Fit-shaming. Are you guilty?

I recently completed a 7 day group hike around Mont Blanc in the French alps, it was 120 kms of tough terrain, hot weather, shared/dorm like sleeping arrangements, with snorers, midnight toilet trips and sleep talking - a recipe for little sleep. 

The group was from all over the world, and I was the only solo traveller, and I found myself being fit-shamed...back handed compliments, on how quick I was getting to the next meeting point, "she probably doesn't have anything in her back pack" "gee Katie, it's not a race?" "well Katie is making us all look so slow, because she's going ahead so quick". I was polite, I laughed it off most of the time; but it got old pretty quickly when it was happening 5-6 times a day.

I reflected on my dialogue and assessed whether I was coming across negatively, or competitive, and thought  I was actually the opposite, always encouraging "nice guys!" "that was tough, you killed it" (think it's the spin instructor in me); and assumed that like me, they weren't comparing themselves to anyone else and were doing it for them self.

After day 4, I was mentally drained - and for about 18 seconds I felt bad, I felt BAD that I was fit, strong, and ultimately well prepared for this hike; how crazy is that! That same morning I had received a message from my Brother, and he said "keep up the good work kid! how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time!" and that day, for many was the hardest and I killed it!, I was at meeting points long before the rest of the group, and always greeted them with a smile and a high five.

 The comments they were making were a reflection of them, not me, and it wasn't actually my physical fitness that got me to the meeting point first (don't get me wrong, it helped) but it was my mental toughness, I embraced the grind, the grit, the dripping sweat, the feeling of my heart in my throat.

Next time someone is doing an awesome job in the gym, or running their heart out up the street, try not to bring them down to make yourself feel better, instead encourage them, ask what they do, so you can rise to their level.

Basically, don't be an asshole.