059: Who Are You Comparing Yourself To?

Perspective changes everything we do and how we do it.  We naturally compare ourselves with others or with previous versions of ourselves.  We judge workouts and difficult trials before they start. We name things hard or comfortable.  We predetermine how stressful an event will be. Shaping the way we interpret every event in our lives, the perspective we bring to all situations is incredibly important.  

In this episode, we start discussing our personal comparisons.  We cover how social media can lead us to a comparison with someone else’s edited and ideal world.  Social media is starting to actually show some reality, but still is filled with the opportunity to create a comparison that is simply impossible to reach.  

Another form of comparison is the downward comparison.  In this version, we protect ourselves by making sure that we only make comparisons to people we already feel we are better than.  While it works as a nice boost to our self-esteem, this comparison will never push us to reach a higher potential.

The third comparison is the immediate comparison to our personal peer group or ourselves.  This comparison is usually done based on clear numbers such as a personal best in a race or the number on a scale.  In a new health venture, finding a peer group is not always easy. Those around you may too be far ahead, or you may be starting as fast as the veterans.  We discuss the limits and pitfalls of your local peer group.

We move on and discuss taking extreme perspectives.  The phrases “hardest thing is the world” or “worst thing in the world” get thrown around far too often.  By naming workouts or races with such extremes, you basically acknowledge before you even begin, that you will not succeed.  Putting your workout is perspective of the hardships in the world around you allows you to take off some of the pressure of a big race, or missing the last mile repeat by a few seconds.  

The extreme discussion continues as we bring up running for a cause.  With this episode in October, we are surrounded by breast cancer races and walks.  It’s clear that overcoming cancer is a much greater battle than a local 5k and major medical issues can definitely change your perspective on running.  

Personally, running after my seizures has been a struggle that I am still working my way through.  When the doctor told me that training to extremes may be an issue, I started to pull

Join the Real Life Runners Team today! 

https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.