I don't like the attention

I would try to accept the compliment at face value. I think I know what you mean, perhaps like a little condescending like ooo the fat girl, changing her life....Kitchie coooo. Don't read too much into it.  Sometimes people don't know what to say - let's face it, they don't have a real relationship with you, it's just polite talk.  They may merely be guilty of misinterpreting that you did it for yourself not them. (however, most folks could argue that in a way, you did in fact do it for them - hard to be even a "big girl" in this economy.)