NurseKim_ATL said:

Recovering from an eating disorder and using mental health: this is a complex situation and I want to be transparent about it.

This matches mine closely enough to be worth saying so out loud. The detail I would add is minor and it is already implied above.

One thing that is still open after Dr.KarenChen’s answer:

What would you measure differently if you were starting again?

PeptideSynthNJ said:

Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me.

Positive side effects of mental health that surprised me:

1. Clearer skin — inflammation reduction improved my rosacea
2. Better sleep — weight loss resolved mild sleep apnea
3. Improved libido — better body image + improved cardiovascular health
4. Less joint pain — obvious mechanical benefit
5. More energy — metabolic improvements across the board

Not everything about GLP-1 therapy is a struggle. There are genuinely wonderful changes too. ✨

PeptideSynthNJ said:

Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me.

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.

Moderator note: two posts asking for a source have been merged into one. Please search the thread before asking again. Tagging this one for the weekly digest.