Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

I was recently invited to a weight loss challenge and I had to decline. Now, the competitive nature within me is feeling left out of the competition.

What can I do to feed my competitive nature that is positive?

I have been competing in the Nike+ challenges and that seems to help, but even when I won the trophy for the Level 1 group, I heard myself discount it, “That was just Level 1. I used to run at Level 3 before.” Even though it has been a hard journey back from not being able to run at all, I discounted my trophy. I’m beginning to think that this competitive side of me isn’t very nice.

Is competition inherently bad when I’m trying to create a healthy lifestyle?

Should I ever compare myself to another person’s abilities, body or nature?

Isn’t there some way to feed the competitive part of me that won’t damage the rest of me?

It was my competitive nature that injured me in the first place. Doing so much mileage that quickly just so I could pass up someone on my Nike+ challenges ended up hurting me.

How can compete without hurting myself?

Do any of you have any ideas because I feel like I’m in a situation where no matter what I do, I’m going to feel crappy.