Comparing old photos of myself…
Have you ever compared yourself to old photos of yourself and wished you were as “fat” as when you thought you were fat when you really weren’t fat at all!?
Listened to a Hidden Brain podcast about comparison, and it blew my mind. We all know that “comparison is the thief of joy.” But, did you know that there are types of comparisons – and that they can be used to our advantage?
There’s “upward comparison” and “downward comparison”. To better understand this, imagine you’re trying to lose weight. If you compare up, you compare yourself to a person who’s lost more weight than you in a shorter amount of time. This might make you feel bad about yourself. If you compare down, you compare yourself to someone who is having a really hard time sticking to her diet and actually gaining weight. This might make you feel better about yourself.
Instead of trying to avoid comparison all together (because we’re humans and we’re going to do it anyway) COMPARE STRATEGICALLY for your advantage! It’s all mindset.
When you want to accomplish more, compare up. You don’t have to feel bad when you compare up to people who are “better than you.” I want you to compare up and use them as your driving force to reach your goals!
When you feel you’ve failed, go ahead and compare down. (Yes, others do actually have it worse than you!) This downward comparison can help you find gratefulness, which honestly, we all need more of.
In this age of ultimate outward comparison (thanks social media), when you can’t avoid it, USE IT.
So what about me and the photos? Honestly, I used to feel really bad about not being as lean as I was in 2012. But then I remember back to how mean I was to the people that loved me because I was always hangry! So, I’m grateful to have a little extra weight on me and carry on as a full functional person who is happy.
12 thoughts on “Comparing old photos of myself…”
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I couldn’t agree with you more. I have tried it all (since I was 16 – I’m now 31 a wife and mother) and I was such an angry and unhappy person when I was on a diet, or counting calories. A few years back I realized that by changing my life style and eating better and working out I was able to loose the weight, eat what I wanted (in moderation) and be the happiest me I could be.
You look beautiful, strong, and happy! Not that it matters, but I personally think you look better than ever
Cassey, you are so beautiful, strong, and happy! Not that it matters, but I personally think you look better than ever <3
I totally agree. 2019 Cassey is gorgeous – and lovely inside as well as out.
Awesome post! This is very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing!! I’ll be using comparison to my advantage now.
You look gorgeous in all your photos Cassey!
You are so right. I’ve stopped comparing myself downwards because it makes me complacent. So onwards and upwards for me. #FitforFifty
Going to find The Hidden Brain podcast now and also, thank you for sharing this. As someone who has struggled with their weight for many years now, it’s something I’m definitely going to try and adopt!
I think you look lovely now, its my fav by far
Love that you listen to Hidden Brain too – that’s such a great podcast!
I think you look your best now, but what’s more important, you certainly look like you feel happier than ever and that’s what matters. I wish you all the best in life because, from my point of view, you deserve it!