I recently had a business trip to New Jersey/New York. I have not seen many of these people since a year ago. A lot of things have changed in a year. I have definitely lost weight but mostly I have lost lots of inches and changes in body composition.
Over and over again, I heard comments about "how good I looked." I was questioned about many things....like "you're not sick are you?" (my company is actually filled with a lot of sincerely caring people).
I would pretty much just wave off the comments and go on my merry way. I am learning to say thank you most of the time but really I still have a ways to go so it is hard to always view how much I have accomplished in the same eyes of others. I don't mean that I am not proud of how far I have come...because I am...but all I can think of is that I have long ways to go and how much I wish I was closer to whatever point I will think that I am close to "normal" size.
When I got back from the trip, I was stopped at the gym by a client of my trainer who also said that she had wanted to tell me how much change she could see. Okay, now she is a total stranger and just someone at the gym....the one place I like to be anonymous....in the corner...not noticed...but I said thank you and moved on.
Some day I will know how to accept compliments and not feel so awkward.
In brighter news, I did the sprint tri distances at the gym this morning. I was painfully slow but I did it all. I even jogged most of the 5K at the end...with my fastest 1/4 mile at the end. This is the second time I have done the full distances. I do think I cut a bit of time off on the bike and the run....but the swim was so slow. I am not an efficient swimmer at all. I need to work on that. I am actually considering if I can do an olympic distance tri (for REAL) next year....maybe.
For many of us accepting compliments can be almost as hard as accepting criticism.
ReplyDeleteNow, here's another compliment Well Done .... keep on going you are doing great.
All the best Jan
Hi Lynn, Congrats on the super compliments! You did the work to earn them! I guess a person starts accepting compliments by shutting up (the mouth) ways to make the compliment smaller. Though, I often tell people that I really didn't start out the way I am--mine was baby steps for many years. Certain people feel more comfortable with me knowing some of my beginner details. :D
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