Slower loser here. I started Z March 25th and have lost a total of 12lbs. I see people posting about having so much more weight loss in that kind of time span. It is hard to not feel discouraged. I exercise regularly and am eating between 1500-1800/kcals day. Currently on 5mg.
I just want to be able to see the difference and not be discouraged ☹️

This is my current resume.
Since the beginning of April I’ve been applying to get out of the automotive industry and away from my current job that I hate for hopefully good. I’ve been working for 14 months on a flat rate wage for owners that don’t care about anything other than their profits and brown-nosing gearheads. I had to practically fight to get my current role and when looking back, I should have quit. Wasn’t worth it despite its simple!
I submitted my last two applications to other jobs tonight because I can’t keep applying and applying and applying with no real hits. It’s affecting me badly and I don’t think I’ve been this sad about life in a while.
I can’t financially risk it to take a lesser paying position somewhere or anything starting lower where you might be able to make a good rate after X days on the job. Basically if I don’t make my car payment once - I lose my car. It’s that simple. I guess asking for $17 is too much.
I’m 30 and struggling

Generally, I expect "calories burned" estimators to be very generous in telling you you burn much more than you actually do. However, I did the math on my Oura data vs calorie intake vs weight, and I am finding that Oura is consistently underestimating my total calories burned per day by 300–600 calories a day (being generous on my error bars here because my calorie tracking is imperfect, and the calorie deficit you need for weight loss being not an exact science).
There are, of course, other explanations than Oura underestimating calories burned by activity, but I'm wondering if anyone else has done this sort of analysis, and what they have found.

Previous chapter
“I hate it.”
Mareus slapped his mouth and bit down on his lips in a futile attempt to capture his half-asleep words. His body tensed while listening for any signs of the stranger, bracing himself for some monster of a person to come rushing from the dark to finish him off.
Though, it didn’t matter in the end if they were paying attention to him or not. They clearly already knew where he was and, for some reason, chose to leave him alone after pulling him from the rubble and treating his injuries.
He clutched at his stomach, his hunger pangs goading him to push aside the anxiety and crawl his way towards the bowl still waiting patiently for him. There were no signs of it being changed or infested by any of the creatures hiding away, in fact, a gentle warmth still radiated from it. A pleasant aroma floated through the still air as if it had a will of its own, enticing him like some carnivorous flower lying in wait.
Mareus ignored his pain and fatigue as he absentmindedly made his way closer to the beckoning meal. What was he so worried about? If the stranger hadn’t done anything yet, then they probably weren’t going to from the start. It wasn’t like he was in any state to resist them anyway.
That’s right. He justified. It’s just sitting there, waiting for me.
The bowl was only a breath away now. Mareus stretched against his bandages enough for the wrappings around his fingers to brush the rim before the markings let out a faint light and constricted his body. He was almost there and wouldn’t give up, one more time he resisted their binding and was able to hook his finger on the inside of the rim.
Putting all the strength he had into the one finger he fought against the rough, uneven ground to reel in his catch. A faint glow lit up the black stone and his heart stopped before his restraints forced his arm back. Spilling his only food in a mocking halo as the bowl rolled on its side.
That was it, his only food mixed in with the wet dirt of the cave floor. He almost dove at it before realizing the intense hunger and drive he had was now fading away. His hunger was still there to some degree, but now it was more like an emptiness scratching at the back of his stomach. The overwhelming desire to eat was almost entirely gone.
A faint breeze brought his attention back to the bowl and he watched as markings like the ones on his bandages let out one last dim breath of light. When they went dark his hunger returned to the back of his mind.
After crawling back into his hole, the cave was filled with the sounds of hundreds of insects rushing over and feasting on the spilled meal. The echoes of chitin tapping on stone and trudging through the mush assaulting his ears. Covering his ears only replaced their frenzy with the sound of his blood flowing through his ears.
Mareus alternated between listening to the rhythmic thumps lulling him to sleep and the chittering that convinced him, more than once, that the insects had crawled in his ears. The minutes drawing into hours, maybe even days, as reason began slipping away.
A gentle clack of wood being placed on stone silenced the world.
He carefully rolled over and saw another bowl, the insects were gone, the mess was cleaned. It was like everything that happened was a dream, only this time he didn’t have this unnatural drive compelling him to reach the bowl.
Whatever the markings were meant to do, this one didn’t seem to have them. He watched as the cave life made their way back to his food. They didn’t attack it right away this time, instead they circled their prey waiting for the right time. Mareus closed his eyes and focused on listening for their movements when he heard a damp thud that must have been one of them falling in the food.
That sound must have been the signal the rest were waiting for because they converged on the meal and devoured with a gluttony he didn’t know they were capable of. Despite the gut churning sounds, he focused on every bit as he counted his heart beat.
Two thousand four hundred and twenty…seven.
The cave had finally settled down again as the insects returned to their hiding places. Mareus kept counting though, he had to stay focused so he could figure out how to tell when the stranger was coming. He had no idea how often they came by but he needed to learn anything he could if he wanted to make it back home.
Twenty-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.
Muffled steps approached the bowl and wordlessly replaced it with another, the gentle clank dancing around the cave walls. Words wanted to leave his mouth, to ask the stranger questions, to make demands. But, what would he say, what could he say?
Mareus’ chest tightened as he tried to find the words, his mind struggling with the growing distraction of the empty feeling in his stomach. They were gone as silently as they arrived.
He started counting again. Using the hunger pangs to fight his body’s cries for sleep he waited out another four or five changes of the bowl. He couldn’t remember exactly anymore as his guard lightened and the exhaustion wrapped around him like a warm blanket. Against his best effort sleep finally took him.
The elders were watching over the younger generations going about their routines. The whole village was in the middle of doing their morning exercises with the sunrise, the bigger clans and families had their yards filled with people flowing from stance to stance, while the smaller families gathered in front of the Elder’s Hall or practiced in their gardens.
Before he knew it, Mareus was running errands and was racing pass villagers tending to fields of medicinal herbs and vegetables while guards kept their eyes on the edge of the forest for any signs of wild beasts.
Then one day a doctor from some big sect visited them and told him that he had the cure to his diverted meridians. The village elders held a big celebration in front of their hall and they had a special ceremony where Granny Hua accepted him as a disciple. When he looked out to the crowd, the sun shone on hundreds of smiling faces.
Tears ran down his face as he smiled and waved at everyone. The salty taste made the world shimmer like a painting being washed away.
Please don’t go. He thought.
The infection of reality found its way into his heart and the dream continued to shimmer before warping and twisting the scene from before.
Mountains of rubble replaced the beautiful homes that stood for generations. One after another the people fell while letting out muted screams. Smoke began to fill the air like some ghostly fog and ash painted the now faceless bodies strewn everywhere. Bodiless cries fought with one another to be helped.
Mareus fell to his knees at the center of the destruction while pleading. “Please, don’t do this. Don’t take them from me again.”
The one eyed man towered over him, tall enough for his hair to brush the clouds. The evil in his clenched grin poured out like a thick miasma that choked him as he watched Sister Mai rushing over.
He tried to scream at her to stay away but his voice was now completely cut off. Mareus now stood over himself watching the helpless child he truly was, he followed his own pleading gaze and turned to watch a young woman he recognized but couldn’t place at the moment.
She picked up a piece of a wooden beam and charged at him, her tears turning to blood as she let out a voiceless scream.
Mareus quickly searched the sky for his enemy, Where are they? Why is it so quiet?
When he looked back down his arm was through the back of the woman and he finally recognized the angry face staring daggers at him as the light left her eyes.
He watched as the giant man turned back to him and let Mai’s lifeless body fall to the ground. The crimson drenching the monster’s hand leaking and painting his own with the blood of the woman he called his big sister.
The one eyed man shot into the air and the force of the impact shook him awake.
It was easier to fight his exhaustion this time as he waited for the stranger to replace the bowl. When they replaced it this time, they lingered as if they wanted to say something. This time the anger and pain he felt didn’t let him hesitate.
“Wh-“ His dry unused voice turned into a breath. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Why…”
The effort of forcing that whisper was already difficult, he wanted to say so much more. He couldn’t tell if they were still waiting in the dark, or if they were even willing to listen. His voice was clawing to get out, he was tired of waiting.
His skin buzzed as he waited and moistened his throat. The question was out there now, at least the most important part. ‘Why?’ There was so much more racing through his mind that he could add while the presence remained silent.
Why me? What made you save me? Why didn’t you leave me with them? Why do I have to be alone?
An unseen pressure grew in the dark as his question went unanswered. It was like the chill he would get coming back late at night and he felt like something was watching him from the forest, waiting to pounce. It kept growing sharper until a sudden cool warmth touched the nape of his neck and gingerly ran down the length of his back.
A cold, yet familiar feeling voice finally broke the silence. “It would be a waste. Letting such a potential vanish from this world.”
The stranger brushed the matted hair from his neck. Their simple and straightforward gesture giving off the feeling of a beast playing with its catch knowing it could kill it at anytime.
“I feel for your loss, truly. My heart aches for the ill fate that placed those ‘experts’ in your home. I couldn’t allow your path to end because of a game between mere children.” Their voice danced between compassionate and venomous.
The gentle pressure of them rubbing his back relaxed him and Mareus became even more aware of how tired and sore his body was. Although, as they continued it felt like everything faded away. Not so much as if he was being relieved of everything, it was more like everything was being taken away and swallowed by a void that wouldn’t make him take it back.
Mareus sat up slowly and with a hoarse voice he asked. “What makes me so special?” He inhaled, “Why didn’t you stop them?!” His scream tore into his lungs and filled his throat with the taste of iron.
Water filled his eyes as he faced the disembodied presence.
The stranger gently embraced him, their cool robes enveloping him. “Poor child.”
“You could have saved all of th-em.” His trembling voice couldn’t hide the pain any longer. Still, Mareus stared through blurry eyes and did his best to look them in the face.
A thin hand brushed away his tears. “My sweet boy, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there sooner. Their battle had already moved south, and what they left behind…” They trailed off.
While wrapped in their arms he listened to the grief in their voice. Unsure of what to think anymore. Why did they wait so long? Why did they leave me here in the dark? Were they hurt too? Mareus found himself wondering if he was being selfish.
“Before I could chase after them, I sensed the faint trace of your life clinging on to any shred of hope. After digging you out and applying some emergency medicine I lost track of their energies. Instead of searching for them I made the decision to at least make sure you survived.”
Mareus realized that there was something ethereal in the way they talked. Their tone wasn’t distant, but at the same time it felt like they were a world away from him. The image of a mother apologizing for something she wasn’t responsible for popped in his mind.
His body began to feel lighter than it had been since he woke up in the cave. “Thank you.” He relented.
He gingerly wiped away his tears as if testing if his body would suddenly start listening to him. When he opened them again, the dark world that surrounded him expanded and he could now see all the way to the other wall of the cave.
Am I really not in the afterlife? He thought.
The formless shadow of his savior was replaced with a celestial fairy that stepped out from one of Elder Guo’s stories and descended into this pit to comfort him. She wore a snow white hanfu with a wide sash that hugged tightly against her. The sleeves and hem were far longer than normal like if the seamstress forgot to remove the excess material.
Her otherworldly appearance stood out against the darkness with her iridescent skin illuminating the cave. Her shadow like hair, even darker than the surroundings blackness. She looked like a master craftsman had picked the most exquisite material to craft a lifelike doll that would shatter if you looked at it the wrong way. Only to the fill that doll with the essence of deepest parts of the night sky.
Mareus completely forgot his fatigue as he collapsed into a bow and laid his head to the floor. In an attempt to imitate the older members of his village when speaking to the elders, he said. “I apologize for being so disrespectful. I humbly want to thank the generous immortal for saving this life.”
His body trembled from the effort of supporting his weight, but he continued to wait as sweat formed on the back of his neck and ran down his face. Unsure of what this heaven-like being would do to him if he had disrespected her further.
Next chapter

