Do you find yourself constantly comparing your health and fitness journey to others? When you start a health and fitness journey, you’re going to want to get the most out of your workout, right? You’re going to want to try to do what you can to make the most changes, right? Well, it's easy to get caught up in comparisons, even in the middle of a workout. You might find yourself scrolling through Instagram, looking at fit influencers with chiseled abs and perfect lighting, and feel a twinge of jealousy or frustration.
Or maybe you’ve got a friend who seems to transform overnight while you’re stuck wondering why you aren’t seeing the same results. It’s time to put a stop to this cycle of comparison and focus on what truly matters – your own unique journey.
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You Need to Understand the Trap of Comparison
First off, it’s best to talk about why we fall into the comparison trap. It’s a natural human tendency. We compare because it gives us a point of reference, a benchmark to measure our progress. However, this often leads to feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. Yes, this is way more common than you might think!
So, social media exacerbates this issue by showcasing highlight reels rather than reality. Influencers and fitness models often share only the best moments, carefully curated to inspire or sell a product, not to depict the entire journey, which includes struggles, setbacks, and days off.
It's easy to allow social media to get inside of your head but the moment you become aware of this, it will help you stop comparing your health and fitness journey to others.
Even though you know a lot of this is fake, you don’t know what exactly is fake, so you might just assume that it’s all real, or you just might think, “All alright, this is fake for them, but I can make this real for me,” but it’s not always possible either.
Acknowledge Your Starting Point
You have to understand that everyone begins their journey from a different place. Your background, genetics, lifestyle, and even your past experiences with health and fitness play significant roles in how quickly and effectively you see results. Your journey from the start of the race might still be entirely different from someone else's. The finish line for you may still be a different finish line than it is for other people.
But overall, understanding and accepting your starting point is crucial. Maybe you’re coming from a place of no exercise and poor diet, or perhaps you’re recovering from an injury. Whatever your starting point is, it’s uniquely yours and should be the baseline from which you measure your progress.
You’ll Need to Set Realistic Goals Instead of Comparing Your Health
Now, the emphasis needs to be on the word “realistic’, so setting realistic, achievable goals is essential in staying motivated and keeping comparisons at bay. If you set a goal to lose one stone in a week because you saw someone else do it, you’re setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. Instead, focus on small, incremental changes.
This could be getting into the habit of taking Black Diamond Supplements on a regular basis so you can get enough protein and other components into your body daily; this could even be aiming to improve your endurance, such lift slightly heavier weights, or even incorporating more vegetables into your diet. These small wins add up over time and create sustainable, long-term habits that lead to lasting change.
Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small
This is what really gets people, they think that they should be proud of themselves for the weight they lost because they saw other people lose more weight or others who had bigger milestones. But honestly, who cares? You should think of every step forward is a victory.
Did you run an extra mile today? Did you resist the temptation to eat junk food? These are all significant accomplishments that deserve recognition.
Seriosuly, just by celebrating your own wins, you shift your focus from what others are doing to what you’re achieving. Keep a journal or use an app to track your progress. Seeing your own improvements in black and white can be incredibly motivating and affirming.
Understand That Everyone's Journey is Different
Now, this one just can’t be stressed enough! It’s important to remember that everyone’s body responds differently to exercise and diet. Some people might see results faster due to their genetic makeup, metabolic rate, or even previous fitness levels. But their lifestyle, and yes, stress levels, also have something to do with it!
No need to be comparing your health to others
So, just because someone else is progressing faster doesn’t mean you’re failing. Your body is unique, and your journey will be unique as well. Instead, it’s best to try and embrace it and remember that what works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s perfectly okay.
It’s Best to Limit Your Social Media Consumption
What’s the root of you wanting to compare yourself? For a lot of people, it tends to be social media. Is it the same for you, too? If social media is making you feel bad about your progress, it might be time to take a break or at least limit your exposure. For the most part, too much social media is bad for everyone’s mental health.
However, if you’re inclined to use social media then it might help to follow accounts that inspire you and promote a healthy, realistic view of fitness. but of course you can unfollow or mute those that make you feel inadequate. Social media should be a tool for inspiration, not a source of stress and comparison.
Try to Find Your Why
Why did you start your health and fitness journey? Was it to feel better, to be able to play with your kids without getting winded, or to improve your overall health? Whatever your reasons, keep them at the forefront of your mind. Your “Why” is your anchor.
Overall, when you’re focused on your personal reasons for embarking on this journey, you’re less likely to get distracted by what others are doing. Your journey is about you, and your reasons are valid and important. When you shift your mindset like this, it will help you stop comparing your health and fitness journey to others.
Surround Yourself with Positive Influences vs Comparing Your Health
For some people, this might be a bit more challenging than others, but it’s definitely going to be for the best if you’re able to just surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. This could be friends, family, or even a community of like-minded individuals who are also on their own fitness journeys. So, who is able to make you feel better?
Overall, positive influences can provide encouragement, celebrate your victories with you, and help keep you accountable. You could even turn towards an online community, such as a subreddit for example. Let us know if this article has helped you on your journey to stop comparing your health and fitness journey to others.
