How far did negative motivation get you?

I've been going to the gym for almost 3 months now and have been almost hyper-committed for my fitness level. I'm in a cutting phase with my diet and have been tracking my meals daily, spending 1-1.5 hours at the gym daily and drinking maybe once a week. However, everyone that's commented about my recent habits has asked why I'm doing this, and I've been lying mostly, saying it's to help with back support (I have a slight spinal deformity) etc.

This is mostly a lie. I'm gay and I'm doing this to fit in. I know I'll never have the perfect body, but I'm doing everything I can to try. 90% of why I'm doing this is to feel valued by other people (at least aesthetically) and I'm fine with that.

Yes, I recognize this is a shitty reason, but it's kept me going so far, and I doubt I'm the only one. For those on r/fitness who have gone to the gym based on poor body image, self-punishment and the like, how far did that motivation take you? Did you get to your goals or did you burn yourself out?

TL;DR: I'm getting muscular to fit in, will this motivation go the distance?