In February 1982, ABC’s Wide World of Sports introduced us to the Ironman Triathlon. Near the end of the demanding race, ABC spotlighted the leader, Julie Moss, as she agonizingly crawled toward the finish line. Moss still held the lead just yards away from the finish as she left everything she had on the course, but unfortunately she was passed by eventual winner Kathleen McCartney. Millions have watched that incredible finish and become inspired to take up the challenge. Moss, then a 23-year-old college student, is now an Ironman Hall of Famer. She is a finisher.
We are inspired by finishers, not starters. When someone says, “I just started a weight loss program,” I’m excited for them, but the real celebration happens when they reach their goal—when they finish. The sad truth is most starts end with stops instead of finishes.
Having witnessed thousands of starts, stops and finishes along the way, there are some common themes. When someone starts a program aiming to get healthy or lose weight, there is always energy, excitement and enthusiasm right out of the blocks. They encounter success early, saying things like, “I feel so great!” or, “I have so much more energy,” or, “I’m stronger, my moods are better, and I’m even sleeping better.” Everything is better. They have made enough changes with food and exercise that they really do feel better, and people are starting to notice.
But for some reason, most of those people who start so well forget to finish well. Challenges and obstacles come somewhere along the way. Food cravings may take over and derail progress. Stress or emotion may cause poor food choices that take them off track. A busy schedule turns one missed workout into weeks of missed workouts. Or, a lot of times, results stall and progress doesn't come as easily as it did at first, turning the whole process into hard work.
I have said the phrase to my kids a thousand times: “It’s not how you start that counts; it’s how you finish.” Anybody can start strong when energy and motivation is high, but not everybody can finish when fatigue sets in and the voices in your head are telling you to quit. Sometimes it’s hard to finish strong from day to day. Each day starts with a new motivation and resolve to make good choices, but too often ends with late-night eating and failure.
It's like running a marathon. The hardest part isn’t the start. Believe it or not, it’s not even the finish. The hardest part of a marathon comes around mile 21 when your body is fatigued, your mind is weary, and the finish line is still far away. You feel like giving up. But those who persevere receive a “finisher’s medal,” because winning is found in finishing, not starting. Similarly, the hardest part of getting healthy isn’t starting a program; it’s staying with it and finishing.Here are three key factors that will help you finish strong:
1. Self-Talk — The words that we speak (and even think) have the power of life and death. When the going gets tough, finishers flood their minds with positive thinking, optimism and belief. They take those old words of defeat captive and focus on finishing.
2. Raving Fans — Encouragement fuels strong finishes. Having people cheering you on helps you overcome obstacles and setbacks. When your “fans” are lining the streets to encourage you, you will stay the course.
3. Clear Vision — Finishers keep the finish line in sight. They remember why they are pursuing good health or a competitive goal. When the why is big enough, you’ll find a way. Focusing your eyes on the prize keeps you from distractions that bring you down.
In 2 Timothy, Paul has his eyes on the finish line. He is encouraging Timothy to stay the course and finish strong just like he is. Paul was a raving fan of Timothy, and his constant encouragement helped Timothy keep his mind and vision clear. Paul encountered more hardship than most of us ever will, but he was faithful until the end.
If you have a desire to actually finish what you have started on your way to abundant health, you can do it. Start and finish strong each day. Then days will turn to months and months to years. Becoming a finisher happens one step at a time.
You can do this!
Originally Published: November 2013