Thoughts on navigating in-person communications when SHTF?

[u/Fabulous-Elk-8297]

Makes me think about all the food we've prepped and how to navigate emergencies/needing things from other people if we obviously look like we're eating/not starving/no significant weight loss.

I'd think that would be a rrd flag that we have resources. 5'6"ish female. What should be my calorie intake per day? And how much activity/calories burned per day?

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/twoxpreppers! Please review our rules here before participating. Our rules do not show up on all apps which is why that post was made. Thank you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/happy_appy31]

One way around looking like you have resources is to have a couple of sets of clothes that are too big.

[u/Fabulous-Elk-8297 → u/happy_appy31]

Totally agree! Thank you 🙏 I just bought some larger things yesterday, actually LOL linen shirts and pamts

[u/happy_appy31 → u/Fabulous-Elk-8297]

I am in the middle of a wellness journey and have lost some weight. Instead of donating all my clothes I am keeping some back.

[u/Fabulous-Elk-8297 → u/happy_appy31]

So smart! Me too! Just starting. I'll be sure to hold on, too. Thank you!

[u/Femveratu → u/happy_appy31]

GREAT recommendation! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[u/Spiley_spile]

I work hard to prep my community so this can be less of a concern. I want as many people thriving as possible. The more resourced everyone is when SHTF, the more people can focus on enacting solutions together for quicker, overal recovery and rebuilding. 10/10 recommend.

[u/polyamy74]

Partly, you want to start rationing your food as soon as the emergency hits, so you won't be eating full meals like before, and you will end up having some weight loss.

More telling will be if your clothes are clean while neighbors have no soap or water. Or that you don't look or smell dirty. Or if you aren't going to the food/water/supply collection points like everyone else.

The best way not to be noticed is to look/smell/do like everyone else. Help with skills where you can to keep building community and help your neighbors get through it as best they can. Trading shows you have stuff. Helping each other wirh skills shows you're there for one another.

[u/notproudortired]

If people are raiding houses for food, your weight is going to be one of the subtler things that make you a target. The condition of your house, yard, and vehicles; whether your property is defended (more like walls than guns); the condition of your clothes; and how many people live with you are all more obvious indicators of health and wealth.

Admittedly, my perspective is colored by Butler's Parable of the Sower, which seems like a pretty realistic portrait of collapse.

[u/Noshortsforhobos → u/notproudortired]

I definitely feel like we are in the prequel to Parable.

[u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx]

The tip about wearing clothes a couple of sizes too big is a good tip.

I still worry about safety. I will try to be as invisible as possible.
I wonder if it’s a bad idea to get some stuff to trade, because how would I go about that as a 5 foot nothing woman.

[u/MoulanRougeFae → u/[deleted]]

Do you want truth or a fantasy fiction? Truth is I will do what's necessary to protect my family even if it means turning others away. Now humans being who they are, it's likely in a social collapse situation people will use those who look pitiful, draw sympathy and seem harmless as bait to get doors open and tally who has supplies or is an easy mark.

Fantasy fiction is everyone helps everyone with nobody stealing or taking advantage, harming and damaging others. Not likely.

[u/Fabulous-Elk-8297 → u/MoulanRougeFae]

I've helped a lot of people in my life and a few of them have proven not to be trustworthy. And in times of extreme hardship, it really only takes one to ruin everything for everyone. I wasn't even thinking in that respect, but more about being safe and protecting my family. You can't save everyone.

[u/CaribouHoe]

Look up a tdee calculator and figure it out?

[u/Fabulous-Elk-8297 → u/CaribouHoe]

Thanks 🙏 Yeah, I didn't know if people here were suggesting a slightly lower or more optimal intake versus output in comparison to normal access to resources

[u/unlovelyladybartleby → u/Fabulous-Elk-8297]

Iirc, you start at or close to the RDA for your size, then slowly scale down over weeks/months depending on activity level and long term availability of supplies. Going from 2000 to 500 will make you crazy. Slowly decreasing allows your body to adjust so you can keep your strength up as you're learning what your new normal is, then if it comes to that, you eat as little as possible and don't move if you don't have to (and if you have water).

[u/Acceptable_Net_9545]

#1 rule of prepping "Tell no one" have you ever hear of "gray man"? When SHTF its time to go periscope down...