A toxic trait that is common in many people is always comparing oneself to others. In many aspects of life, most people do so. Come to think of it, and realize that it is mostly unavoidable because we are living on the same planet, socializing and seeing other people’s lives. There’s a part of us, humans, that tends to compare ourselves to others. Nonetheless, it should not be always like that, and it should not be used in a negative sense. To give a more specific explanation, let’s talk about how people compare their fitness progress with others’.
One of the things that can make or break a person’s confidence is his/her physical figure. For sure, the existence of society’s standards on “beauty” is the main culprit here.
Some people who lack confidence or who experience being bullied or body-shamed, even when they are already trying to work on their fitness, sometimes still get distracted by seeing that others are making better fitness progress than them. Again, this lies on the standards of society that are becoming unhealthy and degrading when given too much unnecessary focus on. Though I can’t blame you for thinking according to those norms, keep in mind to just keep going, and do what’s good and healthy for you, without comparing your progress with others’.
Here are 5 reminders whenever you keep comparing your fitness progress with others’. This is a must-read, so don’t skip a bit!
1 – Everyone’s fitness journey is different because everyone is unique.
Just like everyone’s face, everyone’s fitness journey is different because everyone is unique. Do not keep track of other’s health progress while you look down on yours. You have your own self to look at, so keep your eyes on yourself, especially if monitoring others bring you nothing but envy or disappointment towards yourself.
Your case is a different story, like others’ stories are different. You are you, so you do you.
2 – Social media isn’t everything.
Social media is where you can create your life’s blog and share everything you wish to share. And people do share everything! Naturally, people share everything good about themselves. Of course, you wouldn’t want others to know what you don’t even want to talk about, right? Right. That’s why social media contains people’s good, better and best parts.
There’s not much problem about that until you use social media as validation or as a source of envy towards other people. When people who work out post their fitness progress, you get discouraged instead of getting encouraged? Why? Social media isn’t everything. People post the best photos of themselves, sometimes with filters, sometimes none. Even they are not perfect. Don’t compare yourself to theirs just because of what they post on their social media profiles. Focus on your real life. Social media isn’t everything.
3 – What’s important is that you have realistic goals.
If you concentrate hard on your targets, things will be bearable for you, and there’s no need for you to even be affected by others’ fitness progress that make you insecure. Keep in mind that even when your progress is slow, that’s still progress! What’s important is that you have realistic goals and that soon, you will accomplish them! Grab your exercise equipment, and focus on your goals!
4 – Appreciate yourself and your efforts.
No one will applaud you louder than yourself. So that you stop comparing yourself to others’ fitness progress, start appreciating yourself and your efforts. Wherever you are in your fitness journey, you are doing a great job! Taking the first step is already challenging, but look at you, you have gone too far to just get disheartened because of your own thoughts! Give yourself a pat on the back for working hard and for being so patient with yourself too!
5 – Be grateful.
Other people might be doing so much better and might have almost reached the finish line of their fitness journey, but that’s them and their course. You have yours. Be grateful. Be thankful that you also have your own pathway and do not need to rent another person’s track. Right there, right now, be filled with gratitude. You are alive and healthy. Appreciate life while you’re working towards your fitness progress’ triumphant end!
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YOU, YOURSELF AND YOU
Comparing your fitness progress with how other people are doing will take you nowhere but deeper in frustration. Unless you will use that observation to get inspired and even more driven to strive hard, it’s okay. But if it distracts and pulls you down, no. Reboot your head. Change your perspective. Focus on your trail. You will get there. You, yourself and you. Just keep moving.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. She finds quality and well-researched writing as a worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. For her, it’s restoring and fulfilling to the heart and a great way to clear the mind while loading it up with fresh learning. Film critiquing and filmmaking are among her interests too. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Quality and well-researched writing is her worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. She also writes for Fitbiz Exercise Equipment, an excellent source of the ultimate fitness equipment collections in Australia. Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
