Gym anxiety after major weight loss — looking for input

From the other side of the consultation, briefly.

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

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.

One thing that is still open after newstart_MO’s answer:

What did you change at the same time, and can you separate the two now?

SarahChen_PharmD 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 (275 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications, dreaded mirrors, avoided photos, social anxiety about my weight.

After (190 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: 90 lbs. Total life gained: immeasurable. This isn't just about weight — it's about reclaiming your identity.

SarahChen_PharmD 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.

Moderator note: a couple of off-topic posts removed. Thread quality here is what the rules are for. Keep it up.