Feeling Like Others Are Better Than You at Exercise?
I've struggled with exercise and weight my whole life. It's been over 7.5 years since I'm a full-time personal trainer and group fitness instructor and I still struggle! I don't want to exercise every day. A lot of the time I have to push myself. I do it because I know how amazing I’ll feel afterwards. Don't think I'm any different than you just because I'm a trainer.
When I was just starting out at the gym (and truthfully still sometimes now when I compare myself to fitness professionals I admire), I have to remind myself of 3 important things:
Practice makes better… and eventually perfect.
Just like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get.
Don’t be discouraged if you suck at first, or if you took a break and when you returned you weren’t as good as when you left off. Keep going. You’ll get better and back to it in no time.
On a side note, don't confuse this with exercise getting easier the more you practice. When that happens, it's time to step it up a notch.
See my blog for more info: Why Exercise Doesn't Get Any Easier
Only compare yourself to yourself.
If you’re in a class with people that appear better than you, they likely have more practice/experience. If you continue, you'll improve just like they did.
Compare your own improvements, not how you look in regards to others.
E.g. If the first time you did a workout you needed to take 5 extra breaks and the next time only 2, that’s an improvement!
Mark things down so you can go back and review your progress.
Be around those that make you better and make you want to do/be better.
Surrounds yourself with people that pick you up rather than drag you down.
If you're in a more advanced class, it will likely push you to work harder to try to be like everyone. If on the other hand you’re in an easier class than your abilities with less skilled people, you're more likely to sink to their level.
If these 3 things resonate with you then feel free to use them. Otherwise I suggest you find 3 things of your own that will help you get through it all. Worst case scenario you don't get the outcome you desire but you'll still have extra positivity to your life and really what's the harm in that?
For full details and my story, check out my video. You’ll definitely be entertained.: