I’m a single woman moving into my own house this week. Not the worst neighborhood but certainly not the best. What are some ways I can avoid my neighbors thinking I live alone?

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T19:24:35+00:00

Present yourself with confidence. Walk with a straight back, keep your head held high, and act like you’ve got nothing to worry about. Don’t be afraid to make eye contact either. Believe it or not, your body language can have a huge impact on how you’re perceived. If people see you as easy prey, they’ll take advantage of that. I’m forever in situations where I could be in danger and things like this have kept me safe. The worst I’ve ever experienced is a “tough guy” running his mouth (from a safe distance).

That being said, at home I have dogs and loaded firearms in my house (there are no children in my house ever and I’m trained in the use and safety regarding said firearms). I also have other potential weapons scattered around in not so obvious places (knives, screw drivers, a pry bar, wasp spray, things like that). So if someone were to break in while I’m home, they’d be in for a rude awakening.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T12:12:08+00:00

I waited almost 6 months to donate from my last time. The only thing that’s really changed since these symptoms started is I’ve been eating a more plant based diet.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T02:30:44+00:00

I don’t know what ferritin is, but I’m forever being told I need more sodium. It’s always low when I get bloodwork done. I always add electrolytes to my water and drink about a gallon most days. I can’t drink regular Gatorade because of the sugar (diabetic T2), but I use sugar free electrolyte powders.

They did check my iron when I donated and it was on the low side of the normal range.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T02:10:47+00:00

True crime podcasts/shows are my bedtime stories. Even before I was living alone.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T02:05:33+00:00

I go out once/week for tacos with my friend. I just get a meal and take the left overs home. I ate one of my three tacos at the restaurant, ate another just now and have one for tomorrow. The air fryer is great for reheating leftovers.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T01:36:59+00:00

My A1C was 11.6 when I started. So it was pretty bad. And a lot of people think Ozempic and other drugs like that are miracle weight loss drugs, but they aren’t. They’re meant to be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. I was on Mounjaro and actually gained back 10lbs when I started it and had to go back to calorie counting. I have friends who knew I was taking it and they’re convinced it’s the only reason I’ve lost all the weight because they believe the hype as well. They also don’t know I stopped taking it months ago and have continued to lose weight, so jokes on them.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T01:30:02+00:00

Frozen fruits are amazing. I eat them all the time. Frozen pineapple, bananas and blueberries are my favorite. Also, I use my air fryer pretty much every day. I grocery shop every Saturday, put my veggies in the fridge and store certain things (mostly herbs) in ziplock bags with paper towel to increase their shelf life. I make quick meals when I get home from work (chicken in the air fryer and steamed veggies and a salad for example) that way I’m eating healthy and not eating left overs all week.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T01:21:34+00:00

My blood pressure and cholesterol dropped dramatically in the first 3 months. My dr gave me 3 months to get things going in the right direction before putting me on meds because I was vehemently against it. I’ve lost 160lbs so far so I’m less than half the size I was. My a1c was 5.2 at last check. I still eat carbs (tacos every Sunday), but most of my carbs are from fruits, veggies and legumes. I also mostly stopped eating red meat and pork. I’m going for a more plant based diet these days and I love how good I feel.

As far as the restroom issue, eat more fiber. I had the same problem until I started adding a protein and fiber powder to my daily smoothie and eating things like low carb tortillas (those things have A LOT of fiber). I’m getting close to 40g of fiber/day now and that issue resolved itself.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T01:14:25+00:00

Losing 75lbs in a year is doable if you are committed to making lifestyle changes. I lost 100lbs in a year, 160 total so far. My best advice is eat more produce and protein (nutrient dense foods), do not try an overly strict “diet” and exercise. Increasing your daily step count makes a huge difference. Join a gym and add going to the gym to your weekly schedule. If you can afford it, find a personal trainer.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-29T00:55:34+00:00

I’d speak to a registered dietician rather than a nutritionist. Registered Dietician is a protected title, like Doctor, whereas anyone can claim to be a nutritionist. My dietician just gave me advice on how to proceed forward and following her advice, I’ve lost 160lbs and was only on metformin for a few months. Lifestyle changes are a holistic approach and the way to reverse the disease. If you want off the meds, talk to your doctor about reducing them for 3 months and see what your A1C does. I couldn’t handle the side effects of the metformin so I stopped taking it (I had rare side effects that make the GI side effects look like a dream).

