How many times have people said “It’s not a competition!” when they’re talking about various things in our lives? Did any of us really believe it? Did we just automatically stop ‘competing’? I know I haven’t.
Here’s the deal, folks. I am in a competition every single day. With my brain. The thoughts in my head that tell me that “a little bit of cheese won’t hurt” or “you can have a splurge DAY instead of a meal because you’re going to the gym 3 days this week” and, my all time favorite… “you just ran 200 meters. Eat that piece of bread. You deserve it.”
My brain is always telling me what I want but, thankfully, my body knows differently. I can be my own worst enemy. I can be my worst critic (ok, I AM my worst critic). I have to fight daily to not slide backwards.
Just yesterday I was out and about running errands and I needed to eat something around 2 pm since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. I stopped at McDonalds and decided on a hamburger and a child’s chocolate shake. Now… I haven’t had actual ice cream in over a year and I haven’t had a milkshake since New Years and it didn’t make me feel good. But, I had a craving so I was going to indulge. No big deal, right? THANKFULLY – the shake machine was down. I couldn’t get one because the machine wasn’t working. God looking out for me? A mysterious higher power standing in the way of my unhealthy eating habit? A guardian angel looking out for my belly?
Listen, I’m not saying don’t eat cheese or don’t have a milkshake. What I AM saying is take a look at what you’re putting in your mouth. Are you happy with it? Are you comfortable with your eating habits? Are you losing weight? Are you reaching your goals? Do you feel guilty if you skip a gym day just because you don’t want to or you saw the WOD and thought “NO WAY!”? Do you make excuses? Tally up your answers. Are you living your best life? Is the membership to 13 Stripes paying off for you? If it isn’t, it’s time to take inventory. It’s time to stop competing with yourself and really get the work in.
When I joined the gym we had to restructure our budget at home. A lot of people thought I was crazy BUT I knew I wasn’t. I knew that I had to end the internal dialogue; the competition and get off my butt and do something about my weight. I decided that I was worth it and it has paid off 10 fold for me. It can do the same for you. You just need to get out of your own way. Yes. You. I’m talking to you.
I’ll be seeing you at the box!!! Come workout with me!
#fromcouchtofitness #mystandardsmyway #nocompetitionforme #youcantbreakmystride
Thanks for this! Yesterdays’WOD sucked for me, I am glad I did not see what it was before I got to the gym, and I did not even make it halfway through, rowing mostly instead of running. Very discouraging…commence internal dialogue…..I needed to read this today! Thanks for your words of wisdom
Nichole – it’s SO easy for us to get discouraged, isn’t it? We think in our heads that something is going to go well for us and then, when it doesn’t, we’re disappointed. I know that feeling all too well. I’ve shed many tears because a WOD didn’t go as I had expected. So, let’s re-focus and make this a positive, shall we? 1. You SHOWED UP. 2. You PUT IN WORK. 3. You DIDN’T QUIT. 4. You ran AND rowed.
It’s so hard to change our internal dialogue. Years of beating ourselves up… or years of other people beating us up… it’s easier to believe the bad stuff. I will help you change that dialogue. We’re ALL here to help you change it. One rep at a time, my friend! You’ve got this! xoxoxoxo