Whoever said weight loss isn't a contest is a liar.

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Replies

  • brookielaw
    brookielaw Posts: 814 Member
    I will fully admit I compete with myself all the time, and yes, I am guilty of staging mental competitions against the swimmer in the next lane. I constantly push myself to pass, pace, or try to catch up. It feels really good when I can "tag" a fit person. It's human nature.

    Yep, I'm still the fat friend....but I'm the fat friend who can outswim the majority of my fit friends. I'm the fat friend who is getting healthier every day, and I'm the fat friend who has been accomplishing huge things. Weight loss is a competition with the old, sedentary, super morbidly obese, unhappy me. The prize in this competition is A GREAT LIFE and mine is pretty awesome right now. (See Icon. That's me on the left rappelling down an office building with a friend because I CAN DO THAT STUFF NOW!). It gets better every day. Win!
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    I will fully admit I compete with myself all the time, and yes, I am guilty of staging mental competitions against the swimmer in the next lane. I constantly push myself to pass, pace, or try to catch up. It feels really good when I can "tag" a fit person. It's human nature.

    Yep, I'm still the fat friend....but I'm the fat friend who can outswim the majority of my fit friends. I'm the fat friend who is getting healthier every day, and I'm the fat friend who has been accomplishing huge things. Weight loss is a competition with the old, sedentary, super morbidly obese, unhappy me. The prize in this competition is A GREAT LIFE and mine is pretty awesome right now. (See Icon. That's me on the left rappelling down an office building with a friend because I CAN DO THAT STUFF NOW!). It gets better every day. Win!

    Wow what an inspiring story! I can't believe that's you on the side of that building. Amazing!!! I know the fear of doing physical stuff when you're super obese. It hit me a few summers ago when I couldn't keep up with my husband and kids on a simple hike because I was so heavy my balance was off and I was deathly afraid of falling and breaking an ankle or a wrist. What an incredible feeling to be able to do stuff now that was out of the question before. Go you!! :drinker:
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    All of your stories are inspiring! I tried adding most of you, but there's a lot of you! :) Feel free to add me, you're all so great!
  • jillianbeeee
    jillianbeeee Posts: 345 Member
    my biggest competition is me! First time in my life I am doing something just for me :)
  • Sherunda
    Sherunda Posts: 2 Member
    Keep up the hard work
  • paotoa
    paotoa Posts: 6 Member
    I kinda wondered why some people give you a funny look while their working out...now I know. Its on people...you're going down ;)
  • TonyaPietrzak
    TonyaPietrzak Posts: 59 Member
    I do it ALL the time. Competition is fun when your doing it when the other person doesn't know it. It's motivation to me! I feel so scandalous :devil:
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    I'm about zero percent competitive, if anything becomes a race/contest, I immediately lose all interest. The only person I try to be better than is the person I was yesterday.

    However, if it works for you, keep doing it!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    It's only a contest against yourself. You can never compare yourself to other people--because you AREN'T those other people. You never will be. The best you can ever do is be the best YOU that you can be. So is it a contest? Yes, but only with the person you were yesterday.

    It's like what Einstein said:

    "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

    QFT

    Do what works for you...I just want to point out that not all former fat friends think this way. In fact, I can't identify with the OP's mentality one bit.
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    I do it ALL the time. Competition is fun when your doing it when the other person doesn't know it. It's motivation to me! I feel so scandalous :devil:

    I agree! I'm competing with my sister but I would never tell her that. She has a lot more time on her hands than I do. She doesn't work or go to school, so if she wanted to compete with me, she'd probably win just because of all the extra time she can spend working out. Me on the other hand, I work and go to school AND have a boyfriend (which I'll tell you, feels like a second job sometimes). Food is my comfort, but she doesn't really care if she eats or not. So no, I'd never tell her.
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    It's only a contest against yourself. You can never compare yourself to other people--because you AREN'T those other people. You never will be. The best you can ever do is be the best YOU that you can be. So is it a contest? Yes, but only with the person you were yesterday.

