There are a lot of acronyms in my little life today! After Spinning I went to my doctor so she could read my MRI results.
MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging
My results:
“Thickening and amorphous signal intensity within the distal iliotibial band, with a large amount of soft tissue edema between the iliotibial band and the distal lateral femur, consistent with iliotibial band friction syndrome.”
ITBS = Iliotibial Band Syndrome
I’m glad to have an official diagnosis, since my PT first thought it was Runner’s Knee.
Now that I know exactly what is wrong with my knee I can correct it!
Lunch:
When I got back from the doctors it was time for lunch. I had a salad with chickpeas, balsamic dressing and a grilled cheesed on a bagel thin.
I was afraid of the cheese spilling out the middle, but it wasn’t too bad. This was the only bread I had thawed, so I had to make it work.
It’s all relative:
Yesterday at kickboxing class I ended up in a spot right behind a very pretty and skinny girl. It made me feel big in comparison.
Later, at PT – my physical therapist said she moved to DC from Canada and loves the short winters here. Ummm, you’re kidding me right? To this CA girl, this is the longest winter ever!
In yoga class I feel tight and inflexible compared to others – but I should focus on how much further I can stretch now versus when I started yoga.
When I’m in a race like the Disney Marathon, I always feel so slow when people pass me. But, I don’t think I’m fast when I pass other people.
The morale of the story is – don’t compare yourself to others. Be you.
You can think you’re fat or skinny or slow or fast or dumb or smart depending on how you compare yourself to others. But, we should not compare ourselves to others at all.
I have to admit I am very guilty of comparing myself to others. Even though I do not fat talk, I do often feel bad about myself because I’m not as fast, not as fit or not as thin as “that girl”.
Well, I’m not living “that girl’s” life. I am me. And I need to be me and not worry about how I compare to the people around me, the bloggers I think are fit and healthy, the movie stars – anyone.
You shouldn’t compare yourself to me, other bloggers, the girl in front of you at the check out line… anyone. And I shouldn’t do it either.
Do you. Be you. Be the best you possible and don’t worry about how that compares to anyone else.
Songs and Spinning:
One of the first songs during Spin class was a song that reminds me of an old boyfriend. Isn’t that weird when a song will remind you of someone?
Question: Do you compare yourself to people around you? To movie stars? Bloggers? Anyone?
Question II: Is there a song that completely reminds you of an old friend or ex?
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It is very hard not to compare ourselves to other people. I feel like I do it all the time to a ridiculous degree. Sometimes I need to give myself a break.
As for songs that remind me of people…A bunch of embarrassingly bad 80’s and 90’s songs remind me of my best friend from childhood. We loved early Madonna and other dance music. If I hear “Vogue” to this day, I still think of her. It also makes me nostalgic in a sad way because we haven’t talked in almost 10 years. *sniff*
AWESOME post, totally agree – though it is SO easy to get into compare-yourself mode without really even realizing it. But you’re right, just do you, be you, is a great mantra! I may steal it 😉
Thanks so much for the reminder to not compare to others. I have had the same thing in kickboxing – it should be such a kickass class where you can work everything out, but instead I have found myself getting frustrated when I get tired when the girls in front of me seem to have nonstop energy!
We should all focus on what we’re good at, and remember that there is probably someone else around us looking at US and saying, I wish I were like HER!
I try now to compete with myself rather than with other people. I push myself to go beyond what I think is my best.
I was with a musician before. A LOT of songs remind me of him. O.o
You better not be comparing yourself to others missy- you’re gorgeous!!! 🙂
I really liked this post- nice! So glad you were able to get a diagnosis. Bet you felt a big old sigh of relief. Let the healing begin!!!
~Christie (http://rollerkoesterrun.wordpress.com/)
What did they tell you to do for your IT band? I have an ‘unofficial’ diagnosis from my trainer, basically I do a lot of yoga to stretch the muscle, avoid lunges and squats (even tho I still do lunges occasionally!) and foam rolling up a storm. I just have to be careful when running, not to overdue it and increase mileage slowly.
