help get to the root of the cause quicker and get treated quicker will be appreciated.

Warm-Up Routines for Badminton Players
Effective warm-up routines are essential for badminton players to prevent injuries, enhance performance, and ensure that their bodies are prepared for the intense physical demands of the game. Here, we outline a comprehensive warm-up routine that includes general exercises for badminton players and sport-specific movements to get you ready for the court.
Why Warm-Up is Important
Warming up increases blood flow to muscles, improves flexibility, and primes the nervous system for the physical activity ahead. For badminton players, a well-structured warm-up helps in improving reaction times, agility, and overall performance on the court. Additionally, it reduces the risk of injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle tears, which are common in high-intensity sports like badminton.
Components of a Good Warm-Up Routine
A thorough warm-up routine for badminton players should consist of the following components:

1. General Aerobic Exercise
2. Dynamic Stretching
3. Sport-Specific Drills
4. Mental Preparation

Let's break down each component in detail.
1. General Aerobic Exercise
Start with light aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate and blood flow to your muscles. This phase should last about 5-10 minutes and can include activities such as:
- Jogging: A light jog around the court or in place helps to gradually raise your heart rate. - Skipping Rope: This is particularly beneficial for badminton players as it mimics the quick, explosive movements required in the game. - Cycling: If you have access to a stationary bike, 5 minutes of moderate cycling can effectively warm up your lower body muscles.
2. Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching involves moving parts of your body and gradually increasing reach, speed of movement, or both. It prepares the muscles and joints for the specific movements of badminton. Here are some dynamic stretches tailored for badminton players:
- Leg Swings: Stand on one leg and swing the other leg forward and backward, then side to side. This helps to loosen the hip flexors, hamstrings, and adductors. - Arm Circles: Extend your arms to the sides and make small circles, gradually increasing to larger circles. This warms up the shoulder joints, which are crucial for overhead shots. - Torso Twists: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and twist your torso from side to side, keeping your hips stable. This exercise warms up the core muscles and the lower back.
3. Sport-Specific Drills
After general aerobic exercises and dynamic stretching, move on to sport-specific drills. These drills should mimic the movements you'll be performing during the game, allowing your body to become accustomed to the intensity and types of movements required.
- Shadow Badminton: Without a shuttlecock, perform all the different shots like smashes, clears, drives, and drops as if you were playing a real game. This helps to warm up your muscles and joints while also focusing on footwork and technique. - Footwork Drills: Practice your footwork patterns such as the front-back movement, side-to-side shuffles, and the split-step. Good footwork is essential for reaching the shuttlecock efficiently. - Reaction Drills: Have a partner point in different directions, and you must react quickly and move accordingly. This enhances your reaction time and agility.
4. Mental Preparation
While physical preparation is critical, mental readiness is equally important. Take a few minutes to mentally prepare yourself for the game:
- Visualization: Visualize yourself executing perfect shots and winning points. Positive visualization can enhance performance and build confidence. - Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves and focus your mind. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Putting It All Together
Here’s a sample warm-up routine for badminton players:
1. General Aerobic Exercise (5-10 minutes) - 3 minutes of jogging or skipping rope - 2 minutes of cycling or brisk walking
2. Dynamic Stretching (5-10 minutes) - 1 minute of leg swings (30 seconds each leg) - 1 minute of arm circles (30 seconds forward, 30 seconds backward) - 1 minute of torso twists - 1 minute of lunges with a twist (30 seconds each side) - 1 minute of high knees or butt kicks
3. Sport-Specific Drills (10-15 minutes) - 5 minutes of shadow badminton - 5 minutes of footwork drills - 5 minutes of reaction drills
4. Mental Preparation (3-5 minutes) - 2 minutes of visualization - 1-2 minutes of deep breathing
Conclusion An effective warm-up routine is an essential part of the training regimen for badminton players. Incorporating a combination of general aerobic exercises, dynamic stretching, sport-specific drills, and mental preparation ensures that players are physically and mentally ready for the game. By following these exercises for badminton players, you can improve your performance, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance your overall enjoyment of the sport.

