Unsolicited (but much appreciated!) Compliments

RinnyLush
RinnyLush Posts: 389 Member
in Success Stories
I think a lot of us can agree that receiving compliments isn't always easy. Sometimes they come across as disingenuous, and sometimes the more vulgar displays (ie. cat-calling) are downright unwanted. Regardless, the kindness of words can still be very much appreciated under the right circumstances. I had an experience like that this morning and I am still beaming! :bigsmile:

A year ago I decided to take my health into my own hands and start getting fit. I tracked my food and starting walking to and from work, 45 minutes each way. I also spent more time at the yoga studio and gym working on my strength. Once I lost about 20 lbs I started training with the C25K program and fell in love with runnning. I started running to and from work everyday, about 30 minutes each way. Now that I am close to my goal and working on establishing sustainable habits I walk to work every morning (45 minutes downhill) and run home (30 minutes uphill).

This morning I was enjoying my tunes, the sunshine, and my morning walk to work when a car passing by blew its horn at me. Startled, I turned to see if i knew the person. A lady (who I had never met before) was smiling and waving me over to her car. I was confused, but curious, so I walked over. She unrolled her window and said:

"You're probably going to think I am really creepy, but I needed to catch you the next time I saw you. I see you run past my shop downtown everyday, and I just wanted to tell you how awesome I think you are. I've seen your body change immensely, and I really admire your dedication to your health. That's all. You rock!"

Flustered but flattered, I smiled and thanked her as she waved and drove off. Her words were genuine, friendly, and congratulatory. It was so kind of her to actually communicate that to me, a stranger, and it really made my day. What an ego boost! :blushing:

Anyway, I just thought I would share that little story as it seems fitting that it happened almost exactly a year since I started down this road to health. Success! Does anyone else have a story where they felt genuinely complimented?

PS: I plan to pay it forward with a compliment to a stranger today, as well. :flowerforyou:
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Replies

  • BonecrusherBrews
    BonecrusherBrews Posts: 131 Member
    This is so awesome!

    And great job!
  • TXPIP
    TXPIP Posts: 10
    You SHOULD feel good about the compliment! You have done an outstanding job of losing weight and shaping up. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!:happy:
  • 1Cor1510
    1Cor1510 Posts: 413 Member
    I had a gentleman come up to me at a get together this past weekend, and just started telling me all about how wonderful I am and he loves my hair and how fun I was and all this other stuff. It was crazy. I just kept saying thank you and all the while thinking, he must be frickin' nuts :laugh:

    I did appreciate it, though.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    This morning I was enjoying my tunes, the sunshine, and my morning walk to work when a car passing by blew its horn at me. Startled, I turned to see if i knew the person. A lady (who I had never met before) was smiling and waving me over to her car. I was confused, but curious, so I walked over.

    This never works for me, even when I offer candy
  • autopilot_off
    autopilot_off Posts: 83 Member
    I applaud that woman for having the guts to talk to you. I see people all the time around where I live running and walking. They're not in the best shape, but they do it. Every time I drive by I think to myself, "that is so freakin' awesome!"

    I'm glad that you were the recipient of such genuine appreciation, and while I don't think it's necessary for a person to be successful, it certainly provides a huge positive boost.
  • ashleydawndill
    ashleydawndill Posts: 242 Member
    Your story makes me smile a lot, that's so sweet of her! Made my day to hear about the kindness of others. ^_^
  • Slashnl
    Slashnl Posts: 339 Member
    That's so cool! How brave and generous of her to take the time to do that!
    Congrats on your progress, too. It must be obvious to others how much work you have done!
  • RinnyLush
    RinnyLush Posts: 389 Member
    I'm glad that you were the recipient of such genuine appreciation, and while I don't think it's necessary for a person to be successful, it certainly provides a huge positive boost.

    So true! I definitely already feel successful without external validation, but it sure was nice to hear it. :smile:

    And thanks, everyone, for all your kind comments!
  • KrissyRawrz
    KrissyRawrz Posts: 342 Member
    Awww that's so lovely :)
  • katkins73
    katkins73 Posts: 416 Member
    Wow, how wonderful to know you have inspired a stranger enough for her to do that! I feel proud on your behalf lol!
  • sljohnson1207
    sljohnson1207 Posts: 818 Member
    That is an incredible story, and incredible woman! You have done so well, and a total stranger noticed. Huge pat on your back, so congratulations!

    Since you asked....

    I was in the grocery store produce section last week after work. I had on a black work dress and black pumps. This woman (complete stranger to me) walked all the way over from the salad bar to the far side of produce to tell me exactly this:

    "Excuse me, miss....you look great in your dress. I mean, really great."

    I was flustered and flabbergasted as well, but beaming with delight, and thanked her. It was an awesome compliment, and just what I needed.
  • texasfarmer
    texasfarmer Posts: 502 Member
    I was getting ready to run my first 5K and there was a lady there that had amazing muscle tone in her thighs. Just overall athletic legs. I told my daughter that I would love to have legs like that. Saw her again about 15 minutes later and just went up to her and said, "I swear I'm not a weirdo, but you have amazing legs". Her face lite up with a beautiful smile and she thanked me. I truly believe people like to know that their hard work has paid off.
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    You ARE doing an amazing job and your dedication shows! So nice to have a boost like that!
  • headofphat
    headofphat Posts: 1,597 Member
    That's always what I want to say when I honk my horn at a girl but it comes out as "wooohooo!!!!"
  • allycolli
    allycolli Posts: 28 Member
    My favorite type of compliments are from other people who are fit. When they tell me how great I look or how strong and toned I am, I know they understand how much time and effort it took to get to where I am. One of the receptionists at my health club talked with me after checking me in because I looked so different from my ID picture. She asked me for advice and said that she admired my consistency and commitment to my health :D
  • Debmal77
    Debmal77 Posts: 4,770 Member
    Calgary people rock!!
  • sarahsedai
    sarahsedai Posts: 273 Member
    That's always what I want to say when I honk my horn at a girl but it comes out as "wooohooo!!!!"

    gt_zps33f50dbe.gif

    but seriously OP, that is awesome.
  • divainsneakers
    divainsneakers Posts: 397 Member
    Great story and thanks for sharing!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Oh yes! You're "the lady"!...

