chris_chi24 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.

dan_philly said:

RetaRick_CA said: ...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...

Genuinely useful, thank you. I had the facts and not the framework.

chris_chi24 said:

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

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in:

Before (261 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications, dreaded mirrors, avoided photos, social anxiety about my weight.

After (186 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: 91 lbs. Total life gained: immeasurable. This isn't just about weight — it's about reclaiming your identity.

JakeBK_lifts said:

The weight came off and the harder part started, which is not what any of the material I read had prepared me for.

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

I have a history of binge eating disorder. My psychiatrist, therapist, and prescribing doctor all collaborate on my care. The GLP-1 agonist has actually been therapeutic — it removes the biological urgency of binge impulses without relying on restriction.

This is NOT appropriate for all ED patients. Anorexia, bulimia, and restrictive EDs require different approaches. But for BED specifically, the evidence and my personal experience are positive. Always involve your mental health team.

Moderator note: good thread. Keeping it here rather than moving it, because the question is general enough to be useful. No action needed from anybody.