Rudynate

No. It can become compulsive but it is not possible to become physically addicted to hiring escorts. However, in everyday conversation, compulsive behavior and addiction are often conflated.

That's true, yes. I do hire partly on looks - if a trainer/coach has a great build, to me, that's the first evidence that he can help me with my goals. I used to train at World Gym from time to time and I noticed that all of their trainers were all over-the-hill and out of shape. I mentioned it to my coach and he pointed out, "Yeah, but those guys have a LOT of wisdom." Unfortunately, World Gym was a casualty of the pandemic. They were family-owned and just didn't have the staying power that big box gyms have. I haven't thought about it, but I bet there has been a consolidation in the fitness industry caused by the pandemic. Another place I hated to see go under was San Francisco Crossfit in the Presidio. Same story, they didn't have the staying power - beautiful facility.

That must have been a loooong time ago. I've been going to gay gyms for nearly 40 years and any one that I have been in is full of extremely fit gay men busting their asses.

Duh. Of course you don't hire just any trainer.

Hiring a trainer is the most expedient way to "get it done right."

If I was using prosciutto in a recipe, I don't think I would use any salt beyond that at all.

Of course, I know that. I've had surprising things happen at my gym. MSMs pop out of the woodwork anywhere you go. Even though my gym is mostly straight, this is San Francisco, after all - so there are plenty of gay members. Because of the mix, you would just never call this a "gay" gym. I like it - especially because there are so many men of color. My husband isn't comfortable with it- he prefers a "gay" gym. The one thing about the clientele that tries my patience is all the women monopolizing any piece of equipment that they can use to build their booties.

My gym is mostly straight - but it is chock full of gorgeous young college-age guys - mostly Latin or Asian. I don't go there to cruise - I'm definitely there for the iron, but I definitely appreciate my surroundings. I chat guys up all the time and I have friendly gym-buddy relationships with lots of guys. It's always an enjoyable time. I've really missed it since I've been sick.

For me, it's eggs and oatmeal nearly every morning.

I have that too. They call it "reactive hypoglycemia." I have completely stopped eating pancakes and waffles for breakfast. If I have pancakes or waffles at breakfast, less than an hour later, I get dizzy and break out in a cold sweat - even if I have used sugar-free syrup.

They are excellent in Germany as well. They serve them in a big paper cone with a big glob of mayonnaise on top.

Cold, leftover carbs like potato salad are "resistant starch," - whole different ball game. Also, some of those low-to-moderate glycemic index carbs contain proteins called lectins which are thought to be unhealthful.

Agree - it is splitting hairs. It seems pointless to draw the distinction - a "distinction without a difference."

When I opened my very first savings account at age 7 or so, I think the rate was 4 or 4.5 %.

Exactly - I will not buy branded clothing no matter how "stylish" or "prestigious." Actually, I take that back. I don't mind buying branded stuff from places like Target because the only messages it conveys are that I'm thrifty and I that I don't care (too much) about what others think.

I think those brightly-colored athletic shoes that have become so popular look terrific. Haven't bought yet, but I've been pondering a pair of red ones.

I have never made puff pastry, but I have made croissants - same idea, but with a yeast dough.

It just isn't even an issue for me, but of course, it's hard to find a city as gay-friendly as SF. Health care providers here are so friendly and caring it wouldn't feel right to withhold from them.

Of course, and docs in this specialty are well aware that not everyone is a candidate for TRT.

Mainstream physicians don't know anything about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Even endocrinologists don't know anything about TRT. You need to see somebody who specializes in hormone optimization. The medical mainstream tends to dismiss docs who practice in this speciality, but their patients are pretty happy.

Mostly I agree, but now again it's fun to roll and cut pasta by hand or stretch the the dough for strudel by hand.

Thank you for the information. - I'm glad you're doing well. A characteristic of polymyalgia is that the response to even a small dose of corticosteroids is dramatic - my daily dose is tiny - 5mg x 3. I have read that methotrexate is used as a fallback if the corticosteroids don't work well. Tocilizumab is in stage II trials.

Im wondering if any forum members are living with autoimmune disorders, such as RA. I was just dx'd with polymyalgia - which is sort of RA light - stiff, sore joints, low-grade fever, no appetite, vascular inflammation. Supposedly it will go away eventually - maybe in a year, maybe in 3 years. Treatment is a small daily dose of corticosteroids. I'm in the process of figuring life out going forward.

It also helps to understand what REALLY motivates you. I am much more motivated by having a tight waist than I am by having a healthy BP. Fortunately, the path to a tight waist is the same as the path to a healthy BP.

I usually get Cary's.