Comparing to others

What a refreshing morning! The humidity is gone and I actually needed a light jacket biking to the gym today. Felt so good to breathe cooler air! I decided on weights only this morning and did a good workout.

Exercise Set/rep/weight Muscle worked
Stiff-legged deadlift 3 sets of 10 at 80# Lower body
Dumbbell Pullover 3 sets of 10 with 25# DB Back
Leg Press 1 set of 10 at 50#

1 set of 10 at 70#

1 set of 10 at 90#

1 set of 10 at 100#

Legs
Barbell incline chest press 3 sets of 8 at 55# Chest
Horizontal Wood Chop 3 sets of 10 (each side) at 30# total Abs
Front Raise 3 sets with 10 with 8# DBS (16# total) Shoulders
Seated Calf Raise 3 sets of 10 at 110# Calves
Nosebreakers 3 sets of 10 with 30# bar Triceps
Biceps cable curl 3 sets of 10 at 40# Biceps

I actually worked biceps today, how about that??  Funny side note here:  I was doing the nosebreakers with the 30# bar, and I think a young guy (maybe 18) was watching me.  A little bit later, he goes to do nosebreakers with the 30# bar and then had to go get a lighter one LOL!  At least he didn’t try to stick it out and injure himself.

Biked home, really enjoying the non humidity and decided that I wanted the pumpkin cream cheese thing I had last week!

Delicious, although I used leftover egg whites from regular eggs instead of liquid egg whites and had some chunks in there.  John is making pumpkin ice cream and used up the yolks!

Steady work at both jobs today and good dictators, so life was good.  Except for the one doc who was eating while dictating and she was just smacking up her food while talking.  That was really gross.  Nothing like having someone chewing in your ear….

Lunch time!  Egg sammie with some tomato/mozzarella laughing cow.

This had a nice seasoning to it, and definitely a stronger flavor than the chipotle one.  I still added hot sauce, though.

I was thinking about that race the other day.  Although I normally don’t do this, I sometimes find it very hard not to compare myself with others.  I feel that people are so much better than I am at so many things.  With running, they run faster, they run more, they improve faster.   People who recently started running and already are faster than I am after 2 years of practice  or  are running really long distances.  On bikes, people go so much faster than I do (okay, I probably have the mileage…).  It was the same way losing weight, too.  I have always been a turtle with losses.  There are people who started after I did and are at goal.  People who lose multiple pounds in a week, you know the drill.

I know that this is not a way to think.  I know that.  But those thoughts are there.  Sometimes I don’t know how to get rid of those thoughts because I am not in competition with anyone and I never have thought that I was, so I don’t always understand why I even notice what others do.  I really love how far I have come and the things that I can do now that I never would have been able to do 100 pounds ago and I am very proud of that.  I do strive for more, however, and maybe that is where that comes from? I really can only be in competition with myself and can only compare against what I have done in the past.  I don’t really have negative thoughts about myself (I  don’t do negative self-talk), but sometimes I just feel…. inadequate maybe?  I am not even sure that is right, but it will do.

Moving on.  I decided not to have a latte today (gasp!) and instead had some dark chocolate and more blueberries for my afternoon snack.  Yay!

Then I finished up work with my working buddy:

She is glad I have the netbook because that means there is more room for her in my lap!

One of my finds at the farmer’s market was patty pan squash.

These were just too cute to pass up.  I decided to incorporate them into dinner.  I dipped them in egg whites and crushed Uncle Sam cereal and pan fried in a little coconut oil.  They were pretty tasty.  Will do a GVE post on these tomorrow.

It is such a gorgeous night that I will be going out for a walk and then having an evening snack!

Question:  Ever tried patty pan squash?

23 thoughts on “Comparing to others

  1. Alissa

    I’m always comparing myself to others. I know you have said that you lost weight slow, etc. and to be honest, that’s very motivating to me because I see where you are now, and know that I will be there someday too, no matter how long it takes!
    .-= Alissa´s last blog ..Banana Soft Serve =-.