    Many years ago, when I lived with my parents we'd always see this lady power walking all over town but mostly on the main boulevard in our town that we needed to take to get almost everywhere. We watched her and her little pink/purple visor go Go GO everyday and she got slimmer and slimmer.

    It became part of our day to report not only on our days but also sightings of the lady and what we had observed.

    -"The lady looks like she lost like 15 lbs!"
    -"Saw the lady again she looks even slimmer!"
    -"Today a car didn't want to wait for the lady to cross the crosswalk, I honked"
    -"I saw the lady walking in the morning AND afternoon today"
    -"Wow the lady bought some shorter shorts"


    etc., etc., etc.

    Then for a bit she was not around and we forgot about her.

    None of us even thought to ask.

    Then out of the blue my mom came home and brought her up at dinner.

    -"I saw the lady today. She's gotten so big...She's gaining weight now again....."

    all of us around the dinner table...

    :huh:

    :noway:

    :frown:

    :ohwell:

    :brokenheart:

    :cry:

    My mom with a big grin...

    :bigsmile:

    -"...she's pregnant!"

    The whole family...:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

    You never know who you are inspiring...congratulations, you have become an inspiration to someone and who knows maybe even her whole family.

    That lady taught us,

    1- you do YOU.
    2- persistence
    3- exercise rain or shine
    4-sometimes a-holes won't wanna stop keep on keepin' on
    5- pink and purple can match if it's workout wear
    6-good things lead to better things
  • usernameMAMA
    usernameMAMA Posts: 681 Member
    Yay for genuine compliments! At the gym I used to go to there was a young man who was very overweight, he was there almost every day working out. I always admired him for the effort he put into his workout. He missed a week or so (I noticed he wasn't there) and then one day he was back working like a dog. I now wish I would've told him that he was awesome.
  • janine2355
    janine2355 Posts: 628 Member
    Yes! One random guy asked me if I was a professional dancer because of my Legs!! That was nice. don't know for sure if he was being a perv, but hey, I'll take it.
  • petergennery
    petergennery Posts: 1 Member
    Hi Guys

    This is my first post on MFP so please, be gentle :)

    Way back in June of this year I started on a low-carb way of eating, not essentially Atkins, just low carb. I already did quite alot of exercise but I wasnt getting any results so it had to be my nutrition. My starting weight? 266lb.

    Anyway, I've been super strict on my nutrition and regular weight lifting / spinning / insanity sessions over the past couple of months, usually racking up 5 - 6 workouts per week. My current weight is around 208lb and 18% body fat.

    Anyway, the point of this post? since losing weight my jacket has dropped 3 sizes, and my waist has shrunk 5 inches meaning I needed to buy a new suit at the weekend. During the purchase the sales guy commented that he wished he had my build to pull of this type of tailored suit.

    Was rather unexpected to say the least, but a good feeling none the less.
  • dawnmcneil10
    dawnmcneil10 Posts: 638 Member
    Compliments from strangers are the best! They're honest and truthful because they don't have any reason to try to boost your day other than just a genuine appreciation for what they see. Congratulations on making an impression on a stranger.

    I've had a couple instances that have shocked me into a smile. I started running a while ago with a goal of running a full mile without stopping, couldn't even do that in high school so it was a really big deal to me. I started out just jogging between telephone poles and it took a long time to run in public so when my neighbors started clapping as I ran by I thought they were crazy and honestly a part of me thought sarcasm until the neighborhood grump actually smiled at me running by, a few days later he said you know you're making amazing changes and should be proud of yourself, keep on going because YOU deserve it. Another moment was the day I ran further than ever before, new roads and they were very hilly and just when I was about to quit and walk an old man called from his porch while patting his old dog how impressive I was out there running in that heat, that kept me going and each day I drive by his house I smile at the memory. I hope these people who provide random compliments know how very much they are appreciated and remembered.
  • parsonsk64
    parsonsk64 Posts: 75 Member
    So great of that woman to take the time to pay you a compliment in person. And you know what, she is the one who spoke to you but I have to believe that there are many others who have seen you and had many positive thoughts toward you as well. I'm sure you have been an encouragement to many in your own fitness quest! Yay you!
  • redslog
    redslog Posts: 6
    I love that!!! I started today, hope some stranger will stop me in my tracks to say the same. Way to go!!! This post just inspired me, JOB WELL DONE!!!
  • HellaCarriefornia
    HellaCarriefornia Posts: 102 Member
    What a great story! Thanks for reminding us that there are still nice people out there.
  • jodynolte
    jodynolte Posts: 243 Member
    Congrats! And I really like that you decided to pay it forward with compliments. You will make someone else's day just as great as yours. That is cool.
  • MississippiMama87
    MississippiMama87 Posts: 204 Member
    You ARE awesome and I'm so glad you're on my FL!
  • JAROQUANDO
    JAROQUANDO Posts: 4 Member
    Awesome for you and the lady. Never underestimate the positive differences we can make each day with seemingly small gestures.
  • SlimMe37
    SlimMe37 Posts: 133 Member
    I hate compliments from strangers. They're always men and always creepy. I've had car horns from them, whistling from construction workers (its prob the norm for them) and being called a MILF. Also had someone try pick me up at the gym several times despite me saying no. I don't go to a gym anymore. Rather exercise at home.

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