Training for a Marathon

I read a story that I thought had great application for all of us (myself included!) who are committed to making changes in our lives.  So often we have great intentions but get sidetracked - and sidelined - because we're so worried about what others might think of what we're doing.  Here's the story:

Recently, when my wife and I wanted to meet our sons and their families for a quick bite to eat, we decided that, with everyone’s busy schedules, it would be easiest to meet at a nearby fast-food joint. When I called my son Joe to suggest the plan, his response was, “Well, I can meet you there, but I can’t eat that stuff. I’m training for a marathon.” 

. . . Joe had a goal in mind—the successful completion of the marathon. He knew that reaching the goal was going to require months of disciplined choices, like waking up early to run longer and longer distances. And it meant that he would need to carefully guard and consider everything that he took into his body. Each meal—in fact, each snack—became an opportunity to choose to nourish and energize his body toward a successful marathon run.

One of the things that impressed me about this story was how matter of fact and unapologetic Joe was, and how accepting his family was of his statement that he would join them at the fast-food restaurant but not eat the food.

It's funny, but if a marathoner turns down food because they're training for a race, absolutely everybody understands and supports the decision, and most people won't try to undermine the decision.  It's universally understood that you don't mess with an athlete in training, and people training for a marathon (or other athletic activity) are amazingly disciplined because they are focused on the ultimate reward.

Why are we so often reluctant to make the same declaration?  We are in training, too, only this isn't just a race, this is our lives and our health.  Yet we find ourselves apologetic when we're in social situations if we don't eat what everyone else is eating, or we cave in because we don't want to offend anyone.

Today my challenge to you is to think and act like a marathoner - be focused on the ultimate outcome and be bold!  This is the marathon of your life, and you are in training - learning new healthy habits that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Ready . . . set . . . go! There are choices to be made today, so choose wisely :-)