  2. Tish

    Loved hearing about the 18 yr old who decided that he should start where you’ve worked up to. LOL No–I haven’t tried patty pan. Maybe it’s time. I don’t see it often, but I’ll keep my eye out.

  3. Kim Zepp

    I’ve never even heard of pan patty squash! 🙂 It looks neat though.

    It’s difficult not to compare myself with others. When I’m in a race, I always want to improve my own best time, but I also have to see where I was overall and where I was in my age group. (It’s always posted, so I have to look!)
    .-= Kim Zepp´s last blog ..7 exciting weeks until the Rev3 Half =-.

  4. Pubsgal

    I’ve had that kind of squash before, and enjoy them, but I didn’t know they had such a cute name! 🙂

    I know what you mean about the competition thing. I *know* in my head that it doesn’t serve me to compare. I’m happy about what I’ve accomplished so far, but I feel like I’m plateauing physically. This would probably be different if I picked a couple of areas and really gave them solid focus, but I tend to dabble. But yes, I notice other people progressing faster, and while I’m happy for them, I still feel a little…wistful, perhaps?

    I know you’re not looking for compliments, but you ROCK, in so many ways! You’re one of my maintenance and fitness heroes! You lift solid amounts of weight and are so strong, and you’ve done a century on the bike – how cool is that!?! Besides, how many of us can make soap?
    .-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..Weekly Update- 7-21-10 =-.

  5. Cammy@TippyToeDiet

    Knowing the problems with negative comparisons is one thing, but eliminating them completely is a something else entirely. One thing I’ve realized is that I’d rather suffer through an occasional bout of negative comparison than to go the opposite direction, as a woman at my original training studio did. She was so puffed up with how much more and better she was working out (her estimation) than the others of us that she was quite unpleasant to be around. What she didn’t register was that she might have been piling up the minutes, but we were piling up the losses! 🙂 (In truth, I feel sorry for her as she’s the same size as before. It’s actually sad.)
    .-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Aging Gracefully- Hisssssssssssss =-.

  6. John

    I just think it’s the competitiveness in you and that’s fine. I’m always comparing myself as I’m competitive and it helps to push me further and faster. Without that I may still run 13:00/miles like when I started.

    I’m sure I’ve had the squash before but years ago when I was a kid. My parents always had a huge garden and lots of squash of all kinds!

  7. Amy

    No, have never eaten patty pan squash – I don’t think I’ve ever seen it here! But I regularly have the same comparison thoughts as you do – I think it’s unavoidable! I try not to worry about it too much and remind myself all that matters is that I continue to challenge myself and how I improve over time. But yeah, sometimes it’s annoying!
    .-= Amy´s last blog ..Fingers crossed =-.

  8. Fran

    I know what you mean about the comparing Lori. I try not to do that, after all it’s my journey, but sometimes it slips into my mind f.e. when I see someone who has lost a lot of weight fast while it takes a long time for me to lose some weight. Or when others can run long distances without walking. But in the end I get back to my starting point: I’m doing this for me and it’s my journey and I fill it in how it works best for me.

    I had to laugh about the guy. I can imagine he was surprised he was “beaten” by a girl 🙂

  9. Lynn Haraldson-Bering

    On the other hand, I’ll bet people compare themselves to you and you’re probably not aware of it.

    Love the patty pan, but it took me forever to try it. I didn’t know you could eat the whole thing. I thought it was like a mini winter squash.
    .-= Lynn Haraldson-Bering´s last blog ..Tweaking Recipes =-.

  10. Jody - Fit at 52

    Not a huge fan of squash. I eat it every so often but I just rather have other veggies…

    I totally get your comparison to other people thing…. one of those things I do too & want to break that habit but never have.. I kinda think it is a thing a large % of us do. Like you, I always put on weight the easiest & lost the slowest… as for exercise, I tend to really push past my limits which are really not my limits but HARD and I am willing to go there. Some like to take it at a different pace. Like your biking.. I could never do that nor am I sure I want to…. I think it is all in our priorties & what is more important to us.

    Love that Pixie pic! 🙂
    .-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..A Few of My Favorite Exercises =-.