Hi! 25f, taking bupropion and esomeprazole (for about two months) as well as Prostap SR and leuprorelin acetate (for 2-3 years). Not using any NSAIDS or anything. About 54kg.
I had stage 4 non-hodgkin's lymphoma when I was 17. I had cancer in 6 places in my body, and I had 15 rounds of chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radiotherapy. We only found out after my lung collapsed from my biggest tumour (12cm/5" in my mediastinum), but in hindsight symptoms leading up to it were severe fatigue, rash, weight loss, night sweats, and then a terrible cough as my lungs got pressured to where they collapsed.
I discovered today that I have about 30-40 small bruises, with absolutely no explanation. I have been wracking my brain trying to think of something. They're generally all small and mild bruises, but there's just a lot of them. Mostly on my legs, but a few on my arms (including some just beginning to form in the last 12 hours) and around my hips. Front, sides, and backs of legs, both calves and thighs.
Photos (they are a bit darker in person, but they're fairly mild as you can see): https://ibb.co/album/tzXQhJ This doesn't show all of them, but just to give an idea of what they look like.
I called my local urgent care place (I'm in Norway) about 12 hours ago and asked if I should get checked urgently with my history, and they said no, but to get a blood test done asap (which will be Tuesday). Since the call, more bruises have started to form, but again they're small and mild. I wouldn't say I'm particularly prone to bruising, probably just average. This has never happened before.
I'm not aware of any major B-symptoms at present — I have lost about 5kg in the past month or two, but I do think that's more related to coming off previous medications (which affected my weight) and not eating very much due to anxiety. That said, my appetite has been poor generally. I'm not noticing much fatigue. Night sweats, a bit, but I am on antidepressants and it's been very warm here at the minute so it could be more to do with that.
How concerned should I be? Is this normal for women in their 20s? I don't know what blood cancer bruises look like — I never had them with my lymphoma. Is this abnormal?

if you’ve had exponential weight loss, or even weight gain honestly, what did you do? what’s your age and gender, what was your starting weight, your end weight, how long did that take, and what did you do to end up at that result?
my lose it tells tells me my projection to get to my goal weight which is roughly 38 pounds away should be obtained in january 2025 if i keep on this track. it made me curious what other people see or how they’ve fast tracked things, or how gradual weight really can decrease with just macro tracking. thanks in advance !

