That person sounds jealous. I wouldn’t take it seriously if it isn’t a good assessment of who I am.

No. You just want to be you.
That other person is simply jealous that he’s not you.

GO @gondwanalon!

It sounds like you’re trying to do your best for yourself, as in, competing with yourself. Kind of an odd thing for him to say, imo. Like the others have suggested, maybe it’s a jealousy issue.

I would say you have something to accomplish: a goal you set for yourself.

Never mind what this friend says, whether he is or isn’t meaning to undermine you. You’re going to be fit, and he isn’t.

I’m not trying to prove anything, no. If I can think of something that needs me to prove it, maybe I will try, and maybe I will just say I’m past having to prove things.

I really can’t say with that limited information.

Though I’d also offer that having something to prove isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I agree with @raum. I don’t think “having something to prove” is, in and of itself, a bad thing. It’s a matter of perspective, proving stuff by setting personal goals and trying to meet them sounds pretty good.

I already proved all my stuff to my satisfaction. Now I nap and eat snacks.

Nothing to prove to anybody, except maybe judges in a competition that is won by judge’s rule. Other than that, row away not caring what this friend thinks.

No, you sound like a competitor who wants to win. Some people just don’t have that drive or self-discipline. Keep pushing if it makes you happy.

I don’t perceive you as having something to prove. I wouldn’t use that terminology.

I’m not a competitive person, so sometimes I perceive people going to physical extremes as being obsessed and compulsive about their physical activity. In one way it’s honorable to have such commitment and perseverance. I admire the dedication, and I think I would be better if I had a little bit more of that in me. In another way, if it interrupts life and detracts from relationships I think it can be destructive much like an addiction.

This is why my girlfriends who obsess about dating men with great bodies, my perception is that guy most likely prioritizes his gym time to the point of annoying.

My husband gets on exercising kicks, and I don’t like it, because in my opinion he goes too far to the point that I think it’s actually bad for his overall health. He can’t seem to be moderate.

@JLeslie My husband is the same. Either 100% or nothing. Drives me crazy during the ‘nothing’ portion as I want him to be as fedicated as I am, as we approach middle age.

@KNOWITALL I hate both extremes. When he is doing nothing I try to get him to at least take walks with me. When he is all out exercising he drives himself with all sorts of idiotic rules that I think are dangerous. His extreme exercising is usually about weight loss not physical health. I could give examples, but I don’t want to detract too much from the Q.

No. You’re simply doing your own thing, something you enjoy doing. Don’t worry about that ass munch. Fuck him and the mule he rode in on. Better yet ask HIM to prove that he won’t have a coronary if he gets his lazy butt up off of his couch.

Thanks you all for your responses.

@JLeslie and @KNOWITALL I admit that what I’m doing is not really about achieving good health. I exercise far beyond that which is needed for good health. But I don’t think what I do is so extreme as to be detrimental to good health.
See copy of my exercise journal (a continuous record going back to January 1983):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48774809@N07/52666179782/in/dateposted-public/

I’m well aware of the risks of injury. I’ve learned the hard way that there’s a fine line between a really good workout and injury. That’s one reason that I have a weight lifting expert and experienced canoe coaches to lean on for guidance.

I’m also very lucky to have a very supportive wife who does just as much physical exercise as I do. She’s the same age as I am (she’s training for the Chicago marathon this Fall and upcoming canoe racing and goes to the gym twice a week with me). We’re racing tomorrow (2–4-2023) in Vancouver Canada in our 2 paddler canoe (6 mile race)

@gondwanalon My nephew is a bodybuilder, so I get it. Frankly your workout relationship is what I’d love to have with my husband or a girlfriend, kinda jealous.
Best of luck to you two tomorrow!!

You do sound like you have something to prove BUT that’s not a bad thing. You want to better yourself and there’s nothing wrong with that. You want to prove that you can be better than last year and be competitive in your age group and be a real contender. Someone to look out for and not be a push-over. Good for you! Kick their butt’s!
Me? I just want to graduate and move on to college and if I could kick this epilepsy one day, I may be able to do good things!

Of course you have something to prove. The question is really who are you trying to prove it to? Sounds to me like you have a really cool hobby and are trying to make yourself as good as you can be…that you can be one of the best. I hope you do.