You may have seen social media flooded with images of slim figures, toned abs, and impressive weight loss success stories. For example, you see someone who lost 5kg in just one month thanks to dieting, or a colleague who became incredibly slim thanks to intense training. It’s easy for us to fall into the cycle of comparing ourselves to others.
However, there is a simple truth that many people often fail to realize, which is that each body is a different world. Therefore, applying the same weight loss method will never bring the same results to everyone. This is why comparing yourself to others is not only useless but sometimes harmful, making you lose motivation, easily giving up, and even damaging your mental and physical health.
Reasons to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others When You Want to Lose Weight
1. Every Body is Unique
Just like fingerprints, every human body is unique. Genetics, hormones, metabolism, bone structure, lifestyle, and even psychology all affect how your body responds to diet and exercise.
For example, some people lose weight easily when cutting out carbs, while others find themselves feeling tired, dizzy, and having trouble sticking to this method. Some people burn calories quickly thanks to a high metabolism, while others find it easier to store fat even when eating less. This doesn’t mean someone is better or worse than you, it simply means their body operates on its own rules.
2. The Social Comparison Effect
Comparing yourself to others is a natural instinct, but when it happens constantly, it can become a burden. Social media makes this more likely than ever. What we often see is the results of others, but we don’t know that behind it there may be months of effort, failures, or even the help of technology and medical measures.
At this time, you will easily fall into a negative mentality, feel disappointed when your results are not the same as theirs, think of yourself as weak. This can make you rush to try inappropriate weight loss methods, and as a result, not only does it not help you get closer to your goal, but it also makes you exhausted both mentally and physically.
3. Weight loss is a personal journey and effort
You should remember that weight loss is not a race to see who is faster or who loses more. This is a personal journey, where you learn to listen to your body, adjust your habits and find the method that is most suitable for you.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest may not bring immediate results, but it will help your body stay healthy and maintain a sustainable weight in the long term. If you only focus on achieving the same number as others, you will easily fall into the trap of losing weight quickly but then gaining it back.
4. Mental pressure
Many people fall into anxiety, pressure, and even depression because of comparison. Feeling inferior can lead to giving up your efforts, or, on the contrary, forcing yourself into harsh diets and overtraining. This not only makes your body vulnerable but also breaks the healthy relationship between you and yourself.
On the contrary, when you learn to appreciate your body and focus on your own progress, you will feel more relieved, confident, and patient with the weight loss process. Small but sustainable changes, such as getting enough sleep, drinking more water, and walking regularly, can sometimes be much more effective than chasing after other people’s achievements.
Tips to help you stop comparing and focus on your own goals
To get out of the comparison spiral, you can start with the following simple tips:
- Set personal goals, such as what makes me healthier and happier.
- Remember positive achievements to motivate yourself. Small changes like sleeping better, feeling less tired, or feeling more confident instead of just staring at your weight are all your own efforts and achievements.
- Limit negative influences from social media. Be selective about information, follow sources that inspire positive instead of creating pressure.
- Focus on long-term health. Weight loss is not just about the number on the scale, but also about improving your cardiovascular, bone, digestive, and mental health.
- Patience is the key to achieving your goals. Recognize your efforts, even if the results are not immediate. Persistence is the key to success.
