Caring for Your Mind and Body While Taking a Weight Loss Medication

At 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.

If you decide that GLP-1s are the right treatment option for you, please know that it is not 'taking the easy way out' and there's nothing wrong with seeking a treatment that is available to you.

— RACHEL GOLDMAN, PHD, FTOS

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.

The Mental Health Impact

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.

Healthy Habits to Practice

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. 

Life After Weight Loss

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.

Coping With How The World Treats You Differently

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.

Managing Your New Relationship With Food

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.

"I'm Done Feeling Ashamed About My Choice"

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.

"I Don't Feel Like Myself Anymore"

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.

"My Weight Loss Isn't an Invitation to Comment on My Body"

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.

All articles in this package were medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS.