NSV - Same 5K 1 year apart, what a difference a year makes

So last year in Oct 2012, I participated in a 5K called Queen City Race for Life. It helps support breast cancer. It was my very 1st 5K. I was trying to run at the time so I signed up as a runner. I wasn't able to run the whole thing, I actually had to walk most of it. I completed the 5K, cried because it was my very first race. I thought I was awesome! Lol! My finish time was 51 min (and some odd seconds, I think I was almost at the 52 min mark)! I thought those numbers were great!! I had been "working out" since the begining of Aug at the time of the race last year. And although I was running/walking I wasn't eating right at all. Shortly after this race I gave up everything all together. Stopped running or walking. I went back into failure mode.

Fast forward to the middle of July 2013. I had had it with myself. My weight had gone up to 290lbs. I so so tired of starting & failing, starting & failing, starting & failing. I had no hope for success within myself. I am a devout Jesus Girl! And I knew that I was not making right choices to have the body He created be what He created it to be! I prayed and told God. You help me fix this path I am on & I will make sure YOU get all the glory for it. I knew there was no way, in my own power, I could do this again and succeed. And so my journey, with a hope for my future I had never had, began. I joined a gym, started watching my calories & stopped eating junk, joined a bootcamp (strength training) 3 days a week & did cardio another 3 days a week. And i signed up for the Queen City Race for Life again, only this time as a walker. I was determined to have a better time this time around. Even if it was only by a few seconds.

Today was the day of the race. For comparrison purposes I wore the same shirt I wore last year. I walked the whole thing & completed it in right at 48 min!!!!! And yes it was my legs that carried me the 3.1 miles, but it was the power, grace & love of God that gave me the hope & "want to" to make my life better and finish the race!!!

The left pic is from 2012 & the right is from today. I still have 75lbs to lose until I reach my goal. But, this time, I know I will get there!! And God will get all the glory!!!






P.S. I understand that some of you may think this belongs in the "religious" section. And I also understand that some of you may think I am crazy, stupid or ignorant for believeing like I do. I can respect your opnion. We all have free will to make whatever choices we deem fit in our own lives. My choice happens to be one that lives my life for (what I believe to be) the one true God! All I ask is that you keep any negative comments or opnions to yourself, please! I would do the same for you if the post was yours!

Thanks & God Bless to all!!!