If you’ve signed up for my fortnightly email newsletter, you’ll already know that while I am continuing to go for a walk most mornings, I’ve been feeling a bit discouraged.
Since starting in about August last year, I’ve built up from a quick turn around the block, to around 4km or 5000 steps.
Despite all this, the numbers on the scales haven’t really changed. I’m grateful they haven’t continued the upward trend (from before I got back into walking), but still … I’ve been feeling quite discouraged.
On Friday morning, I just wasn’t feeling it and told myself that it was too hot, it was too wet, I was too tired, I had too much work to do … I “excused” myself from my usual exercise routine. (Naughty Janet!).
But then something happened that made me feel much better, with the result that first thing Monday morning I set off for my walk with new enthusiasm.
So what made the difference?
It was the power of an encouraging word.
Over the weekend the hubster was going through some photos from our trip to Bali a year ago. After a while he called me to join him, saying, “I want to show you something”.
He showed me some pics where I am wearing a bikini, before turning to me and saying: “I know you’ve been saying you haven’t lost any weight from walking, but your body doesn’t look like that anymore.”
Of course being the SNAG (sensitive new age guy) that he is, he then went on to clarify that he was perfectly happy with me regardless, but he’d noticed a difference, before concluding, “you may not have lost weight, but you’re looking much more toned”.
Well! What a boost to my flagging enthusiasm, and just when I needed it most (bless his little cotton socks).
It’s also rather timely, because this Thursday 1 March is World Compliments Day.
I think it goes to show that the best compliments aren’t fake or flattery – they are meaningful, because somebody has not only taken the time to really see, know, and understand us, but also recognised the effort we have been making.
Is there somebody you can cheer with the power of an encouraging word this week?
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