Inspiration or Comparison?

I think we have all been guilty of comparing ourselves to someone else at some point. It’s fairly easy to do. You think that you are only giving yourself inspiration to change. You start making Pinterest boards with these great looking bodies, gorgeous hair and killer outfits. These are your goals, right? You are pinning them so that you can use them to inspire you when you feel like giving up. Same goes with Instagram or Facebook. You follow these people who can do exercises you can only dream about, with bodies that look as though there is no fat on them whatsoever. This way, when you are scrolling through social media, it will get you to get off the device and to get moving.

Let’s think about that for a second. Is that what you really do? Do these people help you out, long term? Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones that absolutely can inspire you! I challenge you to look long and hard at many of them. Are they really making you feel as though you can do this? Or do they make you feel worse? By now we all know that these people don’t always look like that. Their six pack abs and mile long legs don’t always look the way they do in their pictures. Great lighting, filters, and the time of day make a huge difference. You can rationally know all of this, but that doesn’t make it any better.

In reality, your body isn’t going to look like that. You have an extremely unique one, just for you. It may have scars, stretch marks, or larger thighs. So what? We were all created to be individual. We are not all meant to look the same. Some of us can eat all the carbs in the world and not gain weight. Others can’t even walk by a doughnut shop without gaining a pound, and that is totally okay, too. Women are some of the worst at comparing themselves, but men definitely do it as well. We are all guilty. Even the fittest people have things about their bodies they don’t like.

Your body is a roadmap that shows all your trials and tribulations. Maybe you have a c-section scar, or stretch marks. Maybe you have knock knees or thick ankles. We need to celebrate those things, guys. They are NOT something to be ashamed of. It is your badge of individuality. Don’t worry about things like thigh gaps, or how big your biceps are. Focus on being the best YOU. Make your body strong and healthy, no matter what that ends up looking like. Then I want to see you rocking it, no matter what. Hold your head high and show others what confidence looks like. You are a strong and healthy person who isn’t ashamed of their body. That is what this world needs more of. That is what young kids need to see. Our beauty is in our individuality, and there is no one else quite like you.