Wow racism filter too. Impressive

Thanks TC! You are looking pretty incredible btw!

Fawk! I'll choose a different cashew selection next time on mfp to see if its more accurate. I'm starting to wonder! I'll prolly keep posting my meals just to get feedback like that.

The cashews are fancy because they're whole. I've found if I don't buy whole cashews I get cashew pieces so small they look like they're pre-chewed.

In mfp it's usually best to select an option with a green check mark next to the product name, those have been verified for accuracy.

Below is last night's work out. I started w goblet squats increasing them to 10 per set from 8. And 4 sets instead of 3. Couldnt get the 20 lb kettle bell so I settled for 7kg weighted ball. Close enough.

I really focused on form and making sure my knees didn't turn in, back straight and ass out. Form isn't great but getting better. Did planks in between but attached will show the whole story.



I'm not working out tonight because I have a focus group to attend from 8-10pm in Boston.



$250 for 2 hrs to give my opinion on healthcare. Time is inconvenient but I ain't turning it down.

I'll have a couple of hrs to kill between work and focus group so I'll prolly visit sis's bf. He's doing a little better: no more dialysis and he sat up for an hr yesterday.

Or I could get a mani & pedi to kill time, which I'm in dire need of. My right hand/palm hurts. There's a crack in the callous and skin on my palm is bubbling a little.

Ironically, I've done a focus group before on coffee!!! Nespresso coffee system to be exact. I really liked it but I didn't love having to order the coffee only from Nespresso, but good stuff!

Josie,

FYI it's not considered polite to call them coons anymore.

OMFG - I'll just use "raccoon" going forward which grossed me out cuz I hate them so much! I have been traumatized by raccoons and have a severe raccoon phobia!

In fact, you can all expect a raccoon story from me this afternoon - just as soon as I get some shiat done in work.

Raccoons are awesome. Do you hate bunnies and puppies and kittens also?

Raccoons are vile vermin.

I dislike dogs that bite or hump me but puppies are okay.

Bunnies are cute esp because I don't interact with them.

I love kittens and cats.

You can call me coontie if you wish.

Ok so flash back about 12 years ago.

I was home alone with my son who was about 7 yrs old at the time. We were watching some video on a Saturday morning when we heard a crash coming from the "toy room" which was a room we hadn't renovated (old house) and where we stashed tons of toys.

"Hmmmm" we thought and just kept watching the video.

A couple of minutes later a HUGE raccoon came strolling into the living room, in a laid back matter and just looked at us. wtf!

Then he/she strolled by, headed for our closed window and tried repeatedly to get out through it.

I was panicking! I jumped up and opened the front and back doors, hoping he'd figure the way out. I decided to wait this out in the back yard btw. I still remember my son saying "Calm down Mom. Why don't you go to the neighbor's house?"

The raccoon was all calm too...just hanging out by the ottoman and that ****er was bigger than the ottoman.

Finally I went back inside to check to see if it had left and I found he was gone. Woo hoo! I run back outside to tell my son and it's now in the middle of the path - no longer calm. We were inches away from each other and he was pissed and showing his teeth. I was frozen until my son came up behind me, tugged my hand and lead me away.

Ugh - since then son likes to leave little raccoon pictures here and there.

Fast forward to last summer...I was sitting in my backyard getting some sun. I put my feet up on the fire pit to get comfy. At some point I open my eyes and see a raccoon trotting right toward me.

I figure he didn't realize I was there cuz I hadn't been moving and think my best bet is to stay still and he'll just go by.

WRONG

He's getting closer and closer until he was actually UNDER my legs, as though my legs were a bridge. AND THEN HE STOPS. His head is peeking through one side and his ass the other.

What the ****! We're both still - he under my legs....I could feel his fur on the backs of them.

The thought in my mind was "There's no way this can end well." Did he not realize I was there?

For some reason I decide to nudge him with my leg. I thought he'd get the hint that I was alive and he'd run away. Dumb.