    It's like what Einstein said:

    "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

    QFT

    Do what works for you...I just want to point out that not all former fat friends think this way. In fact, I can't identify with the OP's mentality one bit.

    I love everyone's mentality about what works for them and what doesn't, I just would like to remind you that I'm still the "fat friend" and the "fat sister". But I'm not bitter about it, this post was just poking fun at myself. :)
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    To be honest, I made it a contest. And the prize was happiness and good health. At the gym, I picked an opponent (unbeknownst to them), if they went faster, or harder I followed suit. One things for sure, I was never the first off the machine. In kickboxing class, I selected an opponent who I deemed the best, then I mentally challenged them. This has helped me stay focused and driven.

    Now, I'm faster, more healthier, than most of the people in my immediate circle. That's huge, considering my sisters have never had a weight problem, and one is a former professional dancer and cheerleader.

    Whatever it takes to keep you motivated and inspired, I'm all for it!

    I love it! Keep up the great work!
  • HippieMamaOf2
    HippieMamaOf2 Posts: 61 Member
    To be honest, I had to stop looking at it as a contest with others. When you have a kidney disease like PKD, you know that you will always have a rounded stomach no matter how much weight you lose. As I have lost weight, my stomach actually looks bigger. Apparently my fat was disguising my huge kidneys. I have even had friends wish me good luck with my pregnancy. That one really stings due to the other issues I was dealing with in that area of the body, but that is another story.

    I had to look at it as a contest with myself. The important thing was not being skinnier than my friends, but rather to be a healthier version of myself. I remind myself that I'm not trying to become bikini worthy. I'm trying to become transplant worthy.
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    To be honest, I had to stop looking at it as a contest with others. When you have a kidney disease like PKD, you know that you will always have a rounded stomach no matter how much weight you lose. As I have lost weight, my stomach actually looks bigger. Apparently my fat was disguising my huge kidneys. I have even had friends wish me good luck with my pregnancy. That one really stings due to the other issues I was dealing with in that area of the body, but that is another story.

    I had to look at it as a contest with myself. The important thing was not being skinnier than my friends, but rather to be a healthier version of myself. I remind myself that I'm not trying to become bikini worthy. I'm trying to become transplant worthy.

    That's amazing, keep up the great work. I hope you get to your goal.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I compete with my past self.

    but the best part is when my past self totally high fives my current self, cause she is so dang impressed with me and my progress.
  • WISteph608
    WISteph608 Posts: 8 Member
    Hahaha - I do the same. I stay on the treadmill 15 extra minutes or increase my speed, etc. Whatever keeps you motivated!
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    My husband is like that when we run together. If someone passes us he has to speed up. I'm too busy looking out for rocks and tree roots to care - my competition is the elements. Can't wait for snow!
  • hulahoopmama
    hulahoopmama Posts: 140 Member
    I had a walking buddy but she had plastic surgery so my goal now is to look as good as her before she recovers without having to spend 10k!
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    I'm the tallest girl in my family (at 5'4", haha), and while I wasn't thin as a child, I certainly wasn't anywhere near overweight (started gaining at 16). My aunts would give my mom hand-me-downs for me to wear, but they never fit, size-wise OR length-wise. I always felt like like I was huge compared to them, but I look at pictures and know it was never true.

    That being said, I do think a little healthy competition is a good thing. Have a pal to work out with, challenge each other to small goals, and cheer each other on when the goals are met.
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    I've lost and maintained over 200 pounds and it was never a contest with anyone. I'm not a child.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I've lost and maintained over 200 pounds and it was never a contest with anyone. I'm not a child.

    NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE how you showed up to insult everyone in this thread because different things motivate them than you. that's not childish at all!!!
  • midwest_fittie
    midwest_fittie Posts: 25
    I've lost and maintained over 200 pounds and it was never a contest with anyone. I'm not a child.

    NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE how you showed up to insult everyone in this thread because different things motivate them than you. that's not childish at all!!!


    Get it girl! He's just fishin!

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