DeniseRN_TPA said:Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 85 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes.
Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me. Change — even positive change — is stressful. I was anxious about regaining weight.
This is more common than people admit. A therapist who specializes in weight management has been invaluable. Don't neglect the mental health side of this journey.
tammy_FL said:Dr.GastroMayo said: ...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...
Thank you for spelling out the reasoning rather than just the conclusion.
DeniseRN_TPA said:Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 85 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes.
One year anniversary on mental health — reflections:
What I wish I'd known: the side effects are temporary, the benefits compound over time, protein is more important than I thought, and the mental health aspect needs as much attention as the physical.
What surprised me: how much my relationship with food changed, the cascade of health improvements beyond weight, and how supportive this community is.
What I'd do differently: start therapy earlier, prioritize resistance training from day 1, and stop comparing my progress to others. Everyone's journey is unique.
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Browse GL BiochemNurseAsh_DET said:The weight came off and the harder part started, which is not what any of the material I read had prepared me for.
Therapy insights from my mental health journey: my therapist introduced me to the concept of "identity updating" — the psychological work of becoming a new version of yourself.
Key realizations: I used food to manage emotions, I had internalized fatphobia that I'm still unpacking, my social identity was partly built around being "the big guy/girl," and learning to accept compliments is surprisingly hard when you've been invisible for years.
Physical transformation without emotional processing is unstable. Do both.
Moderator note: reminder that nothing in this thread is medical advice, and that clinical claims need a source. Tagging this one for the weekly digest.