But that’s what we’re saying. They don’t run or train or whatever you want to call it. 10-15 miles a week is an impossibility for almost every runner who goes on a mission for all of the many reason people have outlined already. And not even all of them walk. Some ride bikes or buses/subways while many others drive. Even if they do walk it’s much closer to 5 miles than 10 (unless they’re assigned to big cities in which case it’s usually even less). Whatever they are doing though it’s not all at once. They are walking 100 feet, stopping to talk to someone, walking another 75, talking to more people, walking a block, sitting down in someone’s home for 30-60 minutes, walking a quarter mile, etc. How’s that going to keep these guys in shape?
The vast majority of these guys are coming back overweight and everyone is severely out of shape. And you only hear about the guys who actually make it back in shape and become competitive again. There are plenty of guys who never make it back to where they were before they left. Perhaps the greatest advantage BYU guys who end up faster post-mission have is the fact that had to work so incredibly hard to back in shape. It is by far the hardest thing these guys go through in their competitive lives. Everything else they do in their careers is easy by comparison.
Here is what I don't get. I can certainly believe that missionaries don't "train" and I can believe to some degree that many don't even run much if at all.
But this idea that you all come back "fat" makes me highly skeptical. (Of course we had one guy who said he came back skinny). If you took a normal random 19 year old... and had him walk five miles or more a day... he isn't going to gain weight... Much less come back "fat"... You take ANYBODY... and have them walk five miles or more a day... they aren't going to get fat unless they eat like literal gluttons.
Meanwhile Mormon culture stresses and demonstrates excellent eating habits for kids growing up. So what are you guys eating that is making you fat. Furthermore, in order to get fat you either have to have the money to buy a lot of food... and the time to cook it... or you have to eat out... which also costs a lot of money. And from what I understand... Mormon missionaries aren't exactly rolling in the dough.
So my question is how do you guys get "fat" on missions?
I’ve told you the answer. You just don’t like it. Your perspective is singly US-focused, but that is not how everyone in the world lives. Not by far.
You are also failing to grasp the dynamics of the group we are discussing: distance runners. These guys are all much closer to being underweight than normal weight to begin with. Not every missionary gains weight. As I’ve already mentioned, many of my companions who were non-athletes lost weight on their missions because their exercise routines increased. But with distance runners, you have plenty of room to grow.
But it really comes down to the culture you serve in. High fat, high carb food (tons of meat and pasta) in my case from people who insisted you eat seconds of everything, as was their cultural norms. They sacrificed to feed us and could easily be offended if you didn’t show your appreciation by eating all you were served. Main meal was lunch. Never ate out (no fast food restaurants to got to if I had wanted to). Had only a small breakfast and a small dinner (or skipped them altogether), but lunch was big. Toss in the massive reduction in exercise and it’s a basic math problem: more calories in then out.
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.
Here is what I don't get. I can certainly believe that missionaries don't "train" and I can believe to some degree that many don't even run much if at all.
But this idea that you all come back "fat" makes me highly skeptical. (Of course we had one guy who said he came back skinny). If you took a normal random 19 year old... and had him walk five miles or more a day... he isn't going to gain weight... Much less come back "fat"... You take ANYBODY... and have them walk five miles or more a day... they aren't going to get fat unless they eat like literal gluttons.
Meanwhile Mormon culture stresses and demonstrates excellent eating habits for kids growing up. So what are you guys eating that is making you fat. Furthermore, in order to get fat you either have to have the money to buy a lot of food... and the time to cook it... or you have to eat out... which also costs a lot of money. And from what I understand... Mormon missionaries aren't exactly rolling in the dough.
So my question is how do you guys get "fat" on missions?
I’ve told you the answer. You just don’t like it. Your perspective is singly US-focused, but that is not how everyone in the world lives. Not by far.
You are also failing to grasp the dynamics of the group we are discussing: distance runners. These guys are all much closer to being underweight than normal weight to begin with. Not every missionary gains weight. As I’ve already mentioned, many of my companions who were non-athletes lost weight on their missions because their exercise routines increased. But with distance runners, you have plenty of room to grow.
But it really comes down to the culture you serve in. High fat, high carb food (tons of meat and pasta) in my case from people who insisted you eat seconds of everything, as was their cultural norms. They sacrificed to feed us and could easily be offended if you didn’t show your appreciation by eating all you were served. Main meal was lunch. Never ate out (no fast food restaurants to got to if I had wanted to). Had only a small breakfast and a small dinner (or skipped them altogether), but lunch was big. Toss in the massive reduction in exercise and it’s a basic math problem: more calories in then out.
