I mentioned my gym troll a few weeks ago. And how she perplexed me, then ticked me off, and finally she amused me.
I’ve also told you that when I started running, I made it my ‘no negativity’ zone. I visualize success, even if I don’t feel that way. I say nice things to myself. Call myself things like rockstar and goddess and incredible. It gets pretty ridiculous, not to mention hilarious. But I’ll tell you what: it seals out the negativity. With swimming it’s the same way. I’m so new to it and so intimidated, I can’t afford to be negative. I need to give it everything I’ve got, physically and moreso mentally, to stay afloat. Literally.
But when I’m at the gym strength training (which is a lot lately) I seem to bring along a hyper-critical inner troll that spews more negativity than I care to hear. I don’t think it has to do with being self-conscious. One of the beauties of middle age is you truly care less and less what others think. It doesn’t have to do with comparing to others either. When I hit the gym it’s pretty empty save for a handful of musclemen. But the gym has mirrors. Where I run and swim do not. Rather than compare myself to others, I think I’m comparing myself to an earlier visual version of me. The last time I really, seriously was into strength training, I was 17 years younger. Rather than celebrate the progress I’m making in the gym now, my petty inner troll is quick to point out the wrinkles, grey roots and back fat that weren’t there 17 years ago. Shallow I know.
So I’m putting my inner troll on notice. From here on out, the gym too becomes a no negativity zone.
Are you your own worst critic? How do you overcome negative self-talk?
I’m linking up with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
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Awesome. I have FINALLY quit comparing myself to younger and ‘better’ versions! Good for you.
Sadly I am not always nice to myself, especially when I look in the mirror:( Definitely something I need to work on:)
This has been a work in progress for me as well. I think the first step is recognizing that you are doing it so you can make a conscious effort to be more positive!
I am most definitely my own worst critic. My preceptor asked me how I thought I did a couple weeks ago and I honestly felt like I deserved maybe an 80% in one of the sections, but he gave me a 95! *-* This will probably always be a work in progress, but I’m more conscious of it now than I was before!
I go in phases – right now isn’t too bad but there are times that I can’t even stand to look at myself in the mirror. Maybe I will just make mirrors negative free zones:)
Great reminder, Marcia! I, like you, feed myself a lot of positive messages while I’m training – and that’s kind of fun and easy. But when I get in front of a mirror, I have to work a little harder at it 🙂 My face never seems to match how I feel (24 :))
I so agreed with all of this–the middle-aged blessing is not caring about what others think. But yes, I can’t help every now and then to look at myself in the mirror and “remember when” about my appearance. I think one good way to flip that around and give the troll the boot is to remember that you look damn good, whether for a 50-yr. old or for someone much younger–because you do!
Right now, I’m all about what I can still do! Middle age be damned!
Even though I can’t do half of what I used to do, it’s kind of nice to actually know what I’m doing instead of making it up as I go along.
I love your quote about how you talk to yourself because you might be listening. This generation of 50ish women is kick-a$$ strong and nothing like the generation of my mother’s. And that is beautiful.
I would say 80% of the time I’m pretty kind to myself when faced with all the mirrors during strength training. But once you get into that negative mindset, it’s hard to stop. Right now it’s more a case of catching sight of myself and being alarmed, then remembering I’m pregnant. 😉
I am TOTALLY my biggest critic– especially when it comes to working out and running– I suffer from major head trash issues!! Need to work on this especially this spring when I will be bouncing back from baby
I love that you “drown” your inner troll with positive words and phrases. Such a good idea– I am going into my long run tomorrow with you mind and I also loved Allison’s from Racigntales Animal image as well–I’ll share both of these posts with my running buddies.
I love that you “drown” your inner troll with positive words and phrases. Such a good idea– I am going into my long run tomorrow with you mind and I also loved Allison’s from Racingtales Animal image as well–I’ll share both of these posts with my running buddies.
Oh yes, most definitely I am my own troll! I spent 25+ years as a dancer staring at myself in front of mirrors, picking apart every single move down to finger placement. And that didn’t go away when I stopped dancing. I think that’s one of the reasons I love running so dearly, it’s the time I feel most perfect and most certainly look anything but!
Yes, I am my own troll. I’m horrible at negative self-talk. Ugh.
I definitely struggle with this one…ALL. THE. TIME. But I work hard every day to appreciate who I am now, because I believe I’ve come a long way…
such a good reminder. i do my best to not let mean me come out in my head…but i, like you, seem to do it when i actually see myself in the mirror. i even do it when i run by a store window and can see my reflection. terrible, i know.
Negative self talk is still a challenge for me when I run – still need to learn to get out of my own way!
If you find out hos to eliminate negative self talk let me know. I’m as bad as you at finding my own faults. But sometimes I realise the words are actually my mother’s from when I was a kid. Greedy. Lazy. Hard to let those ones go.
Instead of the gym, do 1 hour’s yoga practice a day in front of a mirror. You’ll be so busy trying to hold each position for 30 seconds, you won’t have time to do anything but admire.
YES, I am definitely my own worst critic!!
I’m usually pretty nice to myself. And I couldn’t agree more that it’s so important.