I nudge him and he jumps, which makes me jump. He was jumping back away from me I think but banged into me, which changed me from a silent statue to a screaming lunatic..we were all tangled up, I landed on the ground and he slowly walked away.

The mother****er.

LOL As you wish, Coontie!

Imagine how you'd cope with those situations if you were in your current shape: you'd surely be able to fight both raccoons off or at least run away quick. So they're no longer a threat to you. Let go of the past.

Why thank you. I hadn't thought of that but the prospect of fighting off raccoons does not appeal to me.

Imagine the confidence boost that you'd get if you did try and fight one off.

Edit: you don't even need to fight an actual raccoon - you can fight your son dressed as a raccoon - it looks like the main contributor to your phobia was not the actual strength of the animal but that your son humiliated you for your then weakness, and it's your son to whom you need to prove that you've become strong. And he can be easy on you unlike an actual raccoon so you'll defeat him for sure.

Yeah, maybe I told the story inaccurately because my son didn't humiliate me. He remained calm and level headed, which I needed and appreciated.

Though I'm sure he'd love to dress up as a raccoon and wrestle, I'm going to pass.

Killing time with a Chopin Gimlet. Dammit Chopstick was right!

Aaaaand here's dinner! Except I'm not eating the crab cakes. Everything else on the plate is fair game: 2 jumbo shrimp cocktail, maple smoked salmon, yellow fin tuna on seaweed salad. Get in mah belly!

!



Edit: note the crispy poached egg option above the plate I got. If I wasn't sick of eggs I would've tried it!

Happy Friday!

Thursday's log:

Calories 1187
Protein 81g
Fat 54g
Carbs 63g

That includes vodka! I had some time to kill waiting for the focus group to start so I grabbed dinner. Almost went to Panera, they have some good protein filled salads, but decided to treat myself instead. I had a fish tasting which was good but not a lot of volume. I need to eat more meat.
Below is my food log. Lemme know if I got dinner close. I dunno.



Soooooo I've been at this for a month! Feels like longer. But here's what I've been doing for said month that I hadn't been doing prior.

Joined a gym! I work out 5-6 days a week.
Track on mfp. I'd stopped that a while ago.
Reduced my calories to 1,200ish daily
Make protein the focus of all meals and build around it.
NEAT- look it up and go for a walk!
Little couch potato time

I've lost almost 6 lbs in the month and I'm feeling really good. I can see a slight difference physically too.

I'm going to set some goals for month 2 and see if I can hit them. Y

Rare day that I didn't bring my lunch. I was out late last night doing the focus group and didn't make lunch so I went to Jimmy Johns. They'll make your sandwich in a lettuce wrap, if u ask nicely.

I got double meat, provolone cheese and mustard. I'm going to try like hell to finish it.

Bf

They have a nutrition calculator online, so you can get the exact macros if you so desire.

I had no idea, ty. This was my first time trying Jimmy John's but I will def go back when I need a quick lunch.

A Gargantuan with extra meat will get you a whole day's worth of protein.

First of all, that sounds dirty.

Second of all, I had to check it out for myself. A Gargantuan with extra meat, no mayo, no bread, has 119g of protein. Holy shiat! Have you eaten one before?

Mine had 38g of protein which is pretty good for us mere mortals!

yeah, that's my go-to meal at JJ when I'm very hungry - a garg with double meat, no cheese and ez mayo because I dont want to offend loco.

Loco is crazy about you.

Friday log:
Got to the gym at 8pm till close at 10pm. No cardio. Started w goblet squats w 20lb kettle bell. Knees felt fine. Form and depth improving big time. Then 30 sec planks in between. 4 sets. I'm doing this every day I go to gym and knees feel good. This amazes me.

I've still been avoiding the seated leg press tho, because it seems to strain my knees. I suppose I could do it w very low weight.

Below is a list of what I got done, ending the night w farmers walks. In the last two sets I doubled the length of the walk! 4 lengths instead of 2.



Off to the gym now for some cardio (and goblet squats natch).