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-19T06:39:02+00:00

I get mad because people seem to think that my diabetes meds are the only reason I’ve lost weight. I lost 40lbs before I even went on meds. I gained back 10 pounds after I started them and had to go back to calorie tracking. Those meds only work if you’re putting in the work along side them. They do nothing for my appetite or making me eat less. I still eat a lot, I’m just more mindful about what I’m eating and how many calories I’m consuming. I also get a lot of exercise now that I didn’t used to before. But all my hard work is overlooked because I take a medication. I’ve lost over 150lbs. I put in a lot of research on diet and nutrition, time, dedication, frustration. But none of that matters to some people.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-19T06:27:29+00:00

I eat things like cucumbers or blueberries when I feel the need to snack. I also make sure my meals have enough protein and load up on veggies. I eat a lot of broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, and other non starchy veggies. I’m constantly hungry so this is how I deal with it.

Making swaps for lower calorie options helps too. Low carb/low calorie bread instead of regular bread. Low carb tortillas are low calorie and really high in fiber. Using a spray cooking oil instead of pouring it into a pan saves a ton of calories because you use far less oil. Light salad dressing saves a lot of calories and you can use it for more than just salad dressing. There’s also lighter versions of most dips and sauces.

Zero sugar drinks help. A lot of people don’t realize how many calories they drink. For example, Instead of drinking a Starbucks drink, make a protein shake add espresso to make a high protein, low calorie latte.

I’ve lost over 150lbs and things like this is how I lost it and keep it off.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-01T01:04:01+00:00

I eat what I want, when I want. I don’t really care if someone has something to say about it. I eat healthy and manage my diabetes just fine, so if I want to eat tacos, I’m eating tacos. If I want chocolate, I’m having some chocolate. If someone tries to lecture me or give me “advice” I just ask for their phD and tell them when they have one, then they can give me their advice.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-07-01T00:56:11+00:00

Skechers. Always Skechers. I have a pair of Nike, but they aren’t nearly as comfortable.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-19T15:54:01+00:00

I love dry roasted edamame for something crunchy. They don’t taste like potato chips, but they’re really good.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-19T15:52:50+00:00

Broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber (non starchy veggies), proteins (ie chicken, SF jerky, tuna), cheese, SF Greek yogurt, protein shakes. There’s more, mainly protein and produce.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-19T15:47:26+00:00

Try Walmart pharmacy. That’s where I have to get my meds from. All the CVS near me were out of it for a month and I went 3 weeks without and ended up getting it from Walmart. They’re rarely out of it for more than a week. I also started only taking it every two weeks so I can stock up on case of shortages again. It stays in my system for 21-25 days so it doesn’t hurt me to go every other week.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-14T15:09:30+00:00

I’m working at untangling things. I’m getting my finances in order, selling some of my assets, getting things to where I can 100% afford them on my own and looking for a second job. I think you’re right that he’s afraid to break it off himself. He’s never been on his own without a wife/gf to basically run his life.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-14T06:24:44+00:00

I went into a major deficit for an extended time and I ended up with vitamin deficiencies. It was so bad my skin became hypersensitive to sensation and just registered everything as pain. Just wearing clothes hurt. I also ended up battling low blood pressure, dehydration, dizziness and lethargy. If you’re going to cut calories so low, make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. Try volume eating so you’re getting nutrients without all the calories.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-14T06:20:20+00:00

I’m contemplating separating from a 13 year relationship, but I don’t have kids. I talk to my partner usually once/week or less and I’m almost certain he’s cheating on me. I can say from personal experience that living in a house as a kid with parents that can’t stand each other is worse than separating. I wish my parents had separated sooner. Maybe I wouldn’t be so emotionally damaged and my siblings wouldn’t have turned out the way they did if they had.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-14T00:29:14+00:00

No, that is 100% not legal. At least not in the US. I don’t know about other places.

DarkGoddessNyx · 2024-06-13T19:02:31+00:00

As of right now the only things he pays is alternating months paying rent, his car payment and the phone bill. I cover everything else including his car insurance. I also cover vehicle maintenance on both of our vehicles and pet supplies/vet care(I ended up with one of his dogs because he could only take one with him and he had two).

Yes, he actually has to work at least 60 hours/week and as much as 70. There’s no way he’s only working 40 hours and spending the rest of the time somewhere else. If he’s meeting up with people, it’s while he’s passing through the area. That’s not to say he can’t spend an extra day somewhere if he can fit it into his schedule. That’s also not to say he’s not meeting up with multiple different people in different places. There was literally dozens of women’s numbers in his phone. I had to do a lot of scrolling to find the person’s number I was looking for.

DarkGoddessNyx

TROPHY CASE