I’m still figuring out the best post-boot camp plan for running. I don’t eat before camp (it’s too early), by the time it’s over I’m starting to get hungry but I want to get in a run before eating. Yesterday I immediately ran after camp, today I went home for food first. 
Egg scramble with onions, mushrooms and cheese w/ PB&PB on the side. 
Then, I set out for a tempo run, but my legs are still tired from this weekend. I really should have done an ice bath because my recovery is lagging 
I ended up doing 5.5 miles slow and walking a cool down .5.
Since my local health food store isn’t carrying my fave protein powder I decided to try a new flavor in an individual packet before I have to commit. Yeah, it’s not good. It’s overly sweet and tastes artificial. I’m so glad I didn’t buy the entire container.
I still ate it, even though my first thought was that someone was trying to poison me. I guess I’d be an easy person to kill via food.
My PB PrOatbran was featured on Fitness Magazine’s website today! 
I don’t know if it’s all the New Year’s Resolutions or blogs with “2012 Goals” posts, but I am in a major comparison funk this week. I’ve been comparing my goals, my eating habits and my exercise to others. I know it’s dumb and we are all different. I should do my own thing – and I do. But, this week I don’t feel as healthy or fancy or fast or fit as others. I’m trying to fight the funk!
Question: How do you stop yourself from comparing to others (bloggers, friends, family, TV)?
If it’s a blog or TV show I try to avoid it for a while. I realize it’s about me, not them and I need to get out of my funk first.
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Tell you what, just compare yourself to me and you will immediately feel better.
You have a better beard than me
Ugh, I compare myself too much. So and so is training harder than me or they have more blog views than me. I try to channel it into motivation for me rather than jealousy. And I try to be their friend so that the vibes will rub off on me.
Seriously though, I work to make the comparison be to my advantage. Ok so they run 50 miles a week… can I run 50 miles a week? Probably not, but it’s something I aspire to be able to do someday. Fuel for the fire, baby.
Wow, I’ve gone through the same thing lately. With both online comparisons AND real life. Last night I went to yoga and stood behind this acrobatic goddess who made me feel like quitting yoga for life. haha.
The good thing is, I’ve got my husband who demands that I stop comparing the very moment I start. He lectured me when I came home from yoga (in a good way) and reminded me that the moment I start comparing myself, that’s when I start to lose progress. It creates undue stress that can be avoided and stunts the growth and progression I could have with out it.
So I tried ignoring those feelings I had and just moved on. You gotta just put all that out of your mind!
thanks for this post girl, if anything it’s good to know I’m not the only blogger who feels like that!
Your husband is a smart man! Sounds like you two balance each other really well.
I do that all the time too. I’ve been in a major funk lately, largely because of comparing. It’s hard to get out of too. I think we have to remember to be kind to ourselves and to celebrate our own victories (no matter how small).
I completely understand. Last week I fell down a rabbit hole of comparison brought on by the bombardment of “new year, new you” mantras going around. It is easy to slip into that. I think realizing it is the first step in fighting of those feelings, because ultimately we have to find out what works for us!
I tend to compare myself to some ideal standard I’ve created in my head, but I don’t really feel influenced by others. I try to remind myself not to be my own enemy and embrace my accomplishments.
Oh yeah, I know the feeling. Today a friend of mine wanted to compare eating habits and well, I actually managed to write down what I ate today and yeah – she was pretty surprised how much I actually eat. (I am a short girl at 4’11 and I run around 45 Miles a week – so yeah I need a lot of fuel.)
But I don’t care.
I always “long” to be more like this and that. I want thicker hair, I want skinnier legs (where your thighs don’t touch), I want, I want. Of course I won’t have thicker hair..and my thighs will always touch until I am dead. I am just made that way.
So..I try to keep positive..at least I am skinnier than she is. I like my hair color more than his…oooh but he has nicer eyelashes…sorry..back on track…I am happy that I am taller than he is…
It happens to me more often than I would want…like when I compare my egg sandwiches to your works of art!
In all seriousness though, I’m sure you have already heard it but you ROCK chickie! We all fall into comparison traps. I have to stop myself and remind myself that their journey is not mine. Easier said than done sometimes!
happens to all of us…I just blogged about food guilt and non resolutions! do the best that you can do! i’m sure someone is comparing themselves to you, and wishing/hoping they ran as much or had the motivation to go to bootcamp! don’t be too hard on yourself!
I was doing that a lot when I was injured and couldn’t run. I basically stopped reading running blogs because I’d get mad and depressed reading marathon recaps.
