On this blog I write about my experiences as a teacher in the fitness world and the many challenges that come with taking care of myself. Teaching is an extremely unhealthy profession. It's a problem. It's hard for teachers to take care of themselves. Many people in my field struggle with this. On here I write about what works for me. If you're interested in seeing my earlier posts, check the archived posts to the right! Last week I wrote three posts: BE SELFISH, TRAIN THE MIND, and INTERMITTENT FASTING. Today I'll be writing about the importance of NOT comparing yourself to others!
I have to give credit to my wife (again, who is also a teacher) for coming up with the idea for today's post. This is a pitfall many people fail to avoid. It's surprising to me that in a society and culture that places soooo much emphasis on individual achievement, people struggle so much with this concept. Here's what I mean: in America we are mostly brought up to appreciate ourselves as the unique individuals that we are. Children are reminded constantly how special and unique they are. "There's no one in the world like you" may have been something you heard often as a child if you were fortunate enough to have a loving parent or guardian. Yet, we forget this when we get older and our appearance becomes a more pressing concern. We constantly compare ourselves to others instead of focusing inward and focusing on the process of making exercise habitual in nature.
We look at the guy or the girl in the bowflex commercial and begin to grow impatient when our own bodies don't look the same instead of remembering THAT WE ARE UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS! If you ever pay attention, they include in tiny/almost transparent letters at the bottom of the screen during those fitness contraption commercials the words: "results may vary", FOR GOOD REASON!! In other words: you MIGHT NOT LOOK LIKE THIS PERSON AFTER USING THIS DEVICE. It's almost laughable. Unfortunately, constantly comparing ourselves to others instead of appreciating the unique individuality of our own bodies becomes a pitfall to many during their fitness journey BECAUSE THEY GIVE UP!
They say: "well, I don't look like the guy/girl in the bowflex commercial, and I've been at this for weeks...I might as well quit now". It's infuriating to me that people so often fail to realize that no two bodies are the same and they probably will never look exactly like that person in the commercial or the supermodel on the TV screen! That's not what fitness is about, people!!! If you are looking to get into better shape, know this now: it can NEVER BE ABOUT LOOKING LIKE SOMEONE ELSE! You will not make it if that's what you are doing this for. The pursuit of physical perfection is about creating the most physically perfect version of YOURSELF that you can possible create! It's about becoming the best possible version of YOURSELF! As long as you keep that in mind, it will be easier to stay motivated day after day. It will be easier to keep grinding on the road or at the gym if you turn a blind eye to the physical make up of others and worry only about yourself. That's all I have for today keep grinding! If you are looking to begin your journey, get in the game! Don't put it off another day! If you're a beginner try this:
10 minutes of static stretching
10 minutes of walking
10 minutes of jogging
10 minutes of static stretching
Best Wishes,
Fit Teacher
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