Remember how the "goal for Project 10 is to create a support group that encourages and inspires women to make healthy choices?"
One way I can encourage and inspire healthy choices in myself is to stop comparing my body to those of other women.
Take for example Samantha and myself.
Samantha is the fitness advisor for Project 10. She just started a brand new personal trainer business, runs marathons, and eats super healthy food. Sam is very fit, and at a healthy weight for her 5'5" frame.
It would be so easy for me to compare my body to Samantha's and allow negative thoughts to take root.
Thoughts like: "I'll never be as thin as Sam is." "If I were as tall as Sam, I'd be thin, too." Or "If I didn't have kids, I could work out every day and run marathons."
Once those negative thoughts took root I'd turn to a giant bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough to comfort myself.
The truth is Samantha and I are both unique. We have very different body frames, lifestyles, and metabolisms. We've also made different choices.
It's hard to tell from this photo but Sam is 5'5" and I am 5'0." Seriously, 5 inches is a big difference. An extra pound or two on her frame is not as obvious as it is on my frame. Don't believe me?
We both weigh right around 135 pounds. Yep. Samantha and I weigh the same amount. Boy, do those pounds look different on the two of us!!
Here's another interesting bit of information: both of us ran a race for the first time at the Cox 5k in May 2010. In the last 2 years, Samantha got serious about running and has completed half marathons and full marathons. Me? I've exercised off and on but am still taking baby steps to a fitness lifestyle.
Why am I telling you all of this?
Because I want you to join me in resisting the comparison game. When those self-destructive voices start whispering lies in your ear, I want you to banish them with truth.
Your body is unique. Your choices are unique. Instead of comparing yourself to another woman's unique body and choices, think about your healthy goals and the steps you are taking to achieve them. That is truth.
Once you start resisting the destructive comparison game then you'll be able to inspire and encourage healthy choices in yourself. And that's what Project 10 is all about - making healthy choices so we become healthy women.
Do you struggle with the comparison game? How are you going to kick it to the curb?
Go read what Samantha has to say about our mutual weight and comparisons.
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8 comments:
You are so right...we are all unique with unique body types and comparison is always destructive. God obviously likes variety, so why do we sometimes wish for Barbie Doll conformity? : )
Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)
Thanks for commenting Gail. We are all created differently and we seem to value those differences except in the area of weight and body shape. While I don't think we should be content with allowing our bodies to be unhealthy, we do need to understand what is truly a healthy weight and size for our unique bodies.
Great post! I do think you both look fabulous, but we are always our own worst critics...
First of all, you both look great! Secondly, I do the same thing, comparing myself to others. My best friend is tiny. She's petite, small boned, and just...small. She bounced right back after having her baby, and was able to wear itty bitty bikinis when her son was 2 months old. I always have to remind myself that I am tall with curves and I always will be. :)
Thank you, ladies. Megan, isn't it funny how we are never satisfied with what we have. Curly hair wants straight, straight hair wants curly. Short people want to be tall, tall people want to be short. Just remember that tall with curves is just as beautiful as tiny with small bones! :D
Yes I do struggle with this all the time! and then I get all snooty, like "Well I've had six kids, so that's why I look this way..." but I have to be honest, that excuse isn't really holding any more! I'm 20 months postpartum... can't really call it baby weight! I think it has something to do with my constant eating as if I am still pregnant or nursing!
Time to stop comparing and to get back on that treadmill :)
Emily, I know exactly what you mean. Being overweight, not exercising, and eating unhealthy food seems to be socially acceptable when you have a bunch of kids or reach middle age. Why are those extra 10 pounds justified because I birthed babies and am nearly 40 yrs old? They aren't. I know it sounds vain but I don't want to LOOK like I've birthed 4 babies. And I definitely don't want to feel like it!
Great post. Thanks for the reminder. I'm so glad you linked up at the Frequent Flier Club today!
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