“You look awesome.”

I had headphones in my ears at the time, so I didn’t realize I was being spoken to right away. Then the speaker got my attention, so I removed them from my ears.

“You look awesome,” she repeated.

At first, I was confused. What’s she talking about? Do I know her? Was she hitting on me? Was I being Punk’d?

“I haven’t been to the gym in a while, so I haven’t seen you in a few months, but wow, you look awesome.”

I then realized this young lady was paying me a compliment. And yes, I did remember her. She used to be a regular at the gym.

I thanked her, told her how that was “such a sweet thing to say” and that she had made my day. And then we went our separate ways.

It took several moments for what had just happened to process in my brain. This, you see, was the first compliment I had received on my appearance (family members do not count) since I switched to a healthier lifestyle.

I know I’ve made progress, but in my mind I think about how far I still have to go. I estimate it will be another three months before I’m where I should be. And because I’m constantly looking at still what must be done, I don’t appreciate what’s already been accomplished.

But then I heard those three little words.

Validation. You don’t realize you need it until someone gives it to you.