Comparison

There’s a famous quote that goes “comparison is the thief of joy.”

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And that statement is true. Comparing yourself to others can cause your confidence to take a hit and ultimately derail your goals.

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In the gym we have seen this as:

“I’m so weak compared to others.”

“I’m larger/skinner than the people in my session.”

"I can't do the things the others are doing."

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And outside the gym, there is social media. Lots of us follow fitness influencers, many of whom create an unrealistic standard that can contribute to negative self-comparisons.

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When someone compares themselves to another that they perceive as fitter or stronger, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. It makes some people simply give up.

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I think for most humans, it’s normal and common to compare yourself to others, but doing so continually can result in some bleak consequences.

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For one, it can diminish your own sense of accomplishment and make you feel like you're not doing enough. This negatively impacts self-esteem.

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Striving for perfection creates unrealistic expectations.

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And if you’re hyper-focused on others, you can lose sight of your own goals.

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Instead of comparing, you can:

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Use others as a source of inspiration.

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Celebrate what you love about yourself. Guess what? I will never have a bodacious, round butt (believe me, I’ve tried), but it’s OK! I like other things about my body.

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Awareness of your tendency to compare is crucial. Identify it, then actively shift your focus back to your own workout, what you love about yourself, what your body can do, what you have achieved and where you’re going.

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You’re perfect!