Date: April 22, 2025
Author: Emil Col
Wow, you look incredible! I don’t know what you’ve been doing, but you’ve lost so much weight!”
At first, I didn’t think much of it. It was just a casual compliment from someone I know, someone who probably meant well. But as the day went on, those words kept circling in my mind, replaying over and over like a broken record. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how those words had actually affected me.
On the surface, it seemed like a harmless remark. It’s something a lot of people hear, and I’m sure it’s said out of kindness. But for someone who has spent years battling with body image issues, hearing something like that can stir up a whole whirlwind of emotions. It feels like a validation of everything I’ve been struggling with internally, as if weight loss is the ultimate marker of success or health. The truth is, I don’t know what I’ve been doing either. I’m not on any kind of weight loss plan, and I haven’t been intentionally trying to change my body.
But this compliment felt like it came with a weight of its own. It forced me to confront how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ve been dealing with a lot of internal struggles. There have been days where I feel so low, like my mind is fighting against me, and my body is just along for the ride. My eating habits aren’t always healthy, and sometimes it feels like I don’t have control over what or when I eat. It’s a hard thing to admit, but it’s part of my reality.
The more I thought about what was said, the more I realized that the weight loss had come from a place of distress. I don’t think anyone would ever expect that when they compliment someone on their appearance. I didn’t want to admit it, but my eating habits, or lack thereof, were taking a toll. It’s complicated—there are moments when I feel proud of myself for what people perceive as “progress,” but deep down, I know that this isn’t the kind of transformation I want.
That compliment made me feel both seen and unseen at the same time. Yes, I know people are trying to be kind, but when it comes to my body, it’s never that simple. Weight loss is only one small part of the bigger picture, and it doesn’t necessarily equate to health, happiness, or success. It doesn’t take into account the struggles, the battles, and the emotional toll it takes to get here. And honestly, I wish people understood that a little more.
I guess I’m still working through it. I’m trying to navigate the complex relationship I have with my body, and it’s hard when outside forces like compliments pull me back into old thought patterns. I just hope that one day, I can truly learn to appreciate myself—no matter what size I am. Until then, I’m learning to take those compliments with a grain of salt, understanding that there’s so much more beneath the surface that no one ever sees.
So yeah, thank you for the compliment. But I’m still figuring it out.
