Grief over lost years — looking for input

Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in:

Before (293 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications, dreaded mirrors, avoided photos, social anxiety about my weight.

After (178 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: 93 lbs. Total life gained: immeasurable. This isn't just about weight — it's about reclaiming your identity.

jim_asheville said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (293 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

Recovering from an eating disorder and using mental health: this is a complex situation and I want to be transparent about it.

I have a history of binge eating disorder. My psychiatrist, therapist, and prescribing doctor all collaborate on my care. The GLP-1 agonist has actually been therapeutic — it removes the biological urgency of binge impulses without relying on restriction.

This is NOT appropriate for all ED patients. Anorexia, bulimia, and restrictive EDs require different approaches. But for BED specifically, the evidence and my personal experience are positive. Always involve your mental health team.

jim_asheville said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (293 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

That is right, and it stops being right at the edges. The general case is well behaved; the interesting cases in this thread are all at the boundary where the general case breaks.

jim_asheville said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (293 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

This is exactly what I could not find anywhere else. Printing the relevant bit and taking it with me.

Moderator note: reminder that nothing in this thread is medical advice, and that clinical claims need a source. Thread quality here is what the rules are for. Keep it up.