It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Posted: June 20, 2011 at 5:21 pm

Before getting into tonight’s post, I need to let #68 - Julie @ Savvy Eats know she won the Physique 57 DVD giveaway! Email me with your shipping address details so I can get your info to Natasha and your workout headed your way. Congrats!

Last week while at the beach, I opened up about my initial body image struggles at hanging out in a bikini for the week. Through expressing those thoughts, I wizened up and felt immediately better. Thank you for your support, because I think having this blog has helped me approach post-vacation with a much healthier mindset.

I enjoyed my vacation. A lot. I did my very best to remain as balanced as possible and I believe I succeeded. I kept up regular activity. I chose healthier meal options for breakfasts, snacks, and most lunches. I didn’t take a “to heck with it, let me gorge myself” mentality like I would have done in the past. I pride myself on those accomplishments. Yes, accomplishments – because I believe we should all pride ourselves on every healthy decision we make for our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls as an accomplishment.

Typically I would return from vacation feeling down on myself. Telling myself that I should have tried harder. Or that I shouldn’t have had that extra margarita. Or that I could have managed some additional workouts this weekend after getting home. No matter how many healthy decisions I accomplished, if I didn’t do “perfectly” it wasn’t enough. In the past, I may have taken a downward spiral upon feeling somewhat bloated from my trip and think I have negated any and all previous progress. Today, however, I feel good. Great, even.

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I enjoyed my vacation. End of story. I enjoyed my vacation. I expect that my dietary choices over the course of the trip did add up to slightly more than my body needed. But, who cares? It can come right back off with a week or two of my regular habits. I’m still healthy. I’m still able to work hard at the gym. And now I’m also able to have many fond memories and zero guilt from my time with family at the beach.

Healthy living endures. Healthy living doesn’t halt because of a week with my fair share of frozen yogurt. Healthy living doesn’t negate itself because I decided to live my life by experiencing a quality vacation, including dining out and chilling by the beach. My lifestyle, the fitness goals I hope to achieve, and my “happy place” where I feel best all occur over time.

As the good ole cliché saying goes - “it’s a marathon, not a sprint”. The fitness and health I have will last because I stay forged on a path of balanced living. A path that can stroll along the beach while eating some key lime pie and have the steady pace to watch a gorgeous sunrise along the way…while still ending up in the same destination – only happier and more fulfilled.

  • What is one of your favorite cliché sayings because it’s just so true?
  • How have you seen small, healthy decisions add up over time?

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54 Comments to “It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint”
  1. It’s so nice to read about your progress and how happy you feel after vacation. Sometimes on vacation I succeed in just enjoying myself, other times I end up overdoing it. Hopefully I’ll get the balance just right eventually!

  2. Ah, great quote for this post! The key is that you enjoyed that vacation and you’re not beating yourself up (or you better not be!). I think each time you make a healthy choice, it adds up in many ways. It just solidifies that as a habit for starters.

  3. Great post and congrats on having such a great trip, in all respects! I struggle with eating “normally” on vaca and still use it as a time to eat whatever I want–and some stuff I don’t want! It’s my biggest food hurdle right now.

  4. vivoir says:

    favourite cliche…

    everything’s alright in the end. if it’s not alright, it’s not the end

    well, that and ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’. slightly less chirpy, but i’m extremely aware of how true this is right now. life is a learning curve, each knock back toughens us up to stand taller

  5. Jenn GH says:

    My favorite cliche is shooting for “consistency not perfection”. There is a million ways to say it but it’s pretty much the same thing as your marathon one.

    • Tina says:

      That one is 100% truth. And I plan on doing a few kettlebells moves in my workout on Thursday. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes. You were my inspiration for it after all. 🙂

  6. I love the “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” saying b/c as cliche as it is, it is the EXACT saying that made my last attempt (almost 2 yrs ago) to clean up my diet and live healthy last while all the others did not. Before I would’ve “dieted” and restricted myself for immediate outcomes, ones that in the end never lasted. I was sprinting. Once I realized that I had to start small, and embrace every little positive outcome I was able to stick to it and I’ve since seen the best results and they’ve stuck!

  7. Aw man I so wanted to winthat giveaway…bit so glad Julie won 🙂 I have to say I have yet to really take a trip where I didn’t have an all or nothing attitude with food, but I feel super inspired now after reading about your trip and decisions. Guess the trip to Dallas in 3 weeks will be a great staring place!

