A 73 mile day

This past Sunday, May 4th, was the 2 yr. mark of my adventure to being a healthier me. I wanted to do something big to celebrate, so I decided that on Sat. I was going to ride a mile for every pound that I'd lost over the last two years, which was 73 pounds as of last Friday. I decided to break the ride into two parts, a 40 miler in the morning by myself, and a 33 miler in the afternoon with a couple of friends joining in. The longest ride I've done has been 38 miles, so I wasn't entirely sure how I'd feel at the end of the day, but I was pretty sure that I was in good enough shape to do it. The 40 miler was pure loveliness: a perfect day, a great, hilly route out into the countryside and past horse farms. I had a fantastic time talking with God and just enjoying the pleasure of cycling. The ride later in the day was also fine physically, but at a slower pace due to those who accompanied. But I was super thankful for their desire to come out and encourage and support me, and enjoyed that time with them.

Since Sat., I've lost 3 more pounds and finally entered into the "Normal" weight category for my height. I'm super excited after all of this hard work to be in the healthy weight category. I'm not at my final goal, but am thoroughly enjoying the process of getting there. When I started this, I had no idea where I needed to end up. I didn't know what I looked like underneath the weight. I had been heavy almost my entire life and told that I was just a bigger, large-boned girl. So, I set my number at 150. But as I was approaching 150, I realized something: I'm not a bigger, large-boned girl. I'm a little person, and 150 couldn't be my final number. My final number, honestly, is going to be wherever my body settles, which I'm pretty sure will happen naturally as I continue to work hard and eat great. My final number will most likely be around 125 or 130. But let me say this: it's not actually about a number, regardless of where I end up. Right now, I weigh 144, and I'm super healthy and in fantastic shape. And that's what it's about for me. I believe that my body was created by God and is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I believe that it is my responsibility to take care of that temple and in so doing, be able to serve Him longer with a healthy body. So wherever I end up,  it's about being the healthiest me and the me that He has created me to be.

I'm super thankful for God's mercies and for His healing hand over my body. I'm thankful that I didn't do major damage to my body while carrying that extra weight. I'm so thankful for this redeemed body that loves to run, and swim, and cycle, and is preparing for another triathlon next month! I'm so thankful for this second chance and feel so blessed to be a child of the great Physician. Also, many thanks to all of you who've cheered me on in this journey!!

Before starting out on the 40 mile ride

April 2012 & April 2014