competitive people in your life

newhabit
newhabit Posts: 426 Member
in Motivation and Support
just wondered if any of you had the experience of trying to get healthier/more fit and then other people in your life start to make it kind of a competition as to who can be the most fit/weigh the least/eat the least, etc... if so, how have you dealt with it? does it bother you or motivate you? just curious if others have had this experience and if so, how it has affected them.

Replies

  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
    If you are on the treadmill next to me, then the answer is YES, we are racing. Just kidding!

    I have not had that problem really, and if anyone wants to eat the least, go for it, I like to workout in order to eat more.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,418 Member
    People seem to be competitive in everything, I know! That is one of my least favorite human traits. . .
  • newhabit
    newhabit Posts: 426 Member
    If you are on the treadmill next to me, then the answer is YES, we are racing. Just kidding!

    I have not had that problem really, and if anyone wants to eat the least, go for it, I like to workout in order to eat more.

    I am with you here. i like to workout to eat more but sometimes i notice eating less seems to be a competition with some people. like they will ask me how much i am eating so they can eat less... very annoying.
  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
    People are just annoying, like seriously.
  • LelaYang
    LelaYang Posts: 43
    Of course, others will use your goals/success as motivation to start themselves. Yes, there are definitely those that are "odd" about it. Comparing diets/exercises/events/results with yours...but don't let it get to you. Be happy that they are doing something for themselves, even though their motivating factor may be different than yours, and just focus on you. If you let them get under your skin, they will end up consuming you. I always try to motivate others to try to be more active, I lead by example more than by my Facebook posts or by telling everyone that I'm trying to get back in shape. You can do it!
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    I have this one acquaintance who is constantly "one upping" me. I do 10k, he's done 12. I've raced a half marathon, he's raced a full. I personally think he's full of *kitten*.

    Try not to compare yourself to others. You are on your own journey. There is always going to be someone better.
  • mirandamayhem
    mirandamayhem Posts: 772
    I just give them a wide berth for a while.
    I don't do competition, because I've never succeeded in winning, so I sort of set myself up for failure, I know.
    Supportive friends are a different kettle of fish. I've got one who's wanting to lose a stone, and we're going to hit the gym together. She isn't competitive with me, I'm not going to feel I'm being put down by her if I have a rough time.
    Another friend on the other hand, I almost feel wants to knock my small accomplishments down and make me feel bad about myself. So I'm just having a time out. She may not even be aware she's doing it, it's just how I feel, and rather than upset things or rock the boat, I just take a step back until I feel I'm in a more confident space.
    I know I'm in this for the long haul now, and welcome the people who join me on this path, but equally expect people to come and go as with any part of life. So I ignore the competitors, it's just not my bag.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    Friendly competition is one thing because it can push you harder however, people that constantly seem to want to "one-up" you is downright annoying. I feel like saying, "No one really cares so get over yourself." I'm doing this for me and me alone - there are always gonna be people who are stronger, faster, fitter, etc. than me but who the heck cares? I'm in competition with me. Plain and simple.
  • heatheralia
    heatheralia Posts: 79 Member
    Personally, I wish some of my family members would try to jump in and be competitive with me. I ask them to go running with me or lift with me and usually get a "no thanks".
  • newhabit
    newhabit Posts: 426 Member
    Friendly competition is one thing because it can push you harder however, people that constantly seem to want to "one-up" you is downright annoying. I feel like saying, "No one really cares so get over yourself." I'm doing this for me and me alone - there are always gonna be people who are stronger, faster, fitter, etc. than me but who the heck cares? I'm in competition with me. Plain and simple.

    this is where i'm at with it but just wondered other people's experiences. my feeling is that the person in question is really insecure and wants to be in competition because it makes her feel better somehow. like somehow if she "eats less" or even 'weighs less' than that makes her better... i wish she didn't think that way. i also find the asking me questions all the time to be pretty annoying and wish she would leave me alone. i honestly dont' care what she does at this point but she keeps telling me. i am not sure what to say to her anymore. thankfully i dont' see her every day so it's not that big a deal... just irritating.

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