Increasing breast size naturally in just seven days can be challenging, as significant changes in the body typically require more time. However, there are several methods you can try to enhance your breast size naturally over a week. These methods include exercises, massages, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments. Here’s a guide on how to approach this:

1. Exercises

Certain exercises can help strengthen the pectoral muscles beneath your breasts, making them appear larger and firmer.
a. Push-Ups:

• Start in a plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor.
• Push back up to the starting position.
• Do 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions daily.

b. Chest Presses:

• Lie on your back with a dumbbell in each hand.
• Extend your arms straight up above your chest.
• Slowly lower the weights until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.
• Press the weights back up.
• Do 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions daily.

c. Chest Flies:

• Lie on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand.
• Extend your arms straight above your chest with palms facing each other.
• Lower your arms out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
• Bring the weights back together above your chest.
• Do 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions daily.

2. Massage

Massaging your breasts can stimulate blood flow and encourage the release of growth-promoting hormones.
Technique:

• Use a natural oil like olive oil or almond oil.
• Rub the oil between your hands to warm it up.
• Place your hands on your breasts and massage in circular motions, moving from the outside to the inside.
• Massage for 10-15 minutes twice a day.

3. Dietary Changes

Certain foods can help promote the growth of breast tissue due to their high levels of estrogen and other nutrients.
a. Fenugreek Seeds:

• Soak a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
• Drink the water or use the seeds in your meals.

b. Fennel Seeds:

• Boil a teaspoon of fennel seeds in water to make tea.
• Drink this tea once a day.

c. Soy Products:

• Incorporate tofu, soy milk, and soybeans into your diet to benefit from their phytoestrogens.

d. Healthy Fats:

• Include avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil in your diet to ensure you're getting enough healthy fats.

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Maintaining penis health is essential for overall well-being and sexual satisfaction. Incorporating daily habits that support penile health can help prevent issues such as erectile dysfunction, infections, and discomfort. In this guide, we'll explore a range of daily habits and practices to promote optimal penis health.
Hygiene Practices:

• Wash the penis daily with warm water and mild soap to remove sweat, bacteria, and debris.
• Dry the penis thoroughly after washing to prevent moisture buildup, which can contribute to fungal infections.
• Pay attention to the area beneath the foreskin (if uncircumcised) and clean it gently to prevent smegma accumulation.

Moisturizing:

• Apply a penis-specific moisturizer or natural oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) to the penis skin to keep it hydrated and supple.
• Moisturizing regularly can help prevent dryness, itching, and irritation, particularly for individuals prone to skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Safe Sexual Practices:

• Use condoms during sexual activity to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
• Communicate openly with sexual partners about sexual health and STI testing to ensure mutual protection.

Regular Exercise:

• Engage in regular physical activity to promote overall cardiovascular health, which is crucial for erectile function.
• Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen the muscles that support erections and improve bladder control.
• Natural Unique Exercise by Growth Matrix

Balanced Diet:

• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support overall health and circulation.
• Foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

Context

A few days ago I had a pretty bad fall on my ankle (heel hook stayed in place, not the rest of my body). Of course I want to come back not much weaker (or maybe stronger?). But I need to put a plan in place and I have a few questions about it that I haven't found covered in this sub.
For more information, I'm lead climbing about 7A both indoors and outdoors and bouldering about 6C on training boards (KilteMoonboard). I usually do two lead climbing sessions and one (sometimes two) bouldering/spraywall session.

Questions

Hangboarding

For this section, I think there's already a lot of information on the sub about what kind of handboarding you could do, so I'll find what's more adapted for me.
However, I have not done any handboarding at all (apart from warm-up), how many sessions a week seems ok for you? I was thinking of doing a bit of activation every other day but only 2 real sessions, can I go to 3?

Arm Strengh

Any interesting exercises or resources? Thought about working more on locks off.

Core

I saw some post where people were saying training core was not necessarily really usefull, however in case of an injury is it interesting and how do you do it?
Was thinking about bar related exercises plus abs roller.

Contact strength

When I will be able to walk but not climb, is it usefull to go back to the gym and do a bit of pan gulich ? Should I do other kind of exercices before.

Flexibility

I've never done stretching but is it something interesting to keep my level?

Other

I don't know if I should add any other type of exercice (maybe shoulder centric things), if so I'd be glad to hear about it.
Thanks!

