I Lurk

This is not the direction I’m meant to go in when I talk about my novel or the legacy of the tradwife. I’m meant to focus instead on the rise of milkmaid fashion, the proliferation of handkerchief headbands at Target, the sociopolitical implications of the apron-heavy spring Miu Miu line. I’m meant to talk about those consequences of “the tradwife obsession” that we are reasonably capable of stomaching. I know this because when, in response to a question about my novel, I try to talk about Renee Good, who was shot dead by ICE agents, I am gently encouraged to pivot, or alternatively reminded that what I’m saying is a bit of a stretch, and this makes me feel crazy. I’m not crazy. It’s not a stretch. The tradwife, like the 1950s housewife, is not a real person. She is not a trend, or a cultural obsession. She is an advertisement, a curated performance of womanhood with a link in bio for purchases, who has shown up, like a 1950s advertisement, to remind women of their true purpose: serve, smile, procreate and purchase.

Shep (collie/shepherd) is the dog I grew up with, Bailey (leonberger) is the dog I had in my teenage years, and Rusty Nail (leonberger) is my parents' current monster.

I'm no guru whatsoever but all I can recite is what I've done this past 11 months now

40/30/30 - Protein, carb, fats

Then getting a proper body scan done somewhere can be super helpful as it gives you proper insight on what you've got going on and makes progress easier to measure (I only check every 6-8 weeks, no daily or weekly over analysing checks)

Also, if you're working out at least 3 times a week, you can have soooo many more calories than you might think. People get hung up on deficits but set their count way too low then feel hungry and lethargic all the time. Last I checked I could have like 2.3k a day and still be in a deficit, nice!

I was never much of a drinker and chocolate I was able to scale back easily enough. No sugary drinks for the most part. I'm pretty much exclusively water then with meals out, which are a rarity, I'll have a coke

Protein is your biggest friend. It builds muscle (even if you don't intend to keep it. Building it burns fat, so bulk up then ease off to get that leaner look) and makes you feel fuller easier

I hate the powders and most protein fueled bars, they taste grim. uFit is the brand of shakes I actually like, you can get big boys that are 50g protein (according to the label)

It also just takes time. I've gone from a 2XL to a M in 11 months, I don't think that's too common but I'm very ok with having the same breakfast / dinner eeeeevery single day lol

Breakfast - porridge, strawberries, milk

Lunch - chicken breast or sliced chunks in a white or half wrap (and a tiny kinder bar for sweet treat)

Dinner - bit more free reign as I usually have plenty of calories left by the end of the day