(JK, I geek out about both.)
In late 2022, I was writing an article for this site on thelatest in depression treatment.
I grew up relatively average-sized, but I was always active AND athletic.
Michela Buttignol / Verywell Mind
Once I got to college, though, beer pong was about as active as I got.
One of my high school besties had asked me to be her bridesmaid for her wedding in Aruba.
Two years older than me, MaryBeth was always my cool friend.
With that event looming, I decided I needed to fit inliterally.
My weight had crept up to a number I was incredibly uncomfortable with.
I ended up losing 50 pounds, slowly but surely.
I knocked those birds dead, and forged a new identity for myself: fitness blogger and marathoner.
The Gain
For years, I was successful at keeping the weight off.
Even through my moms first bout of cancer, Istillmaintained the goal weight I had achieved through my blog.
Some crept on in that initial aftermath; others joined in the wake of the globalpandemic.
Even knowing that, though, was a tough shot to take.
Learning that, I felt both vindicated and shamed all at once.
Some of the studiesas well as what I’ve learned in my schoolingpoint to both behavioral andbiological changes.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
By that point, Id been unhappy with my weightagainfor at least the previous six years.
Many of my lab results were beginning to veer into the unhealthy categories.
Running and my other favorite activities felt unreasonably hard.
Trying to make lifestyle changes felt to me like trying to hold on to a runaway train.
were just the wrong ones for the job.
I felt incredibly stuck in my life and had a hard time moving forward in almost every area.
That was a big HELL NO moment.
Fatigue andbrain fogare two of my most annoying symptoms and anything that might contribute to thatandcauseweight gain?
By this time, GLP-1 medications were beginning to become popular.
Yet, I’m (mostly) OK with being a therapist who also needs to takepsychiatric medication.
Plus, I’ve found it easier to keep up with myhealthier habits.
With that said, it hasnt been all puppies and sunshine.
Another analogy I use is that it can be similar tonaltrexonefor someone who struggles withalcohol use disorder.
Letting People In
My relationship with GLP-1 medications was a bit like an affair.
At first, I wanted to hide it to keep it safe from opinions.
Things were going well, and clearly telling people would jinx that.
Wouldnt this just be like any other thing Id tried?
Something that would work for a while but inevitably weight would come back.
They would be a sympathetic and safe audience.
Next in were friends who were medical or allied health professionals whose objectiveness I hoped I could count on.
Unfortunately, my gut instinct was correct, and her reaction to that didnt feel good.
Finally, I let almost everyone in.
I wasnt ready to share my secret until I felt more solid with it.
Why can she work 60 hour weeks AND clean her house and and and?
My reasoning: I didnt want someone comparing themselves to a version of me that didnt exist.
That is, someone who lost all of this weight based on willpower alone.
I didnt want someone comparing themselves to a version of me that didnt exist.
That is, someone who lost all of this weight based on ‘willpower’ alone.
Willpoweris a finite resource, which is why most weight loss attempts are ultimately unsuccessful.
That ignores the bigger systems that created the myth that weight loss is just about willpower.
For anyone reading this who’s beenconsidering these medications, I hope this article helps you feel less alone.
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