Imposter syndrome after weight loss — feeling like a fraud in my new body

PeptideChemSF said:

Dr.ObesityLA said: ...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...

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.

Dr.DermMIA said:

Mood changes on mental health: I want to be transparent — I went through a rough patch emotionally around month 4.

That reframing is the part I needed. Printing the relevant bit and taking it with me.

PeptideChemSF said:

Dr.ObesityLA said: ...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...

Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me. Change — even positive change — is stressful. I was anxious about whether I deserved to feel good.

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.

JenMemphis said:

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

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. ✨

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