Headstrong Health: The Psychology of Getting Fit

1. You’re going to do it anyway

Comparing ourselves to another person is natural. Human brains categorize everything; it’s how we make sense of life. The act of comparison is just one of the ways we organize our reality.

2. It is a great mirror

No matter what you see in another person, that quality is part of you. How would you recognize signs of anger, for example, if you hadn’t ever experienced it yourself? Your reactions to others are directly due to your projections onto them. They are a reflection of YOU. Of your values, of your highest goals, of your hidden desires, and of the parts of you you don’t want to acknowledge in yourself. Start looking at others in this light- as an extension of yourself, and it can change your entire existence.

3. It can force you to look within

Being around others is a great way to perform self-checks and tune into our inner dialogue. Checking your reactions to others can be your tool to catching yourself in negative self talk. If you are someone who tends to focus on the other person, remember: Sometimes, we may think we are judging the other person, when really we are judging ourselves. Try to watch your thought patterns, as well as engage yourself in the practice of extending love to those whom your attention is drawn.

4. Jealousy is admiration in disguise

There are two forms of social comparison: upward (comparing to a celebrity) and downward (“there’s always someone worse off than me”). Take a close look at someone you feel jealous toward. How do you react? You may feel discouraged and make excuses for yourself, or spiteful and try to put the other person down. However, if you get down to it- jealousy is admiration of another human being. If you look at the 5 people you are most jealous of, you will find aspects of your highest self. Somewhere inside you, you know you could embody those qualities. If you are jealous of an inspirational fitness model who does youtube videos, you know that you possess the potential to be that.

5.  Seeing others’ efforts is motivating

Upward social comparison serves a great purpose. Once you’ve realized that you have the potential to embody the traits you admire, comparing yourself to others can be extremely motivating. Just think- someone else did it! Someone else reached YOUR goal. A normal human being pushed him or herself to the limits and got there.. when you recognize they’re at the finish line you want to be closer to, you start to push yourself harder.

5. It’s enlightening

Allowing yourself to compare to others and then becoming aware of it can make you more conscious of who you surround yourself with. “But I’m better than them!” can be a tricky way to make excuses and stay static. If you are healthy, but not at your goal weight, and you hang out with friends who are overweight and not concerned.. you may be better-than-average, but you know deep down you are not the-best-you-can-be. Paying attention to who you’re around will allow you to make lifestyle changes to be the best you of your whole world, not just the best of your small community.

6. It’s humbling

When used in the right context, “There are others who have it way worse than I do,” can be a tool for altruism and gratitude. Gratitude, across all faiths and all psychologies, is your fast-track to fulfillment.

7. It’s interesting

Differences make the world go round. Uniqueness is a universal trait. Comparing and recognizing another person’s differences makes you aware of just what fantastic variations of humans we all are. Embracing another’s differences is like looking at puzzle pieces and seeing how they fit into the synergy of life.

8. It gives you more to choose from

If everyone was stuck in the same old routine, how would anyone know that life could be different? If misery loves company, and no-one ever lived a happy, fulfilled life– how would we know that life is possible?

9. We are all one.

Recognize the way your lives connect and are affected by others. When it comes down to it, we are all part of one big whole.