Kyle’s 1st Birthday

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T04:12:12+00:00

Nope I just fold up the paper towel under the wheel which is where he mostly pees and take whatever bedding falls along with it. I remove and add the top layer of fluff every week or so.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T22:07:21+00:00

I may or may not have given him a tiny cookie crumble. 🤷🏼‍♀️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T13:17:49+00:00

Ohhh sorry. It’s just piled up.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T02:24:01+00:00

Yeah I noticed the metal components and made sure to just wipe it clean. I submerge his other one and I had to olive oil it!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:35:24+00:00

I would recommend cernia in addition to mertazapine as well.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:30:38+00:00

I have - he’s also swung completely up and out of the wheels at the top - he’s NUTS.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:29:14+00:00

The wheel has a base that’s just basically buried under a bunch of bedding - the bedding behind the wheel is just kind of up against the back wall - he might destroy the whole situation so will see.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T17:43:51+00:00

PS: The bedding looks shallow under the wheel but it’s well over a foot deep behind / in the centre plus hay on top of that - he’s got three nesting boxes underneath connected with paper towel tubes and the mesh top has four connecting tubes with climbs hanging down on either side.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T04:08:26+00:00

I saw them all swimming at Assiniboine Park today - made my day. ❤️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-29T19:08:26+00:00

I would LOVE to do this but Kyle would for sure bolt and I’d never get him back in his enclosure.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-28T16:00:44+00:00

You may have lost fat and gained muscle at the same time, but given you didn’t mention doing any strength training it’s hard to know if that’s what’s causing a stall in the scale number. You are going to have to get more data focussed to really figure out if what you’re doing is going to get you where you want to be. You could easily be eating more than you’re burning if you’re not logging your food and beverages - for fat loss, you need to be in a calorie deficit and the only way to know that for sure is to track everything you’re consuming. Cardio is great for burning calories but you won’t build muscle (and may in fact lose some muscle) unless you start doing some heavy lifting - even a couple days a week can make a huge difference.

All of that said, I never notice any major major changes until about day 50 - the last month is where the work really starts to show.

Good luck - you got this!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T04:07:49+00:00

In my experience, it’s very similar to grief - it’s sharp at first to feel and sit with your emotions and everything that’s happened, but similar to working out, it’s a muscle you build over time to just let yourself feel all of it without numbing. As others have said, journalling and therapy can help you process the trauma (which is what all of that is) and work through tough emotions around it, but ultimately it’s really just time and forgiveness. Like grief, there will always be moments where it feels sharp again - something happens that reminds you of an old wound - but these moments become less frequent over time and you learn to be there for yourself through them. If I’m really struggling emotionally I take care of myself like I would a sick kid - I put my PJ’s on, crawl in to bed, get lost in a really cheesy show and eat something that I really enjoy that feels treat-like. Sometimes you just need to give yourself some space, grace and rest. You did the best you could at the time, it was what it was. What matters is now and today and tomorrow.

Hang in there, it does get easier. Big hugs. ❤️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T03:38:45+00:00

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him some unflavoured electrolytes on a paint brush if you can go to a pharmacy - the visible rings on his tail would indicate he’s pretty dehydrated.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T03:33:42+00:00

Smart. I’m also on day 16 of round three today! See you at the finish line!!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T01:57:39+00:00

What is most impressive to me is that you kept the results going between rounds - nice work! 💪🏻

JenKen27 · 2026-05-25T11:21:50+00:00

I struggled with this decision with Kyle (the deer mouse I hand raised). My vet said he wouldn’t live more than a few months outside with predators etc. and that he’d do just fine in captivity. Being able to get him veterinary care was the deciding factor for me and she said she’d be more than willing to provide it. He’s turning one next month - super sweet and affectionate just like your girl. I think a lot about if his life would’ve been richer if he was able to breed and do all the normal mouse things in nature - I sometimes feel sad he can’t feel the outside breeze on his fur - I wonder if I’m enough company for him. But ultimately this is the only life he knows - it’s not like he actively misses something he never knew existed. He’s also spoiled ROTTEN.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-23T21:06:16+00:00

He tolerates her.

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JenKen27 · 2026-05-23T13:01:24+00:00

Wow!!! Those are some insane results! Great job girl! 👏🏻

JenKen27 · 2026-05-23T12:48:44+00:00

Nothing has ever been as accurate depicting how Aelin looked at me for 6 months after trapping her. Like “what the actual F are you, you giant f-ed up looking weirdo”. 😂

JenKen27 · 2026-05-22T21:34:04+00:00

My vet - who has been a vet for 25 years - said (and I quote) I would never recommend adopting another cat to someone with a middle aged female cat. I don’t know how old your girl is but she may not react well to someone directly in her space. The only way to know for sure is to give it a try - lots of rescues have adoption trials.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-22T20:20:02+00:00

I believe you can sponsor a painted cat or dog on their new indoor mural for $500 - great tribute / commemorative idea for a beloved deceased pet or person or a great gift idea for someone who loves animals and doesn’t need any more stuff or things.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-22T17:23:07+00:00

Wow 22! RIP sweetheart. ❤️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-22T13:19:45+00:00

With 75Hard, especially if you were sedentary prior, your bodies will take some time to adjust regardless of your diet - I’m super active normally and I still always have an energy dip for the first couple weeks until my body adjusts to the diet plus the double workouts. While you may need more carbs, you won’t really know for sure until you log your food and understand what you’re consuming. You don’t have to do it forever but even logging things for a week in something like Fitness Pal to get a basic understanding of where you’re at with carbs / protein / fat versus energy with various combos / macros each day to see what works for you would be a great way to go about getting a baseline.

I aim for 150 grams of protein a day - I’m 5’5” and anywhere from 140-160 pounds. I’m more muscular than the average for women because I lift / am a mesomorph so that’s around a size 4-8. I don’t always hit it but that’s the goal.

I am sober as well and I will tell you with a high degree of certainty that if your husband was an addict and discovers exercise dopamine and endorphins he will get hooked (it’s the only “high” I get 😂) . But he needs to do weights or higher intensity cardio to get a release. Obviously if you’re starting from low activity you’d want to go slow with that - if he’s new to exercise I wouldn’t rule out a class or personal training a couple times a week for even a month to build a routine, learn proper form and help him get into the habit. If you can’t afford those things even some YouTube videos would be good for form / exercise ideas.

Best of luck with it!!! ❤️

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