Hi {{first_name}} -
Many years ago, a friend of mine lost about 80 pounds with a gastric sleeve. At the end of her journey, she weighed about 150 pounds, which for someone 5’7” is a perfect weight. But she was disappointed. She said she didn’t think that 150 would “look like this”. The happiness with her body that she thought the surgery would bring didn’t materialize. Now what?
I actually heard this a lot when I worked in bariatics. People assumed that once they hit that number, everything would click into place: confidence, happiness, ease with food, peace with their body. And while there can absolutely be positive changes, that “arrival” feeling isn’t guaranteed, and it may never show up.
Because happiness and confidence are not that related to how you look. They are a lot more about your mindset and how you feel about yourself. They are very rarely external.
As people lose weight, what I often see is this:
The goal mindset that came with losing weight disappears, and with it, a sense of direction. There isn’t a goal anymore, and that can feel empty.
Also, other things in your life didn’t magically improve with weight loss. Your husband didn’t suddenly start being nicer. You were still left out of social invitations. You still don’t have that promotion you have been wanting.
And underlying thoughts about your body or identity don’t magically resolve just because the scale changed.
So instead of feeling finished or proud, some people feel… uncertain or even more unhappy.
I have found this myself. I have spent my WHOLE LIFE trying to lose weight. And although my weight is perfect for a 46-year-old woman, I still sometimes think, “What if I could lose a little more? Or what if I was able to fix that mommy tummy?” These feelings tend to come up when I am feeling sad about something else in my life. I always blame it on the weight.
But then I remind myself, who am I really trying to impress? Is anything really going to improve in my life if I lose 5 more pounds? Does anyone care if I have a bit of extra midsection fat? I had 2 kids!
What am I really feeling sad/anxious/frustrated about? That is the real question because at this point, it’s not the weight.
So what we need to understand as we continue on this journey is that weight loss and long-term contentment are not the same. And this is where the real work begins.
If you’ve felt this way, you’re not alone. If you are struggling and want a safe space to share, consider joining the membership where over 40+ GLP1 users are sharing these kinds of stories and experiences. Plans start at just $9/month.
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As a registered dietitian, I always tell people on a GLP-1 journey, what you’re not eating matters just as much as what you are — and that’s exactly why a protein shake might not be enough, you may need a real meal replacement.
GLP-1’s suppress your appetite, which means most people end up eating far less protein than they need. And over time, that starts to show up, low energy, muscle loss, even things like hair thinning.
But some days it can be hard to finish a meal. When your appetite is that low, getting enough in can feel like a challenge.
You may have tried protein shakes and adding in separate vitamins, but it can get expensive, and you still might feel like you aren’t giving your body what it actually needs. That’s why I recommend Maeva. Maeva is designed specifically for people on GLP-1, with everything in one — high-quality protein, collagen, fiber, biotin, plus 15 essential vitamins and minerals.
It’s not just a protein shake. It’s helping fill in the gaps that creep up when you’re eating less. If you’re on a GLP-1 and not thinking about total nutrition yet, start now.
Head to www.maeva.co and use code ANA20 to try Maeva for yourself with 20% off your first order.
What’s Happening This Week
On the podcast this week, I interviewed GLP1 user Ty Gipson, who has an incredible story of a wild health journey and how he carried on despite multiple setbacks. I also interviewed Beverly Atkins, founder of the app Pauseture, about how to use body awareness to regulate your nervous system and how it can help improve so many areas of your life (including weight).
Over on YouTube, I posted a video about how up to 25% of GLP1 users have some type of malnutrition (and what you can do about it) and also a video about the top 5 nutrition priorities on GLP1 (so you don’t get overwhelmed!).
I was also interviewed on the Raz Patel show, where we got into all sorts of nuances about long-term success on GLP1. Make sure you check it out!
Thank you so much for being here! See you next week!
Brello Disclaimer:
Any information provided is for informational purposes only and should not
be construed as medical advice; it is not a substitute for professional medical
consultation, diagnosis, or treatment.
All patients must consult with a healthcare provider before the prescription or dispensing of any medication, which will be done only pursuant to a valid prescription.
Compounded drug products are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not evaluate their safety, effectiveness, or quality. Patients are encouraged to discuss the risks, benefits,
and appropriateness of any medications, including compounded products, with their healthcare provider before use.