Orym, Dorian, and Chetney agreed that Otohan's blade deserved to go to Orym. As if there was clearly no better alternative than Orym wielding it or at least getting final say on what to do with it. And I don't totally agree. This has been bothering me for a couple days after rewatching the incident more carefully.
Above table, Orym is absolutely the best person to wield the blade and it would probably be a waste for no one to us it. His arguments that he doesn't have additional powers like the others is valid in character. Of course, mechanically, he was the only one consisently putting the hurt on Otohan in the last battle, too. Conflicting arguments there. In character though, I get why Orym would want it for all the reasons he stated in the episode.
For Dorian, while he's free to have an opinion and this is not a criticism of Dorian or Robbie, I don't think his thought on the matter should carry as much weight. He hadn't been there for any of the encounters with Otohan. He's clearly, and reasonably, biased towards Orym. Through no fault of his own, he just doesn't have the insight into the situation to make a proper call.
I had the biggest issue with Chetney. He said about Orym and the blade: "I agree it's his to do with as he pleases," and "He's lost more than we have." Laudna rightfully replies to Chetney not to talk to her about loss.
First, you don't compete over who has suffered more. Everyone's trauma is legitimate and you can't use a calculator to see who has "lost more."
Second, Laudna lost her life in a horrific way after being tortured, lost full autonomy of her body, full control of her will, and her home several times over. It's heavily implied she lost her whole family, too, after what the Briarwoods did in Whitestone. We could argue she even lost the basic right to die and move on naturally after Delilah brought her back the first time. If we were actually trying to calculate loss, I don't think Orym would win that anyway. The loss of his husband and father figure is truly awful, no denying that, but he still has a very loving home, community, mother, and sisters. Laudna doesn't have any of that. All she really has in the world are what she's carrying and who she is traveling with. Chetney absolutely deserved be told not to talk to her about loss. (I recognize Chetney has lost a fuckton, too, but in this case he was talking about how much Orym had lost.)
Overall, I lean towards what Ashton was feeling, as Talesin talked about in the Cool Down. And agree with some of what Laudna said, even though she was being manipulative when she said it. I'm hearing it like Ashton did, not knowing it's really Delilah twisting things: That blade killed four of them. FCG perma-died in the battle that led to them possessing it. Laudna almost permanently died, too, save for the crazy resurrection ritual. Watching Orym carry around such a blade would be a constant reminder of all that trauma. Even Imogen seemed to be agreeing with that. The shitty things Laudna/Delilah did and truly wanted in the face off don't change the legitimacy of the argument. It should not have been Orym's decision without any discussion, discounting the feelings of the others unfairly.

Hey all! I’ve been on a weight loss journey for almost a year and I’ve lost up to 17 pounds. While I’m proud of my progress, I still get discouraged and impatient. I have learned a lot through my weight loss journey, and decided to make this post pointing out a few things that I wish I knew before losing weight. Hope this helps others who feel the same way and those who are looking to start losing weight in the near future.
I wish someone informed me on how HARD it is! You go through a bunch of mental hardships and learn about how unhealthy of an eater you are. I use to think “I don’t eat that much, why am I overweight?” Welp, I prob didn’t eat much but my calorie intake was prob pretty high. Also, I wish someone informed me that nutrition is far more important than going to the gym multiple times a week. I’ve developed discipline with the gym which is great, but my eating habits need work. I’m that type of person that can’t lose weight from solely going to the gym. I definitely have to do a 180 with my diet. Lastly, I wish someone informed me of the math/science that you’ll have to do when it comes down to what you should eat. That I’d have to weigh my food and read nutrition labels to accurately track my calories. Idc what anyone says, losing weight isn’t easy. Even if you get to a point where you understand all of this stuff, it’s still not easy. It can be heavily discouraging and you have to be super patient to see results over time. Sorry for the rant but hope someone can relate.

Thoughts after finishing Dragonball Super. Spoilers ahead, stop reading if you haven't finished the series!
Biggest letdown - the final battle between Goku and Jiren
I was hoping that during their long fight, they would have some back and forth dialogue where Jiren really questioned Goku's endless and insatiable drive for more battles and more power. I think there was a good setup before the battle royale started where a lot of other universes blamed Goku for the fact that most of them would be wiped from existence, and there was room there for Goku to be seen as the villain by everyone but his own friends. It would be a unique story angle for the pure-hearted Goku to be questioned harshly like that. Goku could have redeemed himself in everyone's eyes by the end, which would have made for an interesting character arc.
I wanted Jiren to say something like, "I fight for justice, Goku! Is what you have done truly just? Look at the countless lives that are laid at your feet for disrespecting the gods and getting all the universes caught in this ridiculous battle! All because YOU are excited to fight. Goku, your insatiable drive for battle has cost unfathomable losses, how can you justify yourself??"
Goku could have had some deep self-reflection, which could be what triggered his Autonomous Ultra Instinct. Him realizing that he needs to let go of the Saiyan battle-lust and tap into his instincts, letting go of everything. He could realize that he has gotten so powerful it tears at the fabric of reality when he fights, and that in addition to his lust for battle, he needs to find a deep internal responsibility over his own power in order to truly protect his loved ones and the multiple universes at stake.
I didn't like how they spent so much time building Jiren up only to have his character developed by a quick exposition dump with a throwaway story and a "Might Makes Right" mindset. I feel like they just threw Jiren away. Jiren could have been seen as the fighter with purer intentions if they just changed up his story. I wanted to see Jiren standing on the high ground, able to say that he had fought for power to maintain justice and order in his universe, to preserve and promote peace, and that the result was that the people of his universe were ultimately happier and safer than those in Goku's universe. That high ground of strength, power, and moral value could have been the place Goku reached for and ultimately overcame!
Favorite parts
*I loved how the battle royale was ultimately a test of virtue for all the universes. It fits in really well with the god-realm aspects of the story and facing the judgment of gods!
*I like how the format of a battle royale gave a lot of the characters their own moments to shine in battle. It came off a little gimmicky at times, but I loved seeing how hard everyone fought for each other. I think Master Roshi was one of my favorites, seeing him give his all and fight himself near to death (despite being only a human) to protect his home universe was awesome. I also loved the Saiyan interactions, Goku and Vegeta helping out the young Saiyans from the other universe was so fun, and seeing Goku getting his ass nearly handed to him by two female Saiyans was exciting.
*The intro song during the Battle Royale arc!! NGL, "I've got a strength deep in my soul that gives me courage and control," got me pumped every time. I sang along every time!
*Some of the final battle animation, especially with Goku and Frieza side by side, was absolutely sick.
*I love that Goku wasn't the one who saved the day, ultimately. I thought this series was so great for letting everyone else have moments to shine and having Android 18 be the reluctant hero was nice to see.
*I liked to see Frieza slowly come around through the series, and Golden Frieza, along with Frieza getting his own musical theme was pretty neat. He was a great baddie and it was nice to have him back. I love how in Dragonball, baddies just can't help but become Goku's friend in the end.
Less-than-favorite parts
*The tone of the entire series felt a little corny which was a struggle at times.
*Furry universe and Magical Girl universe
*The wild swings in animation quality, but then again, that's very typical for Dragonball so not expecting much there. Also I prefer the DBZ animation techniques with different line weights, a more handcrafted feel, and overall more consistent and better-looking animation.
*Some of the outro songs sounded like they belonged in a preschool class. Their tone was ... weird.

