Body envy. The green-eyed monster that rears its head in gyms, yoga studios, and social media feeds. For years, workouts were often tinged with comparison. Envy of others’ strength, flexibility, physiques, and progress. Then, I found a workout that shifted my focus inward. That ended the body envy cycle.
It wasn’t a specific type of workout, but a mindful workout. A workout focused on how my body felt, not how it looked compared to others. A workout where I tuned into my breath, my muscles, my inner sensations, and let go of external comparisons. And in that mindful workout, something quieted down. The body envy, the comparisons, the self-criticism…they faded into the background.
The mindful workout wasn’t about physical transformation; it was about mental transformation. It was about shifting my focus from external ideals to internal experience. It was about appreciating my body for what it could do, not what it looked like compared to others. Body envy stopped being a part of my workout experience and became just…a reminder to focus on my own journey, my own body, and my own progress. Your workout is for you, and you alone. Tune in, listen to your body, and let go of comparison.