Getting to the starting line is the greatest victory of all. It does not matter what the goal, just starting to move towards the attainment of that goal is the hugest step. For me, I was always going to start my weight loss, exercise, quitting bad habits, etc. on Monday. Well, Monday just never seemed to come around. It is funny and sick to think that I went for YEARS waiting for that Monday to come around.
After I lost about 60lbs, I started to train for a marathon. Since then, I have finished many marathons. During this whole process of becoming healthy and fit, I learned that making it to the starting line of a marathon is so much bigger than people realize. It takes a lot of preparation to get to the starting line. It is the same for weight loss. I needed to overcome many hurdles just to get started. Nobody wants to start because that is where they have to face the demons that hold them back. The things that they fear will prevent them from finishing or reaching their goal weight. The things that they fear they won’t be able to change. Thoughts like “Maybe I can lose the weight, but I probably won’t keep it off, so why start.” In my 50 mile race that I finished in around 12 hours, I was scared to death at the starting line, but I was there. I could never have finished running 50 miles if I hadn’t been at the starting line. Now I understand that a 50 miler is extreme, but the lesson is the same. You have to overcome to get to the starting line, and then you take one step after another until you reach the goal. For Weight Watchers, my sister talked me into going for the first time. I did not want to start on a Wednesday, I wanted to start on Monday. We both knew that Monday would not come though, so we started on Wednesday. Thank God for that. I was afraid, I was embarrased to get my fat self on the scale in front of people, I thought I was too fat to go, I had all kinds of hurdles that I had to get over. I did make it to that first weigh in. After that I just kept taking one step at a time until I lost 133lbs and totally changed my health and body.
I know it can be scary to start a new life when you have so many doubts about making it to the finish line. I want to encourage everyone that is starting a new life of health that the place you are right now is such a big win for you. You have overcome so much junk in order to finally start. Hey, just deciding not to wait until Monday is huge. Keep it up, even if you doubt making it to goal, just keep it up. Don’t think too far ahead. Make the small choice today and put one foot in front of the other. You are on the road to a new life.
My angle on weight loss 
Thank you so much for your encouragement. ”Even more cool is that I managed to finish 7 marathons and 4 ultra marathons (up to 50 miles).” This blows my mind.. period. You have accomplished something so incredible! What a machine! That definitely inspires me.
I like your tips on running at your own pace. I think you’re probably right about our joints actually gaining strength from running. I am a little worried about my previously injured knee, but I’m just going to take it slowly and listen to my body when it needs to walk. I want to make this half marathon as enjoyable as possible so I will want to do more.
Maybe one day I can be a total machine like you. How cool would that be! I’d feel on top of the world!
I think your idea about taking it slowly and making your half enjoyable is a key to lifelong running and activity. If you hate it your not going to keep at it. That was also my goal, and it still is. Enjoy it=stick with it
That’s great. You are definitely an inspiration. I used to country line dance 6 days a week, but when that ended because the place closed and I didn’t want to go anywhere else, I had to find some other source of exercise. I ended up trying jogging, very slowly, 20-minutes a day, and that’s been going on for 5 and 1/2 years now. I have participated in a few 5k’s, but I am looking forward to someday trying a 1/2 marathon and maybe even a full marathon. The problem is, at my pace, they will all be done and gone home by the time I cross the finish line. Anyway, keep up your good work.
I thank you for the comment. I always walk and run the marathons because it is more fun that way. I am usually pushing the limits of the cut off times. Nothing wrong with going slow. Lots of marathons have early starts or late cut offs. You go for it!