Hey hey. Might be a long post but TLDR is at the end 😅 I’ve been lurking this subreddit today and have gotten so inspired, and it’s overwhelming the world of weight loss.
My partner and I (27F) signed up for a membership at the YMCA 2 weeks ago and have gone 5 days a week each week. I’ve been following a workout plan, I’ve been sweating and working out hardcore. Properly exhausting myself everyday. We plan on sticking with this schedule. For me it works because I can do laps in the pool on my rest days and still actually get some movement in for the day. This is all good, and feels natural and sustainable to me, so no problems with gym life. I track my steps with a smartwatch and I hit nearly 20,000 steps a day everyday because I work in a bakery and am always running around.
The kicker is I’ve gained weight in these last 2 weeks. 4lbs to be exact, and I’m tracking my food in MyFitnessPal so I can stay on top of food in general and I eat a very healthy diet which is the most surprising thing when people see me, and hear that I actually eat extremely healthy food. I have no fear of basic plain salad (it’s my favourite actually), salmon, plain chicken & rice is what I have for dinner most nights, and I drink a vegan smoothie just about everyday. I have low fat greek yogurt for snacks, and I hit my recommended protein intake very easily (which for me is about 150g a day). My issue is calories, the amount of food is the problem.I was never taught portion control. My mother and grandmother were both morbidly obese, and I was always taught to clean my plate spotless because we grew up poor so there was no wasting food. I didn’t take this way of thinking with me into adulthood thankfully, but I do add more than I should to my plate - even if it is extra salad or whatever. I’m also not a huge fan of desserts & sweet foods aside from fruit.
I’m teaching myself portion control but having an extremely hard time figuring out how much to eat if I’m 6 feet tall and almost 300lbs. TDEE recommends such a high intake (like 3,500 cals being my maintenance which is wildly inaccurate for me… ummm) that I just doubt I’d lose any weight, but people swear by this calculator! My current caloric intake sits at around 2,000 typically based on what I’ve been tracking the last 2 weeks, and yet I’ve gained weight. I am just so confused and looking for any recommendations or resources that you have used to calculate these things. Also recommendations on high protein, and super low calorie meals because ya girl is in need.
I know there are likely hormonal imbalances and metabolic problems that I have that contribute to this issue but, I just feel a bit hopeless trying to race the calorie counter while also getting the macro requirements for the day. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, and when I was 19 I lost 100lbs by restriction and feel like I made many mistakes over the last 8 years with my diet, and lifestyle eading to some issues internally possibly.
TLDR; My partner & I joined the gym, we workout very hard, I eat very healthy food, but 2,000 calories for my body (female, 6 foot tall & 300lbs) causes me to gain even more weight. TDEE is not a good resource for me, looking for other recommendations as well as high protein low calorie meals! 🙂

Hey guys! So I’m new to the whole weight loss stuff. I’ve been tracking my calorie intake, changing my bad habits, & now going to the gym. I’ve ordered some low cal protein powder to try and I’ll get it tomorrow but my question is, has anyone tried oolong tea? Like for boosting metabolism?
For reference, I am 27, 5’10”, CW is 168 I’ve had 2 c sections and my main goal is to just slim down the “shelf” as best as I can and just feel healthier.
Any advice would be great (: I’ve never felt like I needed to work out until now (silly I know)

https://imgur.com/a/J5XnSpk
Finally got off my butt and did my WFA recert for the first time in (way too long, like since scouts). Everyone always says once you have the training you carry less stuff but I found the opposite. I finished the course realizing "damn, long term wound management is resource intensive even for minor injuries" but I think I've got enough here to not be seriously wanting for anything. weight is 175g.
General

• 4" flat fold elastic wrap. I really need to get a vacuum sealer so I can make these on my own. more expensive than a standard packaging ACE but dang it's so much more compact
  
• Gloves
  
• Roller Gauze
  

FOOTCARE

• Uncle Bills Sliver Grippers
  
• Nail Clippers
  
• Moleskin 3x kidneys
  
• Molefoam 1x sheet (this stuff is amazing for building up around blisters)
  
• Tegederm
  

GOO

• 1x Poison Ivy wipe (unnecessary if you carry soap I guess, but I don't.)
  
• 2x Antibiotic ointment, mostly for footcare
  
• 1x Diphenhydramine ointment for bugbites
  
• 1x hydrocortizone for bugbites/rashes
  

MEDS

• 2x Tylenol for fever
  
• 4x Diamode cus ya boi got IBS
  
• 2x Benadryl for major allergies
  
• 8x Motrin
  
• 2x baby Asprin
  

BOOBOO

• 2x Small bandaid
  
• 2x Medium Bandaid
  
• 2x Large Bandaid
  
• 1x Steristrips (pack of 3) for moderate wounds
  
• 1x Dermabond (Don't seal deep wounds, but this can be good for sealing skinned knees/elbows if you're crossing water or something else gross)
  
• 1x Transparent dressing
  
• 2x Gauze pads
  

I went with transparent dressing since it doesn't need to be changed every 12hrs like a regular bandage, so a smaller moderate wound could be stabilized with steristrips and covered in transparent dressing and be good for 3-5 days (long enough to start healing properly or get out of the woods) while allowing me to monitor it without wasting any supplies
Stuff that's not shown:

• My dorky bandana with the scene assessment and patient history system on it
  
• Garmin InReach
  
• RitR notebook and golf pencil
  
• Duct tape on my hiking pole.
  
• I'll also usually keep a CAT TQ tucked in my thigh pocket if I'm doing anything with a fall risk or in an area where people do gun stuff, because improvising TQs sucks. Yeah you can do it in a pinch but you aren't getting a belt TQ or DIY windlass cinched down before you black out in 60-90s.
  

Stuff I feel like I'm missing but I don't want to make it bulky/heavier

• A tick key, this is the only thing on the list I might add. I have one in my bigger kit and its amazing.
  
