So overweight yet I can’t stop eating

Low carbing

I'm doing a fasting diet because I find it much easier than just trying to cut out everything I love eating. So on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I eat a very low amount of calories (usually between 500-700) and on the other days I just eat normally. I find myself being more motivated to eat better even on my non-fasting days because I lost weight easily from week one. I also find the fasting days easier than a normal diet because I can just think "it's only for today, tomorrow I can have a bar of chocolate" or whatever.

I think Mounjaro can cause anxiety. I’ve had anxiety for no reason on Mounjaro, but I suffer with OCD already. I think it can exacerbate things.

But, I’ve stuck with it regardless because the feeling of losing weight is addictive. I’ve lost 3 stone since March 1st and when people start noticing, it feels great. I’m almost at my ideal weight now…it didn’t take long.

Eating feels good in the moment, but the misery it causes afterwards, not to mention the heartburn, the discomfort and the embarrassment of looking frumpy in everything is way worse (to me) than the anxiety I feel from the injection. Plus, I’m learning to deal with my anxiety in new ways…exercise for one. Exercise is such a great distraction, and you do feel good afterwards. If I’m feeling a bit worried or stressed, I pop on an intense 5 minute Anabolic Alien YouTube video and burn myself out.

Also what were you eating on Mounjaro. On the days where I eat lots of salad, leafy greens, unprocessed protein and nuts and seeds I feel pretty good. On days where I’ve calorie counted pizza as a quick alternative, I tend to get worse anxiety. I’m still learning.

I’d say give it another go, but change your mindset with it. Healthy food, lots of exercise, plenty of sleep. Deep breathing also helps me through periods of anxiety. Then 3 months on, you’re looking in the mirror thinking ‘wow, I look incredible’ and your debit card is begging you not to spend more money on new clothes.

Food and emotions are so complex. I hope you find some help with working on your anxiety. I'm using Mounjaro from TribElle, and the person I spoke with was lovely and supportive and answered all my questions.

Slowly upping the dose on Mounjaro should help as well to find your right level.

Have there been times in your life where you've had a healthier relationship with food? If so, what was different?

I'm currently piling on the pounds and I can't work out why I don't have the motivation/will to stop, probably is because I'm not getting much enjoyment elsewhere, but it's likely deeper than that too

I think Mounjaro was made exactly for people like you. You can't resist eating, you are obese and food noise has literally taken over your life. Please try Mounjaro again for a longer period. You also need therapy because it sounds like you have taken to eating to calm your anxiety so when you take thay away you will feel anxious. You need to find New strategies to deal with your anxiety; walking/swimming/painting ? Something that makes you calmer.

You can do this @Person246. Don't feel ashamed or guilty over your eating disorder. You are not alone ❤️

Genuinely I’d focus on dealing with your mind rather than your diet, when you fix one the other will follow. You eat, essentially self medicate, with food to treat your anxiety/depression/feelings, it makes you feel better. Mounjaro took that away from you, and that’s why you felt more anxious, you are always going to feel more anxious dieting unless you do some real mental work on undoing that link you have between food & happiness.

Have you considered talking to a therapist about this? They may be able to help?

Why did you stop Mounjaro. You need to get some sort of sensible routine into