Your Starting Point in Fitness Might Be Someone Else’s Goal – and That’s Okay
Let’s have a raw, honest conversation about fitness. Whether you’re just starting out, getting back into it, or you’ve been at it for years, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. You know what I’m talking about—scrolling through social media, seeing someone else’s ripped abs or perfect form, and wondering, “Why am I not there yet?”
Here’s the kicker: your starting point might be someone else’s goal. And that’s not just okay—it’s normal.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
We all start from different places in our fitness journeys. Maybe you’re carrying a little extra weight. Maybe you’ve got a fast metabolism but no muscle tone. Maybe you’re recovering from an injury or simply never made time for the gym before. Whatever your starting point is, it’s valid.
Here’s the truth: The guy lifting 200 pounds? At some point, he started with just the bar. The woman running marathons? She was once winded after a mile. Every fit person you admire started from somewhere. And the fact that you’re starting now—whether it’s with baby steps or a big leap—means you’re making a change. That’s amazing!
Stop Comparing Your Day 1 to Someone Else’s Year 5
The fitness world is full of “influencers” who make it seem like they’ve always had their act together. Perfect bodies, perfect workouts, perfect diets. It’s easy to feel like you’re failing because you don’t measure up to their highlight reel. But what you see is the end result of years of hard work, discipline, and consistency—not their starting point. Your Day 1 might look like their Year 5, and that’s perfectly fine too. Everyone has their own unique path, own strengths, and own pace. Fitness is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about progress, not perfection.
Here's a little piece of my story. I was always considered the “skinny kid” growing up. I mean, I had knees that looked like dinner plates on drinking straws. I remained thin until college, when the food was readily available, unhealthy, and DELICIOUS. So, activity went down, calories went up. Bad idea on my part. Throughout the years, I fluctuated up and down MANY times through relationships, babies, jobs, etc. My metabolism was all over the place also, which did not help. Now, at 46, I am in a good spot. I monitor my calories, exercise regularly and am mentally ok with my physique. BUT that doesn’t mean that I always feel good about myself, I just know how to circumvent it. When I start comparing myself to others, I know I need to tighten the reins on eating and exercise. I do, and it gets better.
It's all about finding yourself, and what works for YOU!
Your Body is Your Business
Let’s keep it real: Your fitness journey is your journey. It’s not about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself. Maybe your goal isn’t to have a six-pack but to have the energy to play with your kids, to feel confident in your own skin, or to manage stress better. Guess what? That’s all valid. Not everyone’s goal is to look like a fitness model, and not everyone needs to. For some people, just showing up to the gym consistently is a massive win. For others, it might be shedding a few pounds or simply feeling stronger. Whatever your goal, own it! You’re doing this for you—not for anyone else’s validation.
What You See in the Mirror Isn’t the Full Picture
We’re all guilty of it—looking in the mirror and focusing on what we don’t like. The belly fat that won’t budge, the arms that aren’t defined, the number on the scale that isn’t where we want it to be. But what you see in the mirror is just one part of the story.
Fitness isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about how you feel. It’s about how your body performs, how much energy you have, and how strong and capable you become over time. That person you’re envying? They might look ripped, but they might also be struggling with self-doubt, body image issues, or even an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise. We may never know the full story.
Small Wins are Still Wins
Celebrate the small victories. Did you run a little longer today than last week? Lift five pounds heavier than before? Even just make it to the gym on a day you felt like skipping? That’s progress and progress adds up over time. You don’t need to be smashing records every day to be successful in fitness. The real game-changer is consistency. The people you admire didn’t get where they are overnight. They showed up, even on the days they didn’t feel like it. They celebrated small wins along the way, and eventually, those small wins led to big changes.
Someone’s Looking at You Also
Here’s the thing: You might not realize it, but someone is probably looking at you right now, thinking, “Wow, I wish I could be where they are.” Maybe it’s a friend who admires your discipline, someone at the gym who sees you pushing through, or even a stranger who’s inspired by your courage to start. You don’t have to be at the “end” of your fitness journey to be an inspiration. The fact that you’re making the effort, setting goals, and working on yourself will motivate others!
Own Your Journey
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fitness. Some people are aiming to lift heavier weights, others want to run farther, and some just want to feel healthier. All these goals are valid. Your starting point, your pace, your milestones—they’re all part of your story. Own it.
It’s okay to admire others, but don’t lose sight of the fact that you are on your own journey, and it’s uniquely yours. Just because you’re not where you want to be yet doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress. Someone else’s “ideal” might be what you consider your starting line—and that just shows how relative this whole fitness game is. In actuality, there is no finish line, as fitness is a continuum. In the words of Robin Thicke, it's all "Blurred Lines."
The Bottom Line
Fitness isn’t a competition. It’s about personal growth, strength, and self-love. Where you start doesn’t define where you’ll end up, and where someone else is, doesn’t diminish your progress. So let’s stop comparing ourselves and start celebrating the wins—big and small—and remember: Your path is enough.
Keep on keepin’ on! I believe in you!
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