• 1x More Roller gauze, tegederm, transparent dressing and gloves. If something starts getting infected and I have to start repeatedly cleaning and warm soaking, I don't have a lot of stuff here to redress effectively.
  
• A small burn pad like second-skin. They're amazing for scalding burns (like... fucking up with your stove), but they're heavy
  
• Triangle bandage: Really bulky, but much easier to use than clothing for splinting and bracing
  
• A second ACE wrap
  
• Irrigation syringe: I carry smart waterbottles so I could put a pinhole in the cap to use for irrigation, if you use nalgenes or something similar you won't have an efficient way to presurize water for cleaning wounds.
  
• Tincture of Benzoin for helping stuff stick to the foot, small, might be worth adding for 5g.
  

I've also got a larger ~750g kit that has more of everything and more trauma stuff that I take (hunting, shooting, climbing, or with groups of friends where I'm "the first aid guy"), but that definitely wouldn't qualify for this sub lmao.
Note: the 4 digit stickers are for an excel spreadsheet where I track everythings location (car firstaid kit, hunting kit, backpacking kit etc), expiration dates and inspection intervals. I'm a nerd. If you think this is bad, I strongly considered a barcode system...
Thoughts?
Edit:
Budget: (Anything reasonable)
Weight: 175g
Goal weight: unknown
Looking to: Either add things I missed, upgrade/make subsitutions for efficiency, or remove things if they're really dumb but I don't think there's any capabilities that I'm willing to sacrifice unless there's just a better way to do them
Use: backpacking and dayhikes (solo). 80% self care, 20% being able to provide good-samaritan first aid within my scope of practice (NOLS WFA, not a professional)

If you're considering the keto diet for weight loss, here are some tips to help you get started and stay on track:

1. Understand Keto Basics: The ketogenic diet focuses on high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake. Typically, you’ll aim for 70-75% of your calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, and 5-10% from carbs.
2. Plan Your Meals: Meal planning is crucial on keto. Stock up on keto-friendly foods like avocados, eggs, fatty fish, meat, cheese, nuts, and low-carb vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale, broccoli).
3. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. The keto diet can have a diuretic effect, so it’s important to stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes. Consider adding a pinch of salt to your water or drinking broth.
4. Monitor Your Carb Intake: Keep your daily carb intake under 20-50 grams to enter and maintain ketosis. Use apps or food diaries to track your carb consumption accurately.
5. Include Healthy Fats: Focus on healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, and nuts. Avoid trans fats and highly processed oils.
6. Watch for Hidden Carbs: Be aware of hidden carbs in foods like sauces, dressings, and certain dairy products. Always check labels and ingredient lists.
7. Electrolyte Balance: Ensure you get enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium to avoid the “keto flu” (symptoms like headache, fatigue, and irritability). Incorporate foods rich in these electrolytes or take supplements if necessary.
8. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds to the diet. Some may experience a period of adjustment, known as the keto flu, but it usually passes in a few days.
9. Exercise Regularly: Combine the keto diet with regular physical activity. Both resistance training and cardio can enhance your weight loss and improve overall health.
10. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to achieving and maintaining ketosis. Avoid cheat days as they can knock you out of ketosis and set back your progress.
11. Educate Yourself: Read up on keto and join keto communities for support and recipe ideas. There’s a wealth of information out there to help you succeed.
12. Consult a Professional: Before starting the keto diet, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Remember, the keto diet is a significant change from typical eating habits, so give yourself time to adapt. Stay patient, stay informed, and you’ll see the benefits in no time!
Good luck, and feel free to share your own tips or ask questions below!

Family Matters was a great track. It gave me similar vibes to “Against All Odds.” It was his Tony Montana moment, shooting at everyone with his best work all at once so he can end the beef. His red button.
However, this song was not good enough to end this beef, as Drake might have hoped. Nor was it the best diss track in this battle. People are giving it too much love, which is fine, but there are fundamental issues that can't make it better than other songs in the battle.
This track for as great as it is, lacks in a few components:
1. This song was never gonna end the beef. Since it dropped as a reply to Euphoria/6:16, it temporarily giving Drake an advantage before Kendrick replied. So it could never be that red button that ends the battle cause Kendrick wouldn't allow it
"How many more do I got in stock, 1 2 3 4 5 plus 5."

• If we are to believe Kendrick, he was not only gonna reply but he was bound to have the last word in this battle.

2. Drake dropping this song as a REPLY to Euphoria was mismanaging the battle, and a poor strategic move. If Family Matters was one of the last songs on the beef, then Drake could have won, no doubt about it. Or at least shifted the tide.

• Easy to say it in retrospect, but I think Drake should have kept it only about bars here. He brought up the Whitney/Dave Free accusations too soon. Drake's initial reply to Dot was "I'm that guy, I'm the biggest," so Dot replied with "yeah but you also a bigger bitch." Drake should have dissected Kendrick right back, play into those emotional battles, asking why Kendrick is so mad.

3. The song itself is inconsistent and while it does hit hard at Kendrick, it doesn’t have anything to stick. The entire first verse is invalidated by the false claims that it makes.
Gonna dissect some of the bars as an example.
"You know who really bang a set? My nigga YG You know who even bang a set out there is CB"

• Calling out Kendrick for DV, but shouting out Chris Brown in the same track? Also shortly after "Not Like Us" dropped, YG reposted on his IG story and showed support.

"Always rappin' like you 'bout to get the slaves freed You just actin' like an activist, it's make-believe Don't even go back to your hood and plant no money trees"

• Even ignoring the first line being a questionable bar from Drake, the second part is a blatant lie. Anyone who follows Kendrick knows this.
  "Why you never hold your son and tell him, "Say cheese"? We could've left the kids out of this, don't blame me"
  
• I know that ain't who I think it is
  

The second and third verses really are the meat of this track. Some of Drake's best work tbh. But even that had a couple of bars that have aged badly.
"What the fuck I heard Rick drop, nigga? Talkin' somethin' 'bout a nose job, nigga Ozempic got a side effect of jealousy and doctor never told y'all niggas"

• Doesn't really hit the same with the images that got leaked about Drake using ozempic for the weight loss.

"K-Dot shit is only hittin' hard when Baby Keem put his pen to it"

• I'd like to believe that Drake is talking about Keem writing GKMC/TPAB, which is funny as fuck lol. Imagine Keem writing TPAB at 13. Crazy. But it was obvious he's referencing Dot's work from 2021 onward. And again, this is just not true. Also hypocritical coming from Mr Ghostwriter himself.

"A cease and desist is for hoes, can't listen to lies that come out of your mouth"

• An email surfaced of OVO's team trying to get the track off radio play, which was then reposted by Metro himself. Another bar that doesn't hit the same now.

"Your back is up against the curb, you diggin' for dirt, should be diggin' for proof"

• This one is a bit controversial, but Kendrick already did address this on Euphoria, saying "Why would I call around tryna get dirt on niggas? Y'all thinkin' my life is rap?" But at the same time, Meet the Grahams does kind of support Drake's claim as well. I'll leave this one up to your interpretation.

