Alright ladies. It’s time to get open and honest about something EVERY single woman struggles with – our appearance. It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 2 or laying on the bed trying to zip your jeans, we all have something we are insecure with when it comes to our appearance. We want all the things we don’t have. We want to be taller, shorter, thinner, curvier, smaller thighs, bigger breasts, smaller feet, better hair, prettier eyes, sleeker abs and a Brazilian butt lift kinda ass. We are constantly feeling the pressure from society that to be beautiful, you need to look like a Victoria’s Secret model. Am I right? I know that I am because I can totally relate to most of these areas. There are several things I wish I could change about myself. However, over the years, God has begun to teach me how to see myself as the beautiful woman that I am. I hope that as you read this you will open your heart to allow God to speak to you about how incredibly lovely you are and I hope these tips help you to reach your goals.
When I signed up for the World Race, I read SO many blogs about girls who put on weight while on the race. I was actually shocked to hear that nearly 90% of the girls who do the race put on weight – and some a significant amount. From day one, I was determined this would not be me. And in our hearts, we all want that. But before I give you tips on how to not pack on the pounds, you have to start on the inside. Whether you know it or believe, you are beautiful. JUST AS YOU ARE. If you didn’t change a thing, you would still be exquisite. There is a sparkle about you that is unlike any other. You have a grace and an elegance that is all your own. One of my favorite verses is from
Song of Solomon 4:7,
“You are beautiful from head to toe, my dear love,
beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless.”
READ that about 47 times until it begins to sink in. THIS is what your Father believes of you. And if that is what GOD believes, than it is ABSOLUTELY truth. Before you can begin to change things on the outside, you have to start with how you see yourself on the inside. It’s time to stop allowing the media or the men in your life make you feel like you are anything less than perfect as you are. Let me tell you ladies, a godly man will never make you feel anything less than beautiful and if he doesn’t – RUN. I could list a million verses about beauty and I will post some at the end, but until you’re ready to allow the Holy Spirit to bring those words to life and change how you view yourself, they’re just words on the page. The Bible says true beauty isn’t even on the outside.
“Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praise is
the woman who lives in the fear of God. She deserves everything!” (Proverbs 31:31)
The issue of your value was settled at the cross. When Jesus hung, bled and died, He was saying to YOU, “YOU are worth this to me”. Let that sink in. How high-priced you were that the Son of God wanted to die a brutal death to say, “I love you”. Christ died for us just as we are. He loves us just as we are. He will never give up on us. So we need to love ourselves and stop quitting on ourselves. We have to stop paying homage to the idol of comparison. GIRLS! This is why we fight and hate each other. Most of the time it’s birthed from insecurities and jealousy. Let us begin to accept our immeasurable worth as individuals and begin living in the freedom that brings.
Now that we have our minds in the right place about ourselves, we can move on to ways we can keep our bodies in good shape while traveling the world. Several people on my squad have asked me to post some workouts I put together that fit the lifestyle of the race. Life on the field makes it tough to not put on weight. You live on rice (which I may never eat again after 6 months in Asia). You’re a missionary – which means your budget is slim and the cheapest way to eat and stay full is to CARBOLOAD. You’ll be eating chapatti in India, rice in Cambodia (or anywhere really) and if you’re anything like me, as much Pad Thai as humanly possible! #noregrets. You will miss home and be tempted to emotionally eat. You’ll have skittles therapy on the hard days and for some reason probably drink more Coke than ever before. It is TOUGH. I understand. I’ve been living it for nearly 11 months. I totally understand. However, I actually weigh less now than when I left for the race. And I haven’t skipped any meals or starved myself. It is possible to go through the race, live on your budget, eat meals and not gain weight. The race should be about God adding things to your character, transforming your heart and learning how to love to the fullest – let the pounds go to your PACK.
Here’s some tips how you can make that happen:
- Don’t Emotionally Eat – Food isn’t your answer. Run to God first. Soda, candy, chips and cookies bring so much comfort, however they also come with a price. Try to limit these treats.
