The weight came off and the harder part started, which is not what any of the material I read had prepared me for.
The bit I cannot resolve on my own is how people separated a drug effect from the ordinary consequences of a large deficit and disrupted sleep, because I cannot.
Practical detail welcome, however dull — the duller the better.
roxy_nash said:The weight came off and the harder part started, which is not what any of the material I read had prepared me for.
Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me. Change — even positive change — is stressful. I was anxious about loose skin.
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.
labquiet_amy said:Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me.
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.
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View ResultsClinical perspective, offered as context rather than as advice.
Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in:
Before (296 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications, dreaded mirrors, avoided photos, social anxiety about my weight.
After (191 lbs): Run 3 miles regularly, pain-free, A1C normal, down to 1 medication, bought a swimsuit for the first time in a decade, actually enjoy being photographed.
Total weight lost: 81 lbs. Total life gained: immeasurable. This isn't just about weight — it's about reclaiming your identity.