It sucks to compare ourselves to others!
I did this before, but with all that comparison, we’ll perish from trying to keep up with everybody’s everythings! Instead, I’ve started focusing more on what makes me… me. Nobody can beat you and being you!
I used to get into comparison funks, but then I realized that what I’m doing works for me, and that’s all that matters. If I run too much, I get injured. If I lift too much, I get bulky. I have found the perfect mix, and so I don’t need to compare myself, because I have found my own groove.
It is a lot less than most people do, but it works! Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke, ya know?
And heck, one week of bad eating or lack of exercise is not going to ruin a long-term healthy lifestyle.
I totally know what you mean – I’m guilty of comparing myself to other bloggers all the time. I think since my blog is still new, I feel like I need to make it like all the blogs I love for it to be successful. I know that it’s unnecessary pressure on myself, because I should just make my blog MINE and no one else’s!
I’ve stopped trying to compare myself to other runner/ bloggers b/c I’ve finally admitted to myself that I’m not built the same as them. (I’m talking about weight.) I might only be 5’3 and my BMI at my current weight tells me I’m obese, but even if I lose the 20 lbs that I’m after, I’m still considered in the overweight range. I am short and stalky and I can’t compare myself to the short and thin runner out there. They may be faster than me b/c they are lighter but I have to accept that and just work on bettering my times and enjoying those successes.
Keep your chin up. We are all (most of us) in this battle together.
So glad you brought this up. Like Laura said, I try to use it for motivation instead of making it a downer. There’s a pro triathlete whose blog I read and who inspires me (www.californiatraining.blogspot.com) and I sometimes say to myself “what would Beth do?” when I’m thinking about bailing on a run or having a 7th cookie. It totally helps to think about the work that other people put in to get to where they are as motivation to “do the work” myself.
I’m totally with you on the comparisons! Maybe it’s a girl thing, but I think that it’s HORRIBLE the way we do this to ourselves!
That’s why I’m not posting any of my training times for my upcoming race. I don’t want to compare or be compared to.
I used to be bad with comparing myself to others but I seem to have gotten over that hurdle. Others will always be fitter, run longer and faster than me. I am where I am and try to just be motivated by others, not compare myself negatively to them…getting rid of dailymile really helped with that too!
If you want to feel better about your goals, you can compare yourself to me. Haha! I just remind myself that everyone is doing their own ‘thang and I just keep doing my ‘thang and make sure I’m loving every minute of it!
I would defiantly eat after boot camp and before the run. I would personally eat before boot camp too even if it was just a cliff bar or something. By the time that you are finished bootcamp you blood sugar is probably low and it will be near impossible to get a good run workout in. If your only goal is weight loss you may be ok but you are a runner and if you want the training session to count you need to put gas in the tank.
First of all, everyone falls into the comparison trap! Especially us ladies.. it’s a hard life. When I catch myself slipping, I try to think of things in perspective. Okay, I’m not the healthiest, but 90 percent of American’s are way less active and eat way more crap than I do! When you only focus on the healthy living world, it’s easy to feel a little sub-par (dude, people can run sub 3:30 marathons!) BUT take it to the real world and you’ll notice that you’re way above average
hope that helps!
OH and remember that people probably compare themselves to you too!
I use your blog as a comparison all the time to inspire me…just sayin’! If I picked favourites…
PS that oatmeal looks amazing.
i love that you are eating that with a yogurtland spoon!
I think the thing that hit me the most was what someone said at the healthy living summit. We all read all these blogs of amazing athletes and forget our own accomplishments. Normal people don’t run half/full marathons. What you are doing is amazing and something most people are in awe of.
Ugh…I know what you mean. I’ve been working my butt off training for the AZ RnR marathon and a friend of mine who is gonna run it also has totally slacked in training and just busted out a long run at a away faster pace than I’ve been able to do. Rude! But…I just have the mental battles with myself. I run because I love it…because I like to do better than myself….because it makes me healthy. I don’t do it to compete or break records. Then I feel better. Just gotta keep emit ding myself, my only competition is myself!
Ah Mon, hugs and of course I could tell you so many things, but I know it’s always harder said than done. Just think, you did a boot camp and ran today, 4 days after a half marathon! you’re a monster woman! i barely ran 3 miles yesterday!
That someecard is kind of my life…
I made it up
Ha! Clever girl you are lady, loves it!
