You should continue to feel proud—not just for the physical changes you’ve accomplished but for the strength and resilience it takes to achieve and maintain them. Understand that some people may comment on your appearance without understanding or seeing the invisible victories: stabilized blood sugar, regulated hunger cues, better sleep, clearer thinking, quieted shame. They may not recognize the emotional weight you’ve shed, the habits you’ve rewired, or the courage it took to ask for help in the first place. And while their discomfort, skepticism, or unsolicited opinions may be hurtful, they do not diminish your choices.
