I have lost a noticeable amount of weight since our move to The Philippines in July of last year. I am guessing about 15 pounds but since I never weigh myself, I can't be sure.
I've had a few friends and family members remark about the change. So, I'm here to share with you the top secret "missionary diet". Just like the "masked magician" who unveils the tricks of his trade at the risk of being blackballed by his industry, I'm willing to take the risk of having all my missionary friends turn their backs on me.
So, you want to eat like a missionary? Lose a few pounds? Feel great on just five hours' sleep a night?
Here it goes:
1. Eat carbs three meals a day.
Seriously. We eat local white bread (pan de sal) every morning and white rice with our lunch and dinner. We drink little packets of nescafe called 3-in-1, which are just instant coffee with powdered milk and sugar already added. It's like having doughnuts and a coke in terms of sugar. Fast track to diabetes. Isn't weight loss a symptom? I'd better google that.
2. Eat fast food.
No joke. Fast food here is very VERY inexpensive and, with all the time we spend driving between various social welfare offices and non-government organizations, we probably eat McDonald's or Jollibee three times a week. Fried chicken with rice. Fries. Coke zero.
3. Take your vitamins.
I take two flintstones every day. The kids like the gummy vitamins our friends sent from the US but not the flintstones so, I take those.
With iron.
4. Get parasites.
Yeah. I did. They're gone now (I think). That was the real "kick start" of the weight loss. I was waking up every morning and noticing myself looking thinner. Delaying treatment of suspected parasites will result in additional weight loss. Taking the 500mg of mebendazole slowed the weight loss down. Make a note of that.
5. Eat out in Asia.
The portion sizes here are shockingly small. There are no free refills on drinks. The adult meals are smaller than a Happy Meal in America.
Of course, this is written tongue-in-cheek and I do not seriously recommend anyone I love resort to carbs, sugar, lack of sleep and parasites. But what I am getting at here is that the changes in our life on this mission field are drastic. And I could make better choices but, in truth, I am feeling better, stronger and fitter than I have in many years.
And I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for all of it.
Every bit.
I know He is sustaining me in a very crazy time of life. I do not deserve the good health I am enjoying and am definitely convicted that it is time to do a better job planning, cooking, stopping to eat what I make for others and getting enough SLEEP.
The missionary diet is not recommended long term. It has manifest out of sheer busyness and my own choosing of tasks over food and sleep.
I know the warnings that will follow this post will be right. Yes, it is important to eat and sleep well.
But the kids and the paperwork and serving my own family and trying to eek out time for friends and my husband . . .
It may sound like I'm complaining but I love this life. I do.
I WANT to do all of the things I am doing. I find JOY in them and in the people related to them.
And although I would never invite you to join us in our work just to lose a few pounds, come and try it for yourself.
You might find the side effects to be more of Him and LESS OF YOU!