I think one way to stop comparing yourself is to take a media break. Stop looking at blogs, magazines, articles, etc….until you have time to really think about what you want and make your own goals. Then when you see other people’s goals you won’t compare yourself because you have made a firm resolution that is all yours, and not influenced by others. I don’t know how realistic this is for someone in your line of work, but for me it works. Hmmm….or at least helps!
I agree with what someone else said already. If someone is better than me (and there are plenty that are) I use it as motivation to get better and to work harder. There will always be someone better than you in one way or another. Just remember that it works both ways. You may be better at some other things that they are not
Just remember that everyone sucks at running when compared to Shalane Flanagan ;).
And she’s super cute. I give up.
I compare myself to, well, myself. I ask if what I’m currently doing is the best I’ve ever done. Is the my best healthy eating? Is this fastest I’ve ever run? Is this the heaviest I’ve ever lifted? You get the point.
I like this reminder idea!
what i think really helps is getting a voodoo doll and wishing bad things upon them.
that or watching more real housewives of BH.
I think that’s one of the reasons I set goals for myself, so that I can remind myself to focus on my goals and not someone else’s. It’s so easy to get sucked into that comparison trap, but there is always someone faster, stronger, more popular, etc than you. But there’s someone faster, stronger, more popular, etc than them too – so it’s really a vicious cycle that nobody wins. Just focus on you and getting better at your pace.
Hi Monica! I’m in such an all around funk! I’m having do much trouble getting back to healthy eating habits now that the holidays are over, and I haven’t pinned down any goals for 2012 as yet. I hate this feeling!! I hope you snap out of your funk soon!
I think is a great post! That was my life in a nutshell growing up overweight. Frankly, it’s something that I still have to fight against. I finally realized that my life and journey are not going to look like everyone else’s and I am so thankful for that and I feel very unique when I think about it.
Again, great post…:)
I have been reading yours thinking I need to step it up.
just think about how much you’ve improved as a runner and compare yourself to yourself. You run a lot of races and I feel like you have a very healthy attitude towards your goals. You’re improving and that’s what matters. I like what OUal put on her blog header…”it’s the life between the miles that count.”
When I want to feel better about myself I just watch “keeping up with the kardashians.”
Keep it real… I can barely read some of these blogs anymore because seemingly reasonable people have turned into body nazi’s and are barely relatable to real folks who have struggles, eat cookies, have full time jobs, and think cross fit is for crazies!
Honestly, thats why I love reading your blog you keep it real . Whenyour down you tell us when your up you tell us. Some blogs make me feel like I.m not working out hard enough or I feel guilty if I’m not eating squeeky clean etc. thanks for being one of those blogs where I get a laugh and can relate to!
I hear ya…but I think it’s OK to compare yourself to others. I just wouldn’t see it as a ‘funk’ but as more of a goal. If there’s another blogger that you really respect/like times/eating habits you can try them slowly, decide if it works for you, follow through or not, and move on with your life
I definitely feel like this happens to everyone. I’ll feel really great about a run or my cooking and then I’ll read blogs and see how much faster they are or how much prettier their food is. Something I try to remind myself is that somewhere (maybe?) someone is thinking the same thing about me–not in a “I’m so great” way, but in a I’ve come a long way and I’m sure there are others out there who are at a different place and think where I’m at is awesome. I often read your blog and think about how I wish I was speedy and funny like you!
This is the picture…I accidentally sent the wrong link before!
http://perezhilton.com/2012-01-10-abc-is-holding-off-on-cutting-general-hospital-for-now#.Tw3B3JgTszY
Hey! Quit comparing yourself to others. You know that will not do you any good. You ran 5.5 miles. I only ran 3. That means if you compare yourself to me, you did better, so remember that!
Wow, thank you for this post, I have really be struggling with this same feeling lately.
I overindulged this holiday season, and now I am struggling to get myself on track and recommit to my healthy lifestyle.
Growing up obese and having lost the weight through diet and exercise I always compare myself to others.Now it’s become a destructive habit I really want to commit to breaking. I want to foster MY inner voice that gives me approval and know that being me is enough.
I am so surprised how many other folks struggle with these issue too, and appreciated reading everyone’s tips.
I sometimes fall into the comparison trap, but the only way I’ve been able to fully let go of it is to remind myself that I’m not meant to be good at everything. Finding my exact thing would be nice, but I can’t compare myself to those who have found theirs. <- which totally sounds like a downer typed out, but I don't mean it to be!
Your not-so-tasty protein bowl with Rice Krispies has me wanting to make some Rice Krispy treats! BTW, what protein powders do you suggest? I’ve been wanting to try one…