So, over the weekend I finally decided to bite the bullet and take part in my first Muay Thai interclub.
Long story short, I've been training Muay Thai for over 3 years now, initially started training just to to lose some weight. I was 152 kg when I first started and I'm now around 70kg.
I trained in Thailand for a month a couple of years back but no fights. Instead I launched a clothing brand that I'm building up and thought I speak about Muay Thai so much so why not jump in myself.
I did a full write up here including the full video of my interclub: https://gymnasty.world/blogs/news/first-muay-thai-interclub-experience
Well aware of what I need to work on but this is just to show those that are considering competing that they can. I'm only 5ft3 so I'm always at a disadvantage but I always try and make it into a positive. It's all a learning experience and you can't pick and choose your opponents.
For those who'd rather not leave reddit, I'm dropping the full blog here:
Video: https://youtu.be/4NHImbqMJWc?si=I0V6xiPOKdOETmoa
After training Muay Thai for around three years, I finally decided to step into the ring.
On the 19th of May, 2024 I took part in my first inter club. Quite a big leap for me after losing over 88kg in weight, it was time to really put myself to the test.

My Training over the years

For over 3 years now I have trained consistently and had little breaks here and there. Even when I’m having a break, I’m not really having a break, I’m still doing some form of training or exercise.
I’ve always trained as though I’m going to compete, even though when I first started, I had no visions of actually competing. It was all just for fitness in the start.
Throughout consistent training and just naturally getting better, the goals had shifted.
First I just wanted to get fit, and I did. Then I wanted to start a business to inspire others to take up Muay Thai or martial arts training in general. I launched GYM NASTY.
So, what’s the new goal?
Well, it’s to have GYM NASTY shorts be worn in a fight at Rajadamnern or Lumpini, inspiring people along the way.
Now I’ve lost over 88kg in weight, my injuries had been all cleared. I took it upon myself to start taking my training a bit more seriously.

Training for a Muay Thai Interclub

It might sound a bit excessive but I was training for my Muay Thai interclub like it was an actual fight.
Running before pads and sparring, weights, strength and conditioning. To be fair this is how I usually train, but I wanted to get in the right mindset and prepare as best as I could so I stepped up the intensity a little bit more. There’s no point signing up if your head isn’t fully focussed on competing.
I didn’t focus on anything specifically but I upped my running and skipping to help with footwork, cardio and conditioning.

The day of my Interclub

On the day of my interclub I weighed myself again, only to find out that I was .8kg lighter than I had entered. I wasn’t too fussed about this, I spar a lot of bigger and taller opponents quite regularly. Being 5ft3 it’s something I’ve had to get used to over the years.
The interclub was held at Kiatphontip in Leeds, a very highly respected gym around the world, especially in the UK Muay Thai scene.
Believe it or not, I actually knew who my opponent was as he’d spoken to me through GYM NASTY before and had shown a lot of support for my journey so it was really nice to share my first interclub with him.
I had warmed up around the ring ready to go in, I felt quite sharp and very energetic. Wasn’t nervous at all which came as a surprise.
Once I’d stepped in the ring my mind went blank, it felt as though I’d just gone into auto pilot and everything was just going at 1,000 mph.

My first interclub

It was such a good feeling to finally get in the ring and compete. After training for over 3 years, it’s nice to see what level I’m at.
With it being my first time competing, I didn’t fully expect my mind to go as blank as it did. I kind of zoned out and could only hear faint voices from my coaches.
In the second round I relaxed a bit more and felt more comfortable. I wasn’t throwing as many fancy techniques as I usually experiment with in sparring, I was just trying to keep it basic without using too much energy.
It just goes to show, you definitely do fight how you train. Even though I wasn’t fully comfortable, I resorted to what I knew best and just kept it basic without trying risky techniques.
My first interclub was a really good experience, I wasn’t really worried at all and I handled it really well. I spent some time speaking with fighters and reading people’s interclub experiences online, just to get a feel of what I was letting myself in for.
Having competed now I can say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to fight again.
If you’re considering competing and it’s your first time, here are some of my key takeaways.

• Focus on cardio: Your adrenalin is going to kick in and sap your energy. It’s a bit more intense than usual sparring.
• Don’t worry: Everything is safe and controlled, you’re not meant to be putting all of your power into your shots.
• Enjoy the experience: Take everything in, once you’re settled start to enjoy it and have some fun.
• Warm up beforehand: Make sure you’re warmed up and you feel loose. You don’t want to cause yourself every injuries.
• Listen to your coaches: They’re there to help you, they will see things that you can’t see when you’re in there so make sure you keep an ear out for your corner once you’re settled.

What’s next for me competing?

Well, now I’ve got a taste for it, I most definitely want to go again.
I plan on competing in a few more interclubs this year to gain more experience and hopefully move up to fighting different classes.