4. The replies to Family Matters with "meet the grahams", was a strategical masterclass. With everyone online buzzing about what Drake had dropped, he picked a perfect time and a perfect song to reply with.

• If Drake's game is numbers/views and public perception, then Kendrick got him back hard. All the streamers on to react to this, with information that is just as harmful to Drake as it is to Kendrick.

"Your back is up against the curb, you diggin' for dirt, should be diggin' for proof"

• If I am to believe Drake, then it's another misstep in his battle. If Family Matters is true, and Drake team had really given Kendrick fake info, there's no reason why they should have lobbed Kendrick a reply to diss your red button. You had to dead that the same day. But Drake replied confirming the fake info 2 days later on THP6. It makes no sense.
• For this reason and the post online from Ebony, IMO Drake did NOT have an OVO mole.

5. BBL Drizzy/Not Like Us completely lost the battle and sent Drake into retreat mode.

• Not Like Us is charting #1 in the US right now. Top song of the summer. Kendrick played Drake's own game and beat him with it, while also maintaining his lyrical best in Euphoria/6:16
• Troll game is now against Drake with BBL Drizzy too, which IMO was a great move from Metro too.
• One underrated aspect was that with Push Ups, everyone EXCEPT Kendrick could not reply cause fans did not care. Rick Ross sent a diss, and people didn't care. Kanye "Yo Dot I got you," we didn't care. ASAP ain't even reply. Metro was told to shut up and make drums, I thought he would be finished too. But the way he actually LISTENED TO DRAKE, and turned it against him? Honestly play of the series right there.

I'm sure someone on the other side will do the same with the other songs, and they should. I would very much like to see it too, cause Kendrick also got some bars that ain't age well. But with that said, while Family Matters was a great track in my opinion, it wasn't enough in this battle.

So I’ll be playing with my partner. I do have a few concerns because of limitations in other games in a similar genre:

1. Are the crafting skills actually functional? For example, Plum Grove has cooking but none of the foods actually do much and you can just stick to basics. I love cooking in these types of games so is cooking just for fun or can they increase traits and make a different in gameplay?
   
2. How does the game balance so many features? I see crafting, professions, races, farming, combat- which is amazing but what worries me is whether all these aspects are actually fleshed out or is this a “has everything but excels at nothing” type of thing?
   
3. Does one person host the game? Not a dealbreaker for me but if I start the game and my partner joins me, I imagine he can’t play if I’m not logged on?
   

Thank you! My biggest worry is spending $50 to buy us both copies and it turns into a one-track game that boasts having all these features. I like games where he is good to go off and play what he likes that day (for example, farming) while I forage and cook.

I wanted to share some weight loss tips that have helped me on my journey. These strategies focus on sustainable habits rather than quick fixes:

1. Balanced Diet: Aim for a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid extreme diets; they are often not sustainable.
2. Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes. It’s easy to overeat even healthy foods. Use smaller plates and listen to your body's hunger cues.
3. Stay Hydrated: Sometimes, thirst is mistaken for hunger. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and help control your appetite.
4. Regular Exercise: Incorporate both cardio and strength training exercises into your routine. Find activities you enjoy, whether it's walking, cycling, dancing, or lifting weights.
5. Sleep Well: Lack of sleep can disrupt your metabolism and increase cravings. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
6. Mindful Eating: Pay attention to what you eat and avoid distractions like TV or smartphones during meals. This can help you enjoy your food more and recognize when you’re full.
7. Consistency Over Perfection: Consistency is key. Don’t get discouraged by occasional slip-ups. Focus on making healthier choices most of the time rather than striving for perfection.
8. Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use an app to track your food intake, exercise, and progress. It can provide insights and keep you motivated.
9. Seek Support: Join a community, find a workout buddy, or talk to a professional like a dietitian or a personal trainer. Support can make a big difference.
10. Be Patient: Remember, weight loss is a gradual process. Aim for a steady, healthy rate of loss (1-2 pounds per week).

Hope these tips help! Stay motivated and take it one step at a time. You've got this!
Feel free to share your own tips and experiences below.

23rd: Jane Bright (Nicaragua - 6th)

