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quitting once you start getting compliments

Kaddyshack21
Kaddyshack21 Posts: 225 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I know this must happen to other people. As soon as I start seeing real progress in my weight loss or people start to compliment me on my weight loss. Any general comments about my appearance and how they have improved, it's like I throw myself off the wagon.

I don't know why I do this. Part of me thinks it's an overconfidence like "I got this I figured it out I don't need to follow any guidelines I know what I am doing" ( Quickly 20lbs is back on my *kitten*) Part of me thinks that I am uncomfortable with the attention.... I don't know.

So what do you guys think about this?? Anybody else do this? How did you overcome the urge to quit? I really need to get some advice on this. I am stuck in a really vicious cycle. THANKS

Replies

  • Jenph20
    Jenph20 Posts: 134 Member
    i use to be like this. I would lose 20 lbs and think i was all set. I wouldnt even bother continuing bc i though i would be good to go. I would then gain it back and be to square one. Last year, i found a workout that completely changed my way of thinking. I became addicted to it and working out. I also joined a support group that helped keep me motivated on on task. I have a womens only support group on fb if you would like to join :) We would love to have you! :)
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    good article about detraining, and how you lose so much fitness in the same time that it takes to build it.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    When I see clothes a little too small that I love on sale, I buy a few and hang them on my wall. I want to weat them because I spent the money.
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    This is so backward to me. Why would you stop when you start getting compliments? Like last night I went grocery shopping and the person behind me complimented me on the healthy display of produce and lean meats on the belt, and I was like "Hell yeah, I'm doing good and I know it!" Maybe it will motivate her to make healthier choices herself in the future, but I don't know. It was a shot in the arm to keep doing what I'm doing because it's working!
  • ohpiper
    ohpiper Posts: 697 Member
    Compliments are absolutely wonderful to hear, but I keep going because what I'm doing makes me feel good. Feeling good motivates me to keep doing what I'm doing. Compliments, though, feel really good and are motivating as well.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I used to do this. It was lke I froze anytime I realised that people could see what I was doing. I didnt want an audience when my faith in myself was still shaky. If they are already watching and noticing... that's another person beside myself that will see when I stop as well. Best to let them think it was a fluke or the flu and quit before they realise I was actually trying...

    Once I got more faith in myself and knew I wasn't going to quit... I stopped hiding.
  • fitnhealthykaren
    fitnhealthykaren Posts: 117
    OMG, I am the same way and I'm very nervous about sabotaging myself way too soon. I have such a long way to go (50-60lbs), but I'm already getting compliments. What the heck is it with our brains? It's like I have reverse anorexia (I feel and look thinner than I really am). WTH? I need some method of reminding myself that I have to keep working really hard and to not scale back until I've reached my FINAL goal! Thanks for sharing. :-)
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Have you thought about talking to a therapist? This sort of self-sabotage is very closely tied in with self esteem and feelings of self worth.
  • Elen_Sia
    Elen_Sia Posts: 638 Member
    This is so backward to me. Why would you stop when you start getting compliments? Like last night I went grocery shopping and the person behind me complimented me on the healthy display of produce and lean meats on the belt, and I was like "Hell yeah, I'm doing good and I know it!" Maybe it will motivate her to make healthier choices herself in the future, but I don't know. It was a shot in the arm to keep doing what I'm doing because it's working!

    I am the same way, too. The more compliments I get, the leaner I eat and the harder I work out at the gym. I refuse to settle. In my mind, I am never at my best.
  • Quasita
    Quasita Posts: 1,530 Member
    I have this issue, especially if I know the scale has only moved 3 pounds. I don't find the compliments motivating a lot of the time, sometimes I think it's just a BS encouragement because people know I'm trying. I always think, well if I can lose so little and make no actual difference on my appearance, but other people THINK they see it, what's the point?

    That's why this time I set a goal relative to a recommendation from a doctor with real, concrete reasons to keep going. It's not about looks for me, but reducing my pain. That has made a world of difference, and for the first time in my life, I'm successfully losing.

    Good luck, seek your motivation, and move your booty.
  • darylinny
    darylinny Posts: 146
    I'm usually more movitvated by compliments. I guess this is a "mindset" that you have to actively change. Knowing that you do this is half the battle.
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
    i'm passive agressive. and sometimes... a lot of the time, i'll turn that on myself too. i react better to "move your *kitten*!" than to "you're doing great." it's messed up, yeah, but it's an issue that i'm working through.
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,716 Member
    I can relate to this. Not in general, but specifically regarding my own mother. She's always been thin and beautiful and hated that I've always been fat. So anytime I ever lost weight she just.. she clearly loves me more. It makes me mad and sends me right to the ice cream out of spite.

    Luckily I have learned to recognize my self-destructive tendencies and try to avoid them as best I can.
  • Quasita
    Quasita Posts: 1,530 Member
    I can relate to this. Not in general, but specifically regarding my own mother. She's always been thin and beautiful and hated that I've always been fat. So anytime I ever lost weight she just.. she clearly loves me more. It makes me mad and sends me right to the ice cream out of spite.

    Luckily I have learned to recognize my self-destructive tendencies and try to avoid them as best I can.

    I just want to give you a patented Lynn hug and I wish I could tell you there was something else going on there. HUGS!
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