  11. Desert Agave

    Oh the comparison thing is awful. I do it too, though I wish I didn’t and try not to.

    I love summer squash and do enjoy patty pan squash, though I usually do think of it as space ship squash.
    .-= Desert Agave´s last blog ..Good Monday =-.

  12. Joanne

    That squash is interesting. Never have tried it. I’ll have to look for it.
    As for comparing yourself to others, we all do it. I think in your case, it’s a positive thing because you don’t get disappointed because of those comparisons. It seems it pushes you to want more from yourself which is healthy. That’s what keeps us challenging our bodies and exceeding our own expectations. Isn’t that such a wonderful feeling when we’ve pushed our selves and achieved that goal or surpassed it? Wow – What a high!
    Most of us won’t ever break through the tape at the finish line, but we do cross the finish line and that’s what it’s all about.
    .-= Joanne´s last blog ..CNYEats A Taste of Utica St Joseph’s Bread =-.

  13. AJH

    Love your cat! We are big cat people!

    Any chance you are doing the Race the Train race? That one intrigues me.

    1. Lori Post author

      I thought about doing the Race the Train earlier this year, but I hurt my back a few months ago, so I am not up for 8 miles yet! Next run race is probably Saratoga Palio possibly.
      I am doing the Team Hole in the Wall metric century bike ride for sure.

  14. debby

    I thought a TON about your post, but then didn’t comment. Glad I remembered to come back. I was trying to figure out if ‘comparison’ was part of the human condition (inevitable) or if it was a result of participating in things that led naturally to competitiveness (weight loss, weight lifting involve numbers descending and ascending,) there is the obvious–competing in races, even walking (if we so choose) involves keeping track of the distance. And feeling less than just has to be a part of competition. Otherwise no one would compete again.

    For me, I decided that competing brought out some qualities in myself that I didn’t particularly like (I’m referring to competing in dog shows, and to a lesser extent, in fiber art competition) and ultimately does not lead to the satisfaction and peace that everyone is seeking in life.

    Okay. Enough philosophizing or whatever it is I am doing. I love that squash–call it something else out here. I LOVE grilling it with a little bit of sesame oil and Mrs. Dash seasoning on it. LOVE.
    .-= debby´s last blog ..Whirlwind Trip =-.

  15. Dawn

    I know what you mean about sometimes feeling inadequate but you are right it’s about us competing with ourselves not others. I try to look how far I’ve come and that usually helps which I’m sure it does for you too. I’m not a big squash fan either but that does look good.
    .-= Dawn´s last blog ..Boy is it quiet at home =-.

  16. Susan

    HA! Miz Fit’s comment made me laugh.

    Okay, I totally read this post before commenting on your race recap. I have always felt similarly. I only just started getting into exercise, so I can’t lift as much as other people, can’t run as fast, bike as fast, I don’t have a gazillion races under my belt, and I don’t have a spanning knowledge of certain fitness topics. But the other day I was training a woman who was lifting about the same I do. Jokingly, she said “and how much can you do on there? 50 lbs??” I didn’t respond, but it was a huge compliment that she thought I’m more fit than I think I am. I guess it’s all in owning what you can do and being confident in your abilities 🙂
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..Weekend Delight =-.

  17. Ang

    I seem to have a fuzzy memory of eating one at someone’s home once upon a time…

    I know how you feel about comparing yourself to others. I think it’s natural and it’s hard to get ourselves out of that mindset. Sounds like you are doing a great job though! 🙂
    .-= Ang´s last blog ..My New Favorite Thing! =-.

  18. MB

    I’m not a fan of squash but that one looks so cute.

    I used to work for a lawyer who would dictate while eating, burping, farting, yelling at his kids, swearing at drivers on the road, anything and everything. He would just leave the machine running while I listened to his conversations with his wife, kids, friends, etc. Drove me absolutely crazy.

    I’m in the turtle weight loss program but I know I’m in good company but I still get jealous when I see others losing it faster and easier. Oh well, nothing I can do about that so turtle speed it is.

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