Old memories are coming back of basically being force-fed so as not to offend the locals. We also had huge lunches of rice, beans, and chicken. I remember scarfing it down and then lying down for half an hour because I was so full. And my guilty pleasure on my mission was local soft drinks because it was one of the few things I could enjoy.
I was the one that came back skinny, but after the amoebas were taken care of once I returned, I gained weight because I kept up with my mission eating pace. I just got used to eating a ton, plus my metabolism changed.
Stateside, I imagine missionaries eat a lot of fast food - I've seen them at the local Taco Bell. You're out all day, plus you're an 18-21 year old guy, so it's not like you're going to prepare a healthy meal and pack it around with you. Even if you're a healthy eater, you still have the problem of having a companion, so you're probably going to compromise and eat what he wants half the time.
So if the mission helps, why don't other schools put their athletes on a 2 service mission?
It wouldn't cost the school much if anything. Once the program is up and running they'd have fast, wise athletes coming back into the program every year. So why not do it?
The church teaches that everyone in the world deserves a chance to hear the message. Major part of their doctrine.
It's very unsafe. We had a missionary get killed in an assault just before I got there. That was extreme of course, but it felt very unsafe. Constantly on high alert.
It definitely helped shape me. My mission president was a super impressive person. He helped me see my potential and inspired me to go to med school. But other than affecting my career path, probably not a lot. I'll bust out the Russian once in a blue moon when a Russian patient shows up. It always shocks nursing staff, but isn't a useful language in AZ.
runnER/DR,
Yes, thanks for your story and telling us of your background. I've tried to keep an eye out for your comments over the years. Keep it up.
Why would the mormons do a mission in Utah? The state is mostly mormon and everyone there will encounter the mormon faith without having someone proselytize to them. Its literally impossible to not encounter the Mormon faith in Utah. I'm not doubting your story, I'm just curious and kind of shocked. To me that would be like going to Las Vegas and trying to convince people to legalize casinos.
Yes, it does seem odd but there are Mormon missionaries in Utah. In SLC at the Temple Square complex there are a lot of Mormon missionaries.
SLC itself is now less than 50% LDS. Out of those another 50% are probably inactive in that they don't attend church
If they're truly ethical and moral then compete against similar ages and then do the mission.
They won't though because they want the advantage of a 28yo against an 18yo. Good morals huh.
Very few if any 28 year olds competing in the NCAA. Oh, wait a minute. There are some fairly old Kenyans brought in that are old but not quite 28. That's a whole different topic though.
The problem with doing the mission thing after you graduate is that people tend to go straight from college into a job. It makes it much easier to finish high school and then leave for a mission. Once you return then you begin your college education. Plus many LDS people tend to get married while in college.
Then you've never served a mission. I had BYU athletes in my mission. Almost never worked out. It's just not conducive for that. The mission is the mission. The Mission is NOT an athlete development training program. Your parents, your companion, the mission leadership, and the local church members, etc. all expect you to fulfill your part/role as a missionary. Continuing collegiate fitness is simply not part of that program. I have not been a Mormon for 25 years. But I know what missions are like. I still flinch at uninformed, anti-Mormon bias. It's unnecessary.
If they were running then their companions had the run with them. You had to be with in speaking diatance of your companion at all times unless you were in your home. How many people do you know would or could run the pace and mileage they are. Also, a lot of places may not be safe for them to run early morning. They are most definately not beign consistent with running. How do I know this? I served a mission and had a companion they wanted to run in the mornings and I refused to. I know a handful of guys that went on to play football, volleyball, and basketball and they never exercised while on their mission.
If they were running then their companions had the run with them. You had to be with in speaking distance of your companion at all times unless you were in your home. How many people do you know would or could run the pace and mileage they are. Also, lap running doesn't work, but even if it did you needed to live in an area with a track. Also, a lot of places may not be safe for them to run early morning. They are most definately not being consistent with running. How do I know this? I served a mission and had a companion they wanted to run in the mornings and I refused to. And the only morning exercise I was child pose yoga. I know enough people who served missions and didn't exercise. Just cause you weren't 100% obedient doesn't mean you didnt serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ. I know a handful of guys from my mission that went on to play college football, volleyball, and basketball. They never practiced or exercised for their sport while on their mission.
Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win a LetsRun t-shirt.Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win one of 10 LetsRun t-shirts.