  8. I love the saying ‘Too blessed to be stressed’

    It sounds so cheesy, but I remind myself of all the things I’m so grateful for whenever I find myself beginning to throw a pity party.

    Another personal favorite? ‘If you’re lucky enough to live on the water, you’re lucky enough.: I try to remind myself of that one, too! 🙂

  9. I really like the cliche statement: “There’s no place like home”. It is so true for me. At least in the family sense. Home doesn’t have to be a place, but for me it’s where the people that I love are 🙂

  10. Mrs. Fish says:

    Great post, Tina! Vacations are meant to be enjoyed, not regretted! 🙂

  11. Jess says:

    My favorite “cliche” saying: home is where the heart is. Well, that’s one of them 😉

  12. Lisa says:

    Your views towards health are so inspiring Tina. Every time I read your blog (which is every time you post—though I don’t comment very often) I take what you say, reflect upon it, and try to use it when I feel like I’m about to binge! I truly appreciate every single thing you post on this blog. Your honesty is so helpful!!

    • Tina says:

      Thanks, Lisa! And I hope all is well with you too since you haven’t been posting. I always love hearing from you. 🙂

  13. I just got back from a 10 day vacation yesterday. While I did indulge in many sweets, I still ate healthy meals with plenty of fruits and veggies. I got back on track today and already feel 90% back to myself. Good job to you!

  14. Way to go Tina! Your attitude is amazing and I’m glad you had a great time! 🙂

  15. You are absolutely right! It’s all about balance.

    My favorite cliche: It’s never crowded on the extra mile.

    Is that a cliche? Maybe it’s just a quote. Anyway, I like it. 🙂

  16. I went to Southampton to visit my parents this past weekend and for the first time ever in my life I didn’t take off my summer dress at the beach! I’ve been traveling and eating A LOT recently and felt really out of shape/not good about my body. It’s hard- I preach ‘accept who you are’but sometimes your insecurities get the best of you. I has a great time– don’t get me wrong– I just felt uncomfortable/didn’t fit into my old bikinis!

  17. It looks like the had a stellar vaca!

    My fav cliche: Shit happens. Seriously – it does. The sooner you realize it and learn to make the best of bumps (lemonade out of lemons 🙂 ) in the road, the better!

  18. lindsay says:

    so so true. and you know what, you lived in the moment! not dwelling on what you should have done, etc.
    🙂

  19. Love this post. I would have done the same thing you would have done a ew years ago – freak out and feel bad about my choices over the vacation. Now, I know that a vacation is different from my every day living, so if I gain a few pounds, oh well! It’ll go!

  20. Jolene says:

    IT is a marathon, not a sprint!! So so true. And you honestly did so well on your trip, balancing workouts (fun ones!!) with some healthy food choices and a few happy choices too. I hope to abide by this when I am in NYC this weekend, not losing sight of the goal, but enjoying myself in the process!

  21. Keren says:

    God Bless you for this post. I was on my beach vacation two weeks ago and spent the last week trying to get back to my “normal” eating and exercise patterns. What ended up happening is that my body freaked out and I gained more weight. After spending the morning moping around, I decided (after a getting a pep talk from my hubby) to just stay the course and the weight will come off. I did enjoy my vacation and I do NOT want to feel bad about it.

    It is indeed a marathon!

    Thanks for the reminder!

  22. Karolina says:

    Ah…”shoulding” on yourself is very rarely healthy & motivating, and usually causes more damage. Guilt beatings are just not the way to go, and i’m glad you were able to avoid it this time around. Very healthy of you:)

  23. Melodie says:

    I thought you looked great on your vacation! I would have never thought you had just had Baby B if I didn’t already know. Sometimes, the thought runs through my head…”does God really want food and body image to be such a big deal in my life” I think society has made it to where it has to be. I obviously have come a loong way in my body image struggles, but for some reason this post made me think of that thought 🙂 I am glad that you enjoyed yourself on vacation. Finding a delicate balance with food and work outs is so hard. I listened to a podcast from The Village church yesterday on “deep” idols. It was very interesting and got my thoughts rolling even more on this whole issue of food and body image and what the real healthy balance is!

    • Tina says:

      I have certainly been a place where body image and food were idols in my life. I agree that they can get to that place, but we have to work hard to keep them as good intended. Our body image should be rooted in viewing ourselves as His creation and food should be no more than His gift to nourish our bodies. 🙂

  24. Dorry says:

    “Healthy living endures.” – Such smart words, and a healthy way of living life!