A deserving, incredible Survivor endgame level character standing next to Jane Bright.
u/SMC0629:
I don't have Jane in my personal endgame, but I'm not mad at all that she made it here. She's probably the most divisive character in Nicaragua, but I personally love her. She's got a spunky attitude, has a great rivalry with Marty, great relationship with Chase, and has one of my favorite eliminations ever. Her boot is so god damn memorable, that lasting moment of the alliance telling her it's gonna be her tonight, with Jane in complete shock and despair is just perfect. One of the best characters of Nicaragua for sure.
~
u/DryBonesKing:
Jane is on a very small list of players who I think has run the entire spectrum in terms of where they land in my rankings. Top ten, top hundred, middle of the pack, bottom hundred, bottom ten… I think I understand pretty much every Jane take known to humanity, cause I’ve had them. Nowadays, I tend to lean more positive on her, but I definitely still have too many issues I’m hyper aware of to let her rank too highly for me.
“What if we have Rupert’s hero edit to someone who was just really really mean, and did the bare minimum to hide it” is genuinely hilarious to me. Jane’s got good energy and her many, many, many feuds (the majority of which being with Marty) make her a great character to guide the narrative. There’s also just her boot episode, which is like… way too good of an episode for Nicaragua. I think I’m neutral-lean positive on Nicaragua, but it’s not a season that does a ton for me, but dear god, Jane’s boot and the scene of her dousing the camp fire is like so fucking metal.
She’s such a raw, powerful person. I think my biggest issue with her right now is just that, in a similar vein to Brandon Hantz, sometimes she feels a little too real at times. Like is she funny when she’s talking shit about Marty? Yes! Is the story great? Yes! But does some of what she says about Marty and his kids feel a bit too much? Yes, very much so. It’s not enough to detract from her character, but again… Brandon Hantz-tier of character. For me, that’s a pretty big compliment, but I also do not keep him in my Top 100. Same with Jane. But despite being one of the names that made Endgame that I disagree with the most, I am very curious and excited to see our resident “Least Sane Jane Bright Enjoyer” spin a tale or two about why she deserves to be up here!
Overall Rank – 138/821
~
u/Zanthosus:
While I disagree with her being endgame, I understand the reasoning and defense behind it. I respect the hustle that Tom did to get her here and I’m happy for him that Jane made her first endgame.
~
u/Regnisyak1:
I love that Jane is here, I am not even going to lie. Before my recent rewatch, I had Jane in the 200s, and after my rewatch, I was completely blown away at how complex her character is and the great relationships she had all season. To me, she felt real with her hatred, and the switch between the dry laugh we know her for, to the nasty person she became was endlessly incredible, she was such a great part of Nicaragua and one of the few praises I have for that season. Plus, when she finds out Chase, Holly, and Sash are voting for her, the music change and piano chord that happens there might be the piece media I have ever seen. Congrats Tom for getting her here!
Personal Rank: 73/821. 9/10.
~
u/ninjedi1:
Nicaragua is such a great season due to how emotionally charged it is, and Jane is a big part of that. Jane is the sweet southern lady until she feels crossed, then she has a whole vendetta against anyone who crosses her, so it's a lot of great fun. She is not in my personal endgame, but I can always appreciate a kooky character showing up in it.
~~~~~
u/Tommyroxs45:
Jane Bright:
This is undoubtedly my most anticipated write up of the rankdown, I have such a love for Jane and everything she does for Nicaragua. She has one of the best stories of all time, and just has so many moments that further it and make it cohesive. And that is what I will explain today. Jane is not just some badass southern old lady, ok well she is, but she’s also a very deep, broken old lady trying to put on a facade for herself. Her hatred towards everyone around her has its story and here it is…
The Mask
A lot like Rupert, Jane tries to paint a mask on herself as a hero and somebody who always follows her heart for the greater good. However, throughout the season we see cracks start to arise in this persona she puts on herself. She’s someone who needs a purpose and when somebody gets in the way of that, she gets insecure and bitter and that’s when we see the wrath of Jane break out.
The editors never try to pull the wool over your eyes by painting her as a hero, because they show petty rivalries with her and Marty and her boot episode meltdown. We get to see her from all angles, even if she only wants to present one. She’s insecure about herself, making her feel entitled to be treated as a queen and carried to the end due to her “heroic” manner. Once she realizes it doesn’t work like that and she actually has to play the game, all gloves come off and we get some of the most petty, uncalled for, or even bitchy moments that just have so much raw emotion.
She’s not painted as a hero while being an asshole (*cough* Ozzy *cough*) They show her as her flawed self, but they also let you make your own decision on what to feel without pushing a narrative onto you. Of course she wins Favorite Player at the reunion, so some people still thought she was a hero but you get to see this very broken and entitled person struggling. She really hates everyone but that’s not what she can show because that’s now who she wants to be and it’s such a complicated story arc throughout the season that we see the cracks grow and it’s told so subtlety but perfectly. And this is only the tip of the iceberg with how deep this old southern lady is.
Without this defining feature, she’d just be a badass southern lady but with it she becomes so much more just adding to this brilliant story building up all season until her boot episode. Her masking her real personality just makes her a much more complex character and when we see these glimpses of it, you start to realize, ohhh this is the person I’m supporting.
Even on top of the mask, there is so much more to Jane’s character…
Grief
When you watch Nicaragua for the first time, this part of her character is not inherently obvious. Grief?!? What are you talking about? She just seems like a badass until she’s a bitter old hag for being the target. While, yes that’s a very simplified version of this, there’s so much more to dissect there. The grieving of her husband, greatly plays a role in her story, and although it’s sometimes subtle you can see how it play into it so beautifully well.
In her very first confessional, what do we see Jane say?
“They think I'm some middle aged housewife that tootles around the house all day long, they’re in for a big surprise. Because that is definitely not me. I'm fifty-six years old and I'm the type person that stays busy all the time doing things. I just don't think there's anything I can't do. Winning the million dollars is real important to me ‘cause it’ll help me pay off my farm and the fact that I lost my husband, uh, in '09, it-it-it means I wouldn't have to work as hard as I do. But his spirit, I know is still with me and that's what keeps me going.”
Her husband obviously is impacting her mentally during this season, and we see this throughout the game. Every Time somebody makes a gesture that they want her out, her personal viper just breaks out. This is because she knows this is getting in the way of her dream, and the spirit of her husband that made her want to do this and she’s not letting anybody take that from her.
She’s still grieving and wants to win for her husband, and it is a very sweet story but sadly it takes a dark turn as she starts using this as entitlement for her to win. She believes she’s obligated to be brought to the end because of who she is and the loss of her husband and yeah, it’s dark but damn is it good when you think about it.
This is also why the family visit is SO important to her story in her boot episode. Right when her daughter, Ashley gets there, she starts talking about her husband and how Ashley is the one she is doing this for, to help her. This is WHO SHE IS FIGHTING FOR!
That is why it hits so hard when everyone flips on her! How dare they! She thinks. These people are voting me out right after I fought my hardest to give my daughter a better life?!? She’s one of the only I have left, this is disgusting. It’s so sad but at the same time it’s brilliantly shown not told. And what do you know, when Jane is talking about Sash’s mama raising him, she immediately brings up her daughter, just ugh how perfect does it round back to her family and her grief with loss.
Now obviously, does that make her outrage justified, I don’t know, maybe? Is she still kind of a bitch? probably! Is she a badass? Probably! That leads me to my next point.
Perspective
If you have read a lot of my other writeups on Nicaragua you would have noticed I love to talk about the perspective a lot of these characters receive on the season. Complimenting how diverse they can be seen depending on your morals or values. No character represents this better than Jane Bright.
How do I know this? Well let’s look at her placements in Rankdowns Past:
SRI - 485/501 - Seen as a bitchy, entitled, worse version of NaOnka, and someone who went way too personal in the game.
SRII - 455/537 - Seen as annoying and sour, forced fan favorite edit not giving her the trashing she deserved by the other tribemates.
SRIII - 549/575 - Seen as a narcissist and self-righteous, below the belt remarks and “a human embodiment of a rash” (that made me laugh a bit).
SRIV - 518/615 - Seen as an ultimately fascinating character, who got a dishonest edit that didn’t show her true side until the end. Ultimately ending up as an unlikable “venomous bitch” who somehow won fan favorite.
