Keeping Pace: Is Good Health a Race?
By Genevieve Cunningham
Sometimes it feels like life is a race. Who can get the nicest house the fastest? Who will be first to get a big promotion? Who will settle down with kids before everyone else? In America, we make everything a competition. But there's one area of our life that really shouldn't be a race: our health. If you're feeling the pressure with your health, take a look at why you shouldn't make it a race, but a long-term goal instead.
It's Not a Race With Others
One of the very last things that you should ever do is to compare your fitness journey with someone else's. Your body is not the same as anyone else's. Your body doesn't work the same or respond the same. If someone else is losing weight faster than you, that's OK. Good health is not about beating someone else to the finish line -- especially since there isn't a finish line. Good health is a lifelong journey, and it's so personal that no one can take your place or do it for you. Trust the process and don't worry about what's working or not working for anyone else.
Focus on Yourself
Once you stop comparing yourself to others, it's time to focus on yourself. This is where you can put a bit of a race and competition into the mix. Want to lose more weight than last month? Go for it. Want to run a faster mile this week than last week? Race yourself. It's OK to try to beat your own goals. It's OK to try to beat your own personal best. In fact, this is the best way to keep yourself moving forward! Use your own progress as marking points, and then try to do better. This approach can help satisfy a competitive streak and keep you on your own personal path at the same time.
Good health is not a race. It's a journey that lasts a lifetime. While it's not OK to race another person in your personal quest for better health, it is OK to race or compete with yourself. It's OK to use yourself as motivation. Work hard to make personal progress, don't worry about anyone else's journey, and you'll be able to build a lifetime of health and wellness to enjoy.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.