Glad you at least have a solution for your pain! I do find myself comparing myself to others pretty often. Its good to check in and realize we are all different and have a great things to offer!
Oh yea, I think it’s hard to not compare ourselves to other people! Definitely something I wish I didn’t do though and something I consistently try to work on.
I´m happy you now know exacly what´s going on with your knee!
You just have to be patient now… Haha.
And you´re so right about beeing yourself and not comparing to others!
I used to do this all the time, and I felt so bad about my body…
That´s definetely a great advice 🙂
By the way, that grilled cheesed bagel thin looked amazing!
Did it taste as good as it looks?
😀
Have a great night!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
The funny thing is, the girl in front of you probably didn’t think “Wow I’m so awesome because I’m skinnier than so and so”.
I am terrible with comparing myself with others, it’s baaaad, very bad but I finally getting to grips with it.
You are so right when you say you live your life not someone else’s!
There will ALWAYS be someone who’s skinnier, larger, prettier, uglier than you so it’s incredibly stupid to compare yourself.
This is your life, your body and your mind, make the best of what you’ve been given by nature! 🙂
oh the comparisons i make are pretty numerous…as much as I hate to say it. love the post too.
I am REALLY BAD about comparing myself to others. When I race or workout I try to focus on improving myself, but its hard not to compare or at least compete…. I sometimes think its that I’m always competing and thus comparing.
Sorry about the ITB, hope it is feeling better soon! I know my IT bands get tight and I LOVE my foam roller to massage them.
Great topic to write about Monica! I wonder if ANYONE is free of the habit of comparing themselves to other women, and if they are, I would love to know what the secret is. I work on this every day, but I honestly don’t know if it’s possible for me to ever fully stop doing this… I think it will be a life long learning process!
1. When I’m running on the treadmill at the gym, I always compare how fast, how far, and what incline the people next to me are running at. It’s a bad habit and another reason why I hate treadmills!!
2. This song reminds me of a couple old friends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR__3BYYdr8
Justin Sane – Cassette Deck, Road Trip, Grand Canyon
Your post really spoke to me today, because:
1. I’m really craving a grilled cheese.
2. I’ve been battling with comparing myself to others a lot lately. Sometimes I do it in a way that feels good at first, because I’ll note that I’m more in shape/faster than someone else. But that still backfires because for one, I have no right to judge another person’s abilities since I don’t understand how their body works, and two, it puts me in the habit of judging myself relatively to other people, which is never a good trap to fall into.
3. Songs remind me of exes all the time. It’s actually kind of nice. They usually bring me back to happy times with someone I once cared about. I’m happy where I am now, but a good dose of nostalgia never hurt anyone!
Thanks Monica!
-Suz
Great post. I am guilty of comparing myself to other people all the time, girls at the gym especially. I alwasy try to figure out if I’m bigger/smaller/the same size as them and even go as far as to ask my sister to compare me to other girls so I can see where I’m at. It’s hard for me to look in the mirror and see what others see.
I’m glad you found out the cause of your knee issues, now onto the healing!
Yeah by Usher reminds me of my ex. Everytime I hear it I think of him dancing and laugh. Veritgo by U2 reminds me of him too and anything by the Police. He was a good guy, I’m glad we’re still friendly.
Great post. I am definitely guilty of comparing myself with other women–it is such a bad habit. I do it most at school or at the gym. It’s hard not to when from the outside it seems they might have the ‘perfect’ body, or life, or boyfriend, or group of friends.
It’s hard!
So glad you have legit results now with your injury! I know from experience how frustrating it is to not really know what is going on. For three years of my running in high school I was told I just had shin splints from the doctors, later to find out my senior year as it got worse that I had bilateral compartment syndrome and could’ve gone paralyzed if I kept running without getting surgery. Way to go doctors, epic fail!!!