SRV - 108/653 - Seen as a great T.V personality whose kooky first half and vigorous 2nd half make for a good story and uplifts everyone around her while also being a great character.
SRVI - 127/731 (Had to be idoled to get here though smh) - Seen as a badass challenge competitor who is actually sour, who unfairly attacked Marty and is a bit too much when it comes to her toxic side to make her slightly less good.
SRVII - 185/767 - Seen as an extremely authentic personality and very entertaining to the chaos of Nicaragua, as well as having an iconic rivalry with Marty, being an iconic mother.
See the difference between one half and the other? Yeah, that shows just how well of a character she is edited as. She has so many times where she is shown to be a hero but juxtaposed with so many times she is shown as an asshole and it works off each scene perfectly. This is why we get such a difference of opinion and I think it’s told so well to where most people don’t even see it.
You have to weigh her good and bad and see based on your morals, if she’s a good person or not, and how acceptable or right was she for her constant hatred of others? I really love that as they aren’t trying to make you think a specific feeling about her. You need to come up with that conclusion yourself on how you think she is, that’s why she won the fan favorite vote in 2011 but today many call her an entitled bitch. (And yeah, she is but that’s a lot of what makes her so amazing).
Her kicking ass in challenges and being a lively spirit contrasted to her nasty demeanor to Jill and especially Marty personally attacking them and her boot episode meltdown, contribute to making one of the most wishy-washy characters when it comes to people’s opinions on her. I don’t what to be told how to feel, I want to come up with it on my own, and I feel like a lot of that has been lost in recent years of Survivor and seeing Jane and having all these different perspectives on her personality just adds so much life.
There is a reason why so many people despise her and so many people love her, she’s just edited that well to where people have had to come up with their own feelings about Jane. Not being coerced to feel a certain way, and I feel that is the best way to edit a character. What you see is what you see, not an objective stance the show is trying to put onto you, and I feel all of Nicaragua shows this but Jane is the prime example. Perspective means everything with her.
This makes her one of the most complex characters of all time, she’s either a broken woman seeking admiration, an entitled bitch, or a badass southern lady who is an inspiration. It’s all based on what you value and isn’t that what Survivor is all about, a social experiment where you weigh your values and personalities with each other to build a society.
Speaking of building a society, how is Jane’s relationships with the cast, well let’s see her main stars:
Sash: Jane and Sash’s dynamic isn’t really shown and I think that actually helps her and Sash’s story. Sash is sleazy and doesn’t really make any genuine connections and we see that in her breakdown scene. When you watch the moment she learns she’s going home and the confessional she gives, you see a direct tone shift from how she talks about Chase and how she talks about Sash. When she’s almost crying about Chase and his betrayal, she is outright vile and nasty when talking about Sash. Showing this major lack of connection between them, that she never saw him as a friend and will not hold back from releasing her rage on him.
Chase: Jane and Chase’s connection is one for the books. Both being from North Carolina and being southern types, they instantly bond and feel close to each other. Their relationship just feels more special than anyone else’s that season, that’s what makes the betrayal so much more entertaining. You literally see her about to cry over Chase, they really were close and got to know each other and just to have him stab her in the back, it’s so good. It just felt special but it wasn’t enough for him to not cut her…
Now how could you talk about relationships and not bring up Jane’s defining one…
Fartay:
Come on! This rivalry is one of if not the best rivalry in all of Survivor. They just despise each other and really are either of them in the right? Not at all, that’s what makes it so great. Marty’s a sleazeball, cocky, and a smart ass while Jane’s an entitled, bitter, old lady and they just work so well off each other. You just have personal jab after personal jab that is just so entertaining and perfectly helps tell Jane’s story.
There is really no reason why they should hate each other as much as they do but their walks of life and personalities just clash so hard that you still understand why they hate each other. Jane takes everything Marty does to heart without any grain of salt, and it makes her reactions so visceral and truly legendary. It’s what makes Jane the Jane we love to love or love to hate!
Now, I think it’s time to talk about the pinnacle of Jane. Her magnum opus if you will… her boot episode.
The Wrath of Jane Will Break Out Tonight
This is one of my favorite episodes of Reality TV. Everything about it is perfect and told in such a way to where it’s the perfect ending for such a broken character.
Building her up with her daughter coming during the family visit, talking about her and how much she wants to provide for her. Having a seed planted in Jane’s brain after she’s not taken to the reward thinking she was entitled to be brought.
Fabio winning immunity, throwing everything for a loop, just when Jane’s attitude has really started to shift and then we get to the scene. Which personally is my favorite scene in all of Survivor without a doubt. The scene where the alliance tells her it has changed and she’s going home is so brilliant. The raw awkwardness and silence next to Jane’s utter disbelief and anger. After she flips them off it is followed by again my favorite confessional of all time.
This is what she has been building up to, everything just falls about when she believed she deserved to win. Having such raw and unfiltered emotions where she’s about to break down and cry and then the turn to anger and fury bringing Sash’s mother into it, talking about how she raised a damn liar. (WITH THAT HEAD COCK THOUGH) All with very subtle sound effects or just no music at all until she gets up and makes one last hoorah by pouring water on the fire. “I started and I put it out” 🔥🔥🔥
Then we get to tribal, where Jane is just done with the bullshit and just calls everyone out for being liars and backstabbers. “The writings on the wall Fabio!” Like come on, that is TV gold, followed by the vote having Chase and Sash “cowardly” play their idols sticking it to Jane when she is already at her lowest by not even having her vote count. She leaves bitter and broken, not the happy ending she felt she deserved.
Mortgage Gate
I’m putting this here because that’s where it best fits, and this is brief because it doesn’t really affect my rankings on Jane because it’s not in the season.
I wish they did show this though, as having this added layer of controversy between Sash and Jane with real world implications would have been amazing, even if what Jane is saying isn’t true it still would’ve shown her as an ass, making up lies just to make someone look worse. I just think it’s such an interesting topic to discuss that I wanted to give it its own section. Sash is sleazy so I wouldn’t pass him to do that, however Jane is extremely bitter and entitled so I could also see her making that up, I guess we'll never really know will we… (I know Marty called the incident fake, but it’s Marty, of course he’s gonna dispute whatever Jane says, if she says the sky is blue, he’ll say it’s orange).
I'm Not Breaking My Tile!
This kind of relates to the mask section of this write up. However, I wanted to talk specifically about Jane’s challenge prowess and wins throughout the season and how much it adds to this arc. Building her up as this badass figure competing against big guys half her age and actually winning?!? It gives an excellent face to the real Jane, having this much courage to go against Chase and Fabio even after winning, not only being such a badass in that moment but showing how she’s trying to play up this persona of old challenge great.
Jane, The Tribe Has Spoken
So in conclusion, you can see that when you really glance over Nicaragua you don’t see Jane as some sort of deep character. However, when you really look into her and her actions and motives you see a broken old lady who is obviously grieving. She is such a deep and complex character that Nicaragua needed to really round out the story.
Jane isn’t supposed to be this likable hero, nor is she supposed to be a villain, she’s not edited as one archetype. However you value your morals, is how you will see Jane and even if you find her an ass, you have to admit they tell it very well. She’s also objectively entertaining, her rivalry with Marty, her being badass during challenges, cooking fish in the woods, her boot episode meltdown, and so much more are just so iconic to me and make this season what it is.
This write up obviously won’t sway everybody, but I hope that if you rewatch Nicaragua, take a closer look at Jane and her actions and see how it lines up with somebody like Rupert or Coach who are much more prevalent when it comes to these “entitled, broken, facade” archetypes. You will see a brilliant story of grief, hatred, entitlement, and a fake persona that the show knows she is trying to present.
Personally, Jane will always be one of my favorite characters of all time with amazing scenes and a story almost as complex as Ian’s. She didn’t win this rankdown, but she won my heart and has definitely earned herself a #1 spot on my rankings for this endgame.
SMC0629: 19
DryBonesKing: 21
Zanthosus: 24
Tommyroxs45: 1
Regnisyak1: 20
DavidW1208: 24
ninjedi1: 24
Average Placement: 19.000
Total Points: 133
Standard Deviation: 8.206 (2nd Highest)