- Exercise – many people have said you cannot work out on the race. NOT TRUE. I work out every single day. If you can, run or power walk outside a few times a week. If that’s not possible, I’ve put together some workouts that can be done literally anywhere and don’t require anything except you. (See below)
- Drink Water – You would be surprised how many people, even out on the field, don’t drink water. Your body NEEDS water. Drink at least 3 Nalgenes a day. Drinking water adds so much to your health in tons of ways.
- EAT – Do not skip meals. Not eating is not the answer. I’ve eaten every meal. The key is to eat small portions and choose healthy options when you can. I get it, there aren’t a lot of options on the race. I would limit myself on carbs. For instance, if there was rice and noodles, pick ONE not both. Don’t go too many hours without eating. I got some granola bars and wheat crackers and I eat those in between meals so my body doesn’t get too hungry.
- Enjoy – Don’t get too stressed out; if you are active each day and trying to eat well, you’ll be fine. Be sure to enjoy life and the many delicious things you will get to experience on the race. Each culture brings something yummy and you want to have the adventure of trying to it all. Limit yourself and chose the things you really want, not just what is in front of you.
These are meant to be completed as a circuit, 4-5 days a week.
Sexy Bod Six
(Do each cardio section for 2 minutes. This is a total body workout. These reps are just suggestions, start where you’re at and work your way up.)
Arms: 30 regular push-ups
Cardio: Jumping jacks
Legs: 40 wide squats
Cardio: High knees
Abs: 1 min plank
Arms: 50 arm circles
Cardio: Butt kicks
Legs: Donkey kicks
Cardio: Sprint
Abs: 50 crunches
Arms: 30 diamond push-ups
Cardio: Plank jacks
Legs: 40 Sumo squats
Cardio: Mummy kicks
Abs: 50 Bicycle crunches
Arms: 30 triceps dips
Cardio: Mountain climbers
Legs: 40 calf raises
Cardio: Suicides
Abs: 50 Russian twists
Arms: 30 wide push-ups
Cardio: Jump rope
Legs: 30 Fire hydrants
Cardio: Frog jumps
Abs: 50 Leg lifts
Arms: 50 shoulder press
Cardio: Run in place
Legs: 40 squat with side kick
Cardio: Punches
Abs: 1 min side plank (alternate sides)
Gun Show
(This workout focuses on arms and abs. Alternate this workout with the following one on legs every other day. The cardio sections should be done for 2 minutes.)
Cardio: Side shuffle
Arms: 100 arm circles
Cardio: Jumping jacks
Abs: 50 reverse crunch
Cardio: Sprint
Arms: 40 wide push-ups
Cardio: Plank jacks
Abs: 50 starfish
Cardio: Jump rope
Arms: 30 triceps dips
Cardio: Run in place
Abs: 1 min plank
Cardio: Mountain Climbers
Arms: 30 diamond push-ups
Cardio: High knees
Abs: 50 bicycle crunches
Cardio: Butt kicks
Arms: 50 open/close arms
Cardio: Punches
Abs: 1 min side plank (alternate sides)
Cardio: Side to side leaps
Arms: 30 Regular push-ups
Cardio: Mummy kicks
Abs: 50 Russian twists
Big Booty
(This workout focuses on legs and butt. Alternate this workout with the above arm one every other day. The cardio sections should be done for 2 minutes.)
Cardio: Side shuffle
Butt: 30 single leg bridges
Cardio: Jumping jacks
Legs: 30 squats with kickback
Cardio: Sprint
Butt: 30 kneeling pulses (each leg)
Cardio: Plank jacks
Legs: 40 standing sidekicks
Cardio: Jump rope
Butt: 50 bridges
Cardio: Run in place
Legs: 40 sumo squats
Cardio: Mountain Climbers
Butt: 30 Fire hydrants
Cardio: High knees
Legs: 50 calf raises
Cardio: Butt kicks
Butt: 30 donkey kicks (each leg)
Cardio: Punches
Legs: 40 narrow squats
Cardio: Side to side leaps
Butt: 30 plank butt pulses
Cardio: Mummy kicks
Legs: 40 clam shells
I hope this helps you! Remember; eat to live, don’t live to eat.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message me!
