Having a tool that helps you track your athletic progress is very valuable, and there are a number of apps that can do this, including Strava.
Strava is wonderful because it creates maps of the places that you run, bike, ski, swim, etc, it tracks your pace and elevation profile, and there are segments where you can challenge yourself against other athletes in the same area. You can join monthly challenges, place on leader boards, and simply track your activities like a workout log with notes and photos. The compilation of all your activities are displayed to show you helpful temporal trends and progress. I find that it is quite inspiring to see friends and professionals do awesome things, and users open up additional route ideas and opportunities.
The problem with Strava and other social media-esque workout apps is that your performances are alongside other athletes' performances in a feed, much like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can view your workouts next to anyone else that you follow, including professional athletes, and there is even a "like" (rather, kudos) button for workouts (which can have its own problems).
I have particularly struggled with Strava for a few reasons.
Guilt. Some days I don't feel like working out or I want to take a rest day, and when I see Strava users clocking in their workouts, I feel guilty for not doing the same.
Feelings of inadequacy. While I recognize that it's silly, it's hard to not compare my workouts to others, and there can be feelings of inadequacy. It's as if a professor were to announce everyone's exam grades publicly, except it's my hobbies and activities that are being compared.
Needing to log. Instead of going out on a run or ride because I want to, sometimes I feel like I have to, simply to log something onto Strava for the day.
Ruining the joy ride. With publicizing my workouts, my speed and distance are open for everyone to see (and judge). Before using Strava, I would have easily gone on a 5 mile bike ride just to get outside, but now I feel like I shouldn't log short rides anymore. There is an added (self imposed) pressure to go faster and farther.
Injury. While this hasn't happened to me specifically, people online have said that the pressure to perform harder has lead to injury.
I am not alone in this: there are discussion forums and articles written by other people who feel the same here, here, here, here, and here.
Comparison with myself brings improvement, comparison with others brings discontent. -Betty Jamie Chung
I want to continue to use Strava for the awesome reasons mentioned above, but I want to remove the unhealthy self-talk that manifests.
There are a few things that can help if deleting Strava isn't an option:
Log your workout but don't scroll through your newsfeed. Having a Garmin watch has really helped because it will automatically sync to Strava, so I, in theory, could never have to open Strava again.
Don't look at Strava during your rest days.
Make your activities private, so no one can see them but you.
Have an account where you don't follow anyone at all.
"Mute" other athletes' accounts so you don't have to see their workouts
Take a break and just don't use Strava for a little while.
Try to go easier on yourself. Everyone has a different work schedule, availability to workout, goals, and physical abilities. It really isn't appropriate to assume all of our bodies, fitness levels, interests, and schedules are the same.
After all, the goal is to be physically and mentally healthy, and any movement of the body, indoors or outdoors, is something that should be strived for and celebrated. We should also only work to do better than our previous selves, not better than another individual.
Dear you, don’t compare yourself to anyone. Your Unique Self is empowered, powerful, and unstoppable! Your uniqueness is what makes you incomparable! Don’t underestimate the beauty of just being you. -Stephanie Lahart
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