  25. Khushboo says:

    Love this post! On my last trip I felt great when I arrived home! Yeah I did indulge a lot more than usual but I did fit in workouts in the morning and chose healthy options when I felt like it! Life is too short to always be rigid and if anything, indulgence does wonders for mental health (within limits of course)!

    I’ve always been a firm believer of the marathon quote! When I first started losing weight, I went the slow and steady ‘1-2 lb loss per week’ route as opposed to crash dieting! Had I gone with the latter, I’m not sure I would have been as successful…or happy! Good health is not a destination but an ongoing journey!

  26. Cara says:

    Great quote and great post! No need to overindulge yourself on vacation, just eat and enjoy, be active a little each day, and you will return to normal after a week or so at home. Vacations are all about enjoying yourself and I think make a healthy decision each day to be active is the best way to feel strong and good!

    Glad you were able to have this mindset on your vacation, it makes things much more enjoyable, doesn’t it!?

  27. Sarah says:

    I like this post Tina. I completely agree with this quote. Healthy living is a life time of choices and that includes being able to sit back, relax and enjoy a vacation.

  28. I think you really kept it balanced on vacation–lots of fun and lots of healthy mixed in! I never exercise (outside of walking or stretching) when on vacation. So I think you did a great job! 🙂 You’re an inspiration, Tina.

  29. Jess says:

    I love this – and have always admired your firm commitment to balance which has led to you leading a very happy and centered life. Because you’re right – it is not a sprint, it’s a marathon AND despite that healthy living taking dedication and hard work, it should also be kinda fun too, right?

  30. Brittany says:

    I LOVE this post…I think I needed to hear this. lol. I’m going on vacation in 2 weeks and am worried about gaining weight (last time I went on vacation I gained 10 lbs…which terrifies me for this trip). But reading this helped me realize that I just need to make healthy choices, and enjoy my time with my family. You’re right, the weight will come off when we begin our normal routine and eating agian. Thank you! You’re such an inspiration!!

    Also, did you know there’s a smiley face on the bottom left corner of this page?? I just noticed it! 😛

  31. I believe that guilt has no place in a healthy life. That’s my own personal conviction. It’s all about doing things out of love and self-respect and no guilt – and you’ve captured it so well here.

  32. What timing! I was just dreaming up a whole blog post about cliches that I now know to be true. I don’t have a favorite, there are sooo many.

  33. Glad you enjoyed your vacation!

    I like, “Life’s a journey, not a destination,” with the credit to Aerosmith.

    For me, a series of good choices result in just feeling better. I’m far from perfect, but I try to take care of myself to feel good and enjoy life.

    Thanks for sharing your positive outlook!

  34. I’ve been making healthier choices with my food over time and I honestly think it makes a difference! I don’t “diet” but have been able to drop the baby weight without too much effort just by keeping an eye on what I am doing and making healthier choices.

  35. You and your honest posts always amaze me TIna — you are such a strong women and role model, and I’m so glad that you’re putting it all out there to share with the blogworld that every feat should be celebrated. You seem to really be cultivating a healthy mindset that is going to stick around for the better.

    • Tina says:

      Thanks so much, Allison! The blog world really inspires me to keep a healthy balance. Love this community!

  36. Lindsey says:

    Beautiful post!

  37. I also love this post! I don’t really have a favorite “cliche” saying, but I just try to remind myself to strive for balance and to be realistic because one week of enjoying foods I don’t typically eat is not going to throw me completely off the rocker. I exercise and make healthy choices 90(ish) percent of the time to be good to my body, but also partially so that the other 10 percent of the time I can indulge! 🙂

  38. Awesome and insightful post! I had the same sort of thoughts last week and posted about them–we have our whole lives to get to where we want to be and there is no need to try to rush and get discouraged if we take a detour or two! I loved this!!

  39. You’re dang right it’s an accomplishment! There are a million and one times during a day that each of us can make a decision, good or bad. When you make it a good one, a healthy one, it’s an accomplishment. Temptation or pure laziness or the “letting go” mindset can really mess with our heads…and choosing to stick to your guns is fantastic. 🙂 Go you!

    Small, healthy decisions add up over time? Um, you’ve read my blog. 🙂 Haha.

  40. I always like to say, What’s meant to be is meant to be. I really think this is so true – even out of bad things, good things can come of it.

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