This is part 3 of my check-in of the World Race and the things I have learned and how I’ve grown over this past year.
If you haven’t read part 1 and 2 of this blog series please click Part 1 (Emotionally) and Part 2 (Spiritually)
How do I share with you how I’ve grown physically on the race, when you can tell by this picture that I have shrunk?….
Here’s the thing with the race. Before launching you hear one of two things: 1) I gained weight on the World Race or 2) I lost weight on the World Race.
Well, I didn’t gain.
If you are a future racer reading this, either of the options can be you, I’ve noticed it often depends on what your lifestyle was before the race. My lifestyle was eating poorly, eating fast food a lot, not exercising and having a non-active lifestyle. So when the race came, I was definitely being active every day, food portions are smaller, and the food is healthier therefore I lost weight. Did I exercise on the race? No.
But if before the race, you are very active, watch what you eat, and exercise regularly you may gain weight. Why? Cuz on the race, all you eat is carbs (rice and more rice, tortillas, bread, pastries etc) and finding time to work out is sometimes difficult, but possible.
You may also not gain or lose and that’s okay.
I really don’t have much else to share about it. It’s as simple as that. It was all about a lifestyle change.
I couldn’t tell you the amount that I lost, I haven’t stepped on a scale in 5 months. But I feel different. I feel better. Healthier. I have more energy. I sleep better. I no longer take naps but am getting up earlier in the morning.
I look back at pictures from the race and honestly am disgusted with who I was, and what I looked like. I’ve struggled with recently how I could love someone that looked like that. But those were lies from the enemy. He knows how to break you down. But we have one incredible God that has spoken into those lies, through His Word and through my squad mates. It’s not about the numbers, it’s about how I feel about myself, how I love myself for who I am. I am beautiful, I am loved, I’m “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139), I am chosen. And that’s all that matters, the weight loss is just a bonus.
So What’s next? I ask that people to please hold me accountable. Transitioning back into the states with be tough. I need to stay ahead of the game. Disciplining myself with the food I eat and exercise. It’s not gonna be easy, but It’s gonna be worth it. I know longer want to feel the way I felt.
Updated: I lost 45lbs on the race.
That is my pre-race self, and I ain’t going back.
