Feeling of being beat!

saundts

I have been going to the gym for about 2-3 times a week, I spend over an hour doing cardio on the treadmill, I can't help being beat by the person next to me, I am a male, mid 40's, I seldom get people(mostly women) who use the treadmill next to me who run on the treadmill faster than me. Should I feel ashamed of this, I do feel less of a person knowing this person is beating me and feel somewhat discouraged. What do you all think?

kommodevaran

I think it sounds stressful. And I should know, because I have had social anxiety and I recognize the thought pattern.

TavistockToad

saundts wrote: »

I have been going to the gym for about 2-3 times a week, I spend over an hour doing cardio on the treadmill, I can't help being beat by the person next to me, I am a male, mid 40's, I seldom get people(mostly women) who use the treadmill next to me who run on the treadmill faster than me. Should I feel ashamed of this, I do feel less of a person knowing this person is beating me and feel somewhat discouraged. What do you all think?

i think comparison is the thief of joy

urloved33

i think you should compete with yourself...and only yourself.

tinkerbellang83

I tend to throw my towel over the display so I can't see what the stats are and just check the time every now and again, mostly because I clockwatch otherwise, it could help you to stop comparing.

And also there is this:

jennifer_417

I think you shouldn't pay any attention at all to the person on the treadmill next to you. They didn't come to the gym to race you. Worry about yourself.

yukfoo

Concentrate on your fitness goals. If it's important for you to be the fastest runner on the treadmill then focus on that and your fitness level will increase. You're the only one who cares that your not the fastest. Remember...There's always going to be someone younger, faster, stronger.

LivingtheLeanDream

Why compare, just do you.

MelanieCN77

If the person next to you is fitter than you, what does that have to do with anything?

garystrickland357

Why are you exercising? Who is it for? Are you doing it to "beat" some random stranger?
Seriously - chill out. I know if I'm on a treadmill or a run outside I couldn't care less about what someone else is doing. Some (many) are faster than this 57 year old guy. And? So?

Also some days I cruise along at a 12 min/mile pace, some days I crank up the heat and go 9.5 min/mile. I'll probably never be faster than that. So who's impressed if you "outrun" me on a 12 min/mile day? As far as that goes, who's impressed if you run a 7 min/mile compared to my 9.5? Correct answer: Nobody

I've lost 65 pounds and I'm healthier now. That's what matters. Exercise for the health and fitness goals you set for yourself - that's it.

If you want to see how good you are - if that's important to you - enter a race. That's legitimate.

jemhh

saundts wrote: »

I have been going to the gym for about 2-3 times a week, I spend over an hour doing cardio on the treadmill, I can't help being beat by the person next to me, I am a male, mid 40's, I seldom get people(mostly women) who use the treadmill next to me who run on the treadmill faster than me. Should I feel ashamed of this, I do feel less of a person knowing this person is beating me and feel somewhat discouraged. What do you all think?

What the person on the next treadmill is doing has no effect on your life and you shouldn't be dreaming up drama like this. Seriously, nobody cares if they "beat" you at treadmill walking or running or if you "beat" them. The majority of the people on the treadmills wouldn't even be able to recognize you as the their treadmill neighbor once your workout is over. MYOB and your life will be easier.

AnvilHead

I think you should stop looking at the treadmill next to you. They're not you and you're not them.

aokoye

saundts wrote: »

I have been going to the gym for about 2-3 times a week, I spend over an hour doing cardio on the treadmill, I can't help being beat by the person next to me, I am a male, mid 40's, I seldom get people(mostly women) who use the treadmill next to me who run on the treadmill faster than me. Should I feel ashamed of this, I do feel less of a person knowing this person is beating me and feel somewhat discouraged. What do you all think?

Two things, it is normal for people to be better at you than things. That's especially true if they've done the thing for a longer period of time. It doesn't matter their gender (this reminds me oh so much of "a woman road past me when I was riding my bike!" on some cycling forums). That's life and that's ok. You have no idea what their situation is and the same is true of them and their not knowing about your situation.

Additionally I'll echo everyone else who has said to not pay attention to what other people are doing. Or at least try not to. There are essentially two times when I get distracted when doing cardio things (primarily that means using the rowing machine) at the gym. Either when someone is clearly rowing incorrectly on a machine next to me or when I'm afraid that someone is going to fall off the treadmill in front of me. I use the rowing bit as an excuse to better focus on what I'm doing and not on what someone who I don't know is doing. I use the treadmill senario as a reminder to turn the erg around the next time I use it (so I'm facing the wall as opposed to the treadmills).

anl90

I know it might not be so easy, but try to just focus on yourself. Comparing yourself to others is a dangerous road to go down. YOU are what your focus should be on. As long as you feel like you are doing well, that is all which should matter!

PAV8888

saundts wrote: »

I have been going to the gym for about 2-3 times a week, I spend over an hour doing cardio on the treadmill, I can't help being beat by the person next to me, I am a male, mid 40's, I seldom get people(mostly women) who use the treadmill next to me who run on the treadmill faster than me. Should I feel ashamed of this, I do feel less of a person knowing this person is beating me and feel somewhat discouraged. What do you all think?

You just finished the NY marathon in less than 3.5 hours.

You're such a loser. Thousands of people finished ahead of you.

Wow! Excellent self talk!

Guaranteed to drain happiness out of your life.