I’ve definitely had songs reminding me of ex’s!! UGH sometimes the best songs too are ruined. But now I can listen and just say whatever to them because the songs are soo good anyway!
I hate when I catch myself comparing myself to other women. I always have a moment where I have to remind myself to stop doing that. For me, it was something that was started in middle school and it has become a habit that is really hard to break. I love the simple mantra of “do you.” Just two words and so true.
As for the song question, the song that goes “Jeremiah was a bullfrog …” always reminds me of an old friend. We aren’t ex-friends but I hardly see her anymore. We have drifted apart over the years but we used to sing that song on the bus in middle school.
great moral! it’s so hard to not compare and when i catch myself doing it i just say “hey well i bet she can’t do *this* as well as i can” everyone is so unique 🙂
Glad that you got a diagnosis. I had ITBS after my first half. Stretching is essential even after you feel 100%. What did your PT prescribe? I was told to stop running for 5 weeks. I came back faster & stronger!
I try not to compare myself to others. It’s hard but you’ll drive yourself crazy always comparing
Grass is always greener, huh? I’m naturally petite thanks to great genes, but I often notice I’m comparing myself to others. I think it’s natural and not always a bad thing – you can use it for inspiration or you can let it get you down. You just have to make that choice.
That’s exactly what I have too. Last year, I had ITB FS in my right leg, and now it seems to have magically disappeared in my right leg, but reappeared in my left leg (although much less serious). I’ve been foam-rolling the bejesus out of it, and it seems to be helping. Kickboxing last night with a good warm stretch afterward helped too.
I think that most of us compare ourselves to others…it seems like it’s second nature to do that. I think that there are times when this is a good thing (when it acts as motivation to be the best that you can be), but when it creates emotional damage within yourself, this is a bad thing (of course).
This is sort of a strange answer, but I believe that with age comes confidence. The ability to look at others less as a comparison and more as a learning tool comes with self-confidence. I am much more comfortable with myself now than I ever was in my 20’s, and I think that as women, we get better with age. I compare myself these days in a much different way that I ever did before (even directly after treatment). I tend to befriend the women who I am intimidated by rather than shying away from them. It has helped me to realize that we all have issues, regardless of how much someone else is coveting our best qualities.’
These days, I mostly just work with what I’ve been given, and focus on appreciating how rich my life is.
My high school boyfriend and I used to spend our time making mix tapes together – boy, do those songs bring back memories. Fortunately we both moved on in life, got married and still manage to keep in touch – no hard feelings.
Great post! It’s so hard to break the habit of negative thoughts. The worst is the “Why is that person so much thinner than I am when she sits on her ass all day while I work really hard and get no results?” You’re so right; stop comparing. I will replace that thought with something like this: “Look how strong I’m getting thanks to all my hard work!”
ooops… “be the best me I can be” 🙂
This is a very good reminder, I wish it was as east to do it as say it. I find that it sneaks up on me the most when I’m working hard and impatient about the journey and all about the goal. Just keep telling myself to just be me I can be (works for kindergarteners, why not me?) 😉
Not to knock anyone’s taste in music, but I took a spin class once that was all country and I was dragging ass through the whole thing. It’s amazing what gets you moving in musically driven classes.
And this is seriously the worst Maryland winter I can remember and I’ve been here 12 years.
I don’t compare myself to others in most circumstances, except sometimes its hard not to compare my eats to the eats of the SUPER healthy bloggers out there!
As far as running goes I’m slow as molasses and proud of it!
Just went to the Dr. about knee pain. He wrote me a ‘scrip for PT-he suspects IT Band trouble!
I am always trying to stop with the comparisons. Its automatic when I see a similar aged female. Why why why?
Favorite phrase: “It’s all relative.’ When really overweight people tell me I don’t need to lose weight that’s what I tell them. Just because I don’t need to lose 50 lbs doesn’t mean I don’t need to be healthier for my body type.
I’m so glad that you have an official diagnosis and can now work to fix it.
