Caring for Your Mind and Body While Taking a Weight Loss Medication
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/VWM-GLP1-package-header-2-D2-sized1-ad3ea0d6ad6c46e98c20f830c87a19b0.jpg)
From expert advice to real stories, here's your 101 on GLP-1s
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
Medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOSMedically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOSAt Verywell Mind, we champion body positivity at any size. It’s not about how you look, it’s about how you feel both physically and mentally. That said, obesity can come with an increased risk of adverse health conditions, both physical and mental. If you and your doctor have decided that weight loss is the right path for your well-being, we’re here to provide you with the guidance you need to feel strong and supported in your journey.With the rise of type 2 diabetes medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro being marketed for weight loss, it may be tempting to jump head first into these medications (otherwise known as GLP-1 agonists) to help lower your blood sugar as well as the number on your bathroom scale. According to psychologist Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS, "GLP-1s are a treatment option for obesity and can be extremely helpful with proper care and professional guidance." But while these medications may be effective, they are equally as complex.In this spotlight, we tap into the brains of trusted doctors, therapists, and dietitians to break down everything you need to know about GLP-1s and hear from real people about the impact they have made on their weight loss. Read on for their top tips for taking care of your mind and body while navigating this journey.What to Consider Before Considering Weight Loss Medication
When it comes to weight loss, it seems everyone has an opinion on what works best. But the decision to take anti-obesity medications is between you and your doctor—and you two alone.It’s a personal choice and one that takes your physical and emotional needs into consideration. Let’s take a look at some of the things you might want to consider before considering a GLP-1.
Read More
The Mental Health Impact
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
For any medication, you should inform yourself about both its benefits and disadvantages. But with GLP-1s in particular, you might want to consider not only how the medication will affect you physically and emotionally, but also how the associated weight loss will impact your life. Maybe you’ve heard some of the more extreme side effects like Ozempic face, out-of-character behavior, or extreme nausea, and you’re terrified that will be you. Or you're worried about being on medication for the rest of your life. All of your concerns are valid. Learn more about how exactly a GLP-1 can affect your mental health before, during, and after it's taken.
Read More
Healthy Habits to Practice
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
While so much of the focus around these drugs in the media relates to weight loss and appearance, it’s important to remember that health is about so much more than the number on the scale.While the effects of these medications can be life-changing—and even life-saving in some cases—there are still some health concerns to keep in mind. We also share expert tips for nurturing your mental and physical health when taking GLP-1s.
Read More
Life After Weight Loss
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
When significant weight loss is intentional, people feel a range of emotions from euphoria to desperation to disbelief. For example, for those who were restricted physically by their weight, losing weight can feel like a chance at freedom to move their bodies in ways that may have been hard before weight change.On the other side of the coin, they may also experience disappointment or dysphoria as they navigate their eating-related challenges and body image issues. Explore one woman's weight loss journey and the expert strategies to stay mentally well in your "new" body.
Read More
Coping With How The World Treats You Differently
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
Losing weight can bolster confidence, but it can also impact how others treat you. Knowing how to manage relationships and social changes after weight loss is vital to protect your mental health as you navigate the maze of feelings associated with having a “new body.”While having a smaller body can certainly help you feel more confident, there are also some downsides, namely, the way other people start to treat you in your everyday life.
Read More
Managing Your New Relationship With Food
Verywell Mind / Getty Images
We all think about eating to some extent—it’s crucial for life. Food noise is a “colloquial” term for a chronic preoccupation with food and eating. But food noise becomes problematic if it’s so frequent and intense that it overpowers your ability to enjoy eating and daily life.GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound can help reduce food noise, especially with lifestyle tools like diet and exercise. However, it’s possible to take some steps to reduce food noise even if you're not taking GLP-1s. Additionally, experts share that people may benefit from these strategies while using the medication.
Read More
"I'm Done Feeling Ashamed About My Choice"
Michela Buttignol / Verywell Mind
One of the great disservices of social media is that the highlight reel that we do see often leads us to extrapolating false details about someone else’s life to match that tiny, perfect sliver. You see the successful power couple and their perfect home, and when you don’t see the housekeeper who gets it that clean, you start making unfair comparisons in your head. “Why can she work 60 hour weeks AND clean her house and and and?”Willpower is a finite resource, which is why most weight loss attempts are ultimately unsuccessful. Additionally, as the other factors in your brain and body stack against you, that willpower becomes even harder to tap into. Which is why Theodora Blanchfield, AMFT, grappled with her decision to disclose that she was on anti-obesity medications... at first.
Read More
"I Don't Feel Like Myself Anymore"
Michela Buttignol / Verywell Mind
Losing weight feels empowering and often boosts self-esteem. However, losing weight doesn’t always equate to feeling better mentally. Some people who lose weight successfully might not feel entirely like themselves after the weight comes off.Here are some things that have changed for Michele since embarking on her GLP-1 weight loss journey.
Read More
"My Weight Loss Isn't an Invitation to Comment on My Body"
Michela Buttignol / Verywell Mind
It has taken decades with lots of support to heal Katharine's relationship with food and her body, and recovery is ongoing. Comments about people’s bodies still affect her even when they aren’t directed toward her. They remind her of the beliefs that used to hold their grip and bring her back to her vulnerable and troubled 14-year-old self.Whether it’s comments about someone’s height, weight loss, weight gain, skin, hair, teeth, or nails, these words have a deeper impact than we think. Commenting on these things is rarely okay and usually not helpful, but rather hurtful. Read more about Katharine's weight loss journey and the comments that came with it.
Read More
TakeawayYou should know that, no matter what, you are always the one in charge of your own body, and if something feels off with a medication or a practitioner, you deserve to trust your gut and make a change if necessary.
All articles in this package were medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS. Read the original article on Verywell Mind.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings