
Why you should only be competing with you. It isn't about anyone else.
Whenever you make a fitness goal, there’s usually that negative and nagging feeling of “What if I can’t do it?” or “What if I come in dead last?” But really, if you come in dead last in your first 5k, you still finished. You did something you didn’t think you could. And it isn’t about what place you come in, or the people on the track. It’s about you. It’s about being able to say “I didn’t think I could, but I did.”
If it’s a new fitness class you’re starting, it isn’t about the rest of the class. You can’t compare your first day in your fitness journey to someone else’s 365th day. It isn’t fair to you or them. They worked hard to get where they are, so don’t minimize their success by thinking they got there easily, and don’t discourage yourself because you aren’t there yet.
There’s parts of your life you may turn into excuses that hinder you from reaching your goals. You may have kids at home, a desk job, a sweet tooth, or no time to exercise. But you should never use your circumstances as an excuse, unless you’re injured or sick. Take your kids to work out with you. Exercise on your lunch break. Keep your sweet tooth in check. Find the time and make healthy living a priority in your life.
Wherever you’re at in your progress today, make it a goal to be better tomorrow. It may not be a huge change, but those small changes, step by step, can make all the difference in the world. If today you walked 5,000 steps, try to reach 5,200 steps tomorrow. If today you had three cookies, only have two tomorrow. And if today you finished your 5k in 45 minutes, shoot for 43 minutes next time.
Emily Wiley
iFit Trainer

We’ve reached the final stretch in iFIT’s Finish Strong journey, a three-month commitment to staying active, motivated, and focused through the end of the year. You’ve built your consistency, and now it’s time for the grand finale: the Dash to the Finish Challenge.This month is all about pushing to the finish line while celebrating how far you’ve come. Embrace the season, whether you’re walking through the holiday markets in Germany or feeling the Jingle Bell Burn in the iFIT Studio.It’s time to finish strong!Complete the workouts from your selected Challenge level by December 31, 2025 and you’ll earn this digital reward for your Trophy Case. Here are this month’s Challenges:Treadmill and elliptical workoutsWalking and Running: Finish strong this month with walks and runs! You’ll explore the famous holiday markets in Germany with Casey Gilbert, complete holiday-themed walks and runs in the iFIT Studio with Ashley Paulson, John Peel, Richard Biglia, Jesse Corbin, Pearl Fu, and Jonnie Gale, walk across a glacier in Argentina with John Peel, and wrap things up in Nepal with Ang Tshering Lama.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: Walk & RunCycling WorkoutsCycling: Cycle to the finish line this month! iFIT Trainer John Wessling will lead you through an interval ride and an endurance ride alongside a dog sled team in Alaska. Then, you’ll head to Colorado with iFIT Trainer Keith Gabel to explore the Devil’s Thumb Resort. Finally, iFIT Trainer Ashley McIvor will join you in Norway for a HIIT ride and strength ride that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: CyclingRower WorkoutsRowing: iFIT Trainers Alex Gregory and Susan Francia will take you on an epic adventure this month! Join Alex in Wales for endurance and speed rowing workouts, then head to Canada for quick but effective training with Susan, focused on HIIT, power, and endurance.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: RowingStrength workoutsStrength: Build strength in the iFIT Studio and in Iceland this month! Catch the incredible dynamic duos of Hannah Eden and Paulo Barreto, John Peel and Ashley Paulson, and Hannah and Ashley, and a solo workout with Shannon Cooper for fun, holiday-themed workouts. iFIT Trainer Jonnie Gale will round things out with two strength-focused workouts in the stunning backdrop of Iceland.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: StrengthDisclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
December 1, 2025