I compare myself to people all the time. It’s pointless, but so ingrained in me, I wouldn’t even know how to stop it. *Sometimes* comparision is good, in such a way that it might encourage you to work or train harder. Positive peer pressure? I tend to compare myself to those really put together mothers–the ones who are dressed nicely with every hair in place and have impeccably dressed children with nary a trace of lunch on their faces. I always feel like a schlub with my messy ponytail and child that prefers a more “laid back” approach to her appearance. But, I often try to remind myself that just because people are put together on the outside doesn’t mean they’re happy on the inside.
I don’t have a song that reminds me of a specific person, but that song “What is Love” by Haddaway always makes me feel sad and for the life of me, I cannot figure out why. I suppose I’ve repressed some sort of horrible teenage memory. 😉
Good to know what’s up with your knee! And that grilled cheese looks yummy. 🙂
For the record, Canadian winters last from about October to the end of April – give or take a few weeks. So it can be cold up to 7 months! It’s not fun but you do get used to it.
K
I am always comparing myself – it’s a horrible habit! Let us know if you discover any secrets to stopping the self-defeating thoughts, I know it’s unhealthy but I almost don’t notice I’m doing it until I catch myself. Mostly I compare my body to the girls I work with. They all dress perfect and subsist on lean cuisine all day.
That No Doubt “Don’t Speak” song ALWAYS reminds me of my HS boyfriend. HA! I still like that song though 😉
I definitely have caught myself doing that at the gym… it’s a college town and there are lots of super thin, tan, hot girls. Lately I try to tell myself like “well you can run for an hour! you are starting to get muscle definition in your arms!” and basically replace the negative ones with positive thoughts. I think magazines, TV, etc set us for it cause they are always encouraging us to see what some celeb does and try to look like her… or advertising “do you want this body?!” etc. I’ve liked reading blogs cause even though some are super fit and healthy, it is a more realistic world of healthy living than other venues. Sorryyy I’m ramblin! Now I catch myself comparing running times more than “skinniness.”
And songs remind me of SO much. There’s one song in particular that reminds me of a guy I dated while living in Australia. Its called Sand in my shoes by dido. Even though I’m happily in love, it pierces my soul!
I only compare myself to hot skinny girls and then i go eat a 10 pound bag of mini eggs. Make sense? Not so much.
great post.
I’m glad you got your MRI results back. Hopefully you’ll be able to correct it soon. Will this change your physical therapy at all?
I compare myself to others all the time. It’s frustrating. I run on the treadmill next to someone else and I sometimes glance at the speed they are doing and feel crappy because I can’t run as fast. It’s definitely something I need to work on.
I recently wrote a blog post about trying to learn how NOT to compare myself to others so much…it’s definitely a challenge for me!
http://www.healthforthewholeself.com/2010/02/start-where-you-are/
I am always comparing myself to others everywhere I go. And I even compare myself to other bloggers. Like I always think I’ll never be as fit as you or Caitlin (HTP) or MegaNerd. I really should stop that type of thinking! Last summer when I did 5Ks, I was always being passed by older people who looked like they were just shuffling along. It made me think “am I really going slower than THAT?” but I had to keep truckin’ along, and now I’m running so much further than 3.1 miles. We all have to start somewhere, right?
I recently had my heart broken by someone, and every song reminds me of him. ugh!
Have you read It’s Called a Breakup? I know I mentioned it before, but thought I’d say it again just in case you’re still in a crappy place with that.
Oh yeah, I’m a proud owner of that book. But it didn’t even get to the point where we were dating. He found out I was moving to Florida soon, so he ended it before it could start.
oh that was a really good post, so true I usually feel bad about myself when trying to be what someone else is…instead I should just be me!
Being you is the most important thing you can do! This is a great reminder.
And what a relief that they have pinpointed the problem
When I did my first 5k last October, I was being passed by so many people! I felt discouraged (especially when I saw a very old woman pass me!!) but when I got my results of the race, I did great! So now I try not to compare myself to others.