CHALLENGE TO CHANGE

BEGINNING OF CHANGE.

Challenge to be better and inspire others as well. 

I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed as prediabetic. I am an average guy, married with children.  This was a piece of devastating news to me because i regularly work out and have an idea how to be healthy. But deep inside, I was not really surprised because of my diet and lifestyle. Although i have limited my drinking, due to my christian faith to 1-2 bottles of beer, or a bottle of wine in the weekends that I share with my wife, ice cream and chocolates are the two devils I cannot resist. My job as a manager of custodians at a State University requires me to work at night and sleep during the day, which changes my sleeping and eating patterns. Although I exercise regularly, i dont seem to make progress. My muscles are not growing and I am packing up some excess fat.

When i arrive home, after a long night shift, I crave for something sweet. Instead a eating a good healthy meal,  i would snack on chocolates and ice cream before going to bed. This lifestyle went on for a few years. Snack before bed, alcohol in the weekends and inconsistent sleep schedules. 

I became 40 lbs overweight. I felt weak and irritable. I encounter breathing issues whenever my 9 year old ask me to play with him. 

I decided to change. 

Challenge to change: Challenge myself to be better!

“I am sick and tired feeling sick and tired.”

I decided to change my diet. I opted for plant based meals. After watching a few documentaries in Netflix about plant based lifestyle, I was pumped. After trying plant based meals, I figured this was doable. I told myself, If i lasted a whole week just eating vegetables, I will carry on. I lasted a year full year ate  no animal products. My lab values were great! All the red flags on my medical report cleared. Also, my energy level was at an all time high. 

But this success came with a little setback.

A felt a feeling of deprivation.

I am Filipino. Our culture revolves around eating and spending time with family with food. Although  choosing plant based meals was doable and sustainable, we can agree to disagree, i noticed the hardship this lifetyle is bringing to my wife, who prepares the meals. My kids will join me eating vegetables, but kids will be kids. Hamburger and pizza every now and then are part of being a kid. There are days that a meat alternative will not cut it. Please dont get me wrong, there are people who are on plant based diet that reap all the health benefits. Hats off to them. But I am speaking for myself.  I needed to find an alternative to keep my sanity 

Then my uncle introduced me to Spartan Race. He talked a about Spartan Race before but I chose not to pay attention. This time around was different. i signed up for my first race January of 2022. 

I highlighted that race date on my calendar. It brought a different perspective to my fitness goals. Because of this race date, I became more focused. I started to read blogs, joined a Reddit group and did a little bit of research on how to prepare. I also consulted my uncle often how to get ready for Spartan Races. He never failed me. I noticed myself, because of the date hanging over my head, to eat less chocolates and ice cream. I also started to avoid alcohol. I hated cardio exercises, but all of a sudden, i got hooked to hiking 5 miles every weekend. 

I enjoyed the benefits of plant based meals so I kept that lifestyle Monday to Friday.  I eat a meal or two with animal products during the weekend. This is a win win for me. I am on track with my health goals, and I enjoy other foods with family and friends 

Race Day!

Because of all the preparation, I enjoyed every minute of the race. Although there are some obstacles I did not complete, that pushed me on to sign up for more. I made my personal goal to improve each race by completing an obstacle that I fail during the previous race. 

“Spartan: You will know at the finish line” I agree, all the hard work preparing for the race is highlighted by crossing the finish line and being awarded the medal. The feeling is exhilarating and  urges you to want more. 

That was 2022. Where i completed my first trifecta with my eldest son.

Trifecta is to complete 3 races (Sprint 5K, Super 10k, Beast 21K) in a year. 

Challenge to Change: Inspire others to change

For this year, 2023, i signed up for 9 races. My goal for this year:

1. Back to back races

2. Three  trifectas in one year or X3

3. One Trifecta weekend (Sprint, Super and Beast completed Sat and Sunday. 

I am almost there with my goals

Last January, my son and I completed our first back to back race (Super and Sprint). Please wait for my next blog post regarding this experience. 

We just need two more Beast races to complete our two Trifectas. One Beast race is scheduled at Big Bear, #2 hardest Spartan course. 

Our Trifecta weekend is scheduled November, which will complete our goal for 2023, with 3 trifectas 

I am 46 years old, I never imagined doing things like this. I am already inspiring people at church and old friends with my accomplishments. 

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

What is your challenge to change?