Compliments are important.

jefedesalto
jefedesalto Posts: 154 Member
in Motivation and Support
Sometimes we forget just how important they are. I'd like to share a story that just happened about 5 minutes ago.

I was on my way back from the restroom when I passed by this woman (she is also a soldier in the Army with me) that I haven't seen in about 2 months. She is a big girl and I have to admit that I have been guilty of judging her in the past. It's terrible when a Military person looks morbidly obese. Well I won't make that mistake again.

I didn't know particulars of her story but I just found out that she had serious thyroid issues this past year.

So when I saw her this time after 2 months, her uniform looked to be fitting with a lot more slack and her weight loss was noticeable. Not very noticeable but after struggling with my weight I was able to see it. So I took the risk and decided to ask her if she had lost weight. Which is sometimes a gamble as the Army is very, very strict on sexual harassment and asking questions like that.

Well I got nervous because at first, it looked like she was about to cry. Then she just exhaled and said, "Oh my God... Thank you for noticing. I just left the gym and was starting to ask myself 'Why bother' because I have been working my butt off for 3 months and nobody has seemed to notice." She then told me about her health issues. So I told her that I'm glad she was losing and that she looked great and to keep it up.

I was blown away by her reaction and just had to share this. All too easily we forget how much a few kind words can reignite someones motivation and elevate their self esteem. So today I am going to issue a challenge to myself. I am going to try to pay a compliment to at least one stranger every day.

Replies

  • 295mt
    295mt Posts: 6
    Great story, thank you for sharing!! Compliments usually mean more than we think when we give one! You're a good example to us all. Oh, and way to go- just noticed you're almost to your goal!!!! Awesome!
  • QTRARO
    QTRARO Posts: 75 Member
    I agree. I like to compliment people and try to be more aware of others as it's easy to get caught up in ourselves.

    I love compliments too, getting told how I've lost weight and things is a nice feeling mostly old friends and old work colleagues I bump into notice it more rather than people I see everyday as it's been gradual :)

    There are people I work with here who have lost 16kg and another has lost 11kg using MFP.. amazing really I should compliment them more. It does feel a little awkward complimenting men though especially in the office so have to be a bit careful.
  • Rum_Runner
    Rum_Runner Posts: 617 Member
    Very true!!

    Thank you for sharing - great story!!!
  • Sweetpea472
    Sweetpea472 Posts: 229 Member
    That's a wonderful story; thank you so much for sharing! I think your goal is admirable, and I'd like to join you in such a wonderful endeavor!
  • spud_chick
    spud_chick Posts: 2,640 Member
    You hit on one reason people avoid mentioning it sometimes; the fear of a sexual harassment scenario makes people afraid to say something complimentary, especially at work where people see us the most and are in a good position to notice. I went down two pants sizes before anyone at my work said anything to me (and it wasn't a man). None of my husband's family who saw me at Thanksgiving said anything even though they hadn't seen me since I started losing. My husband has been so thrilled that I'm exercising at all I guess I feel like he'd say nice things no matter how I looked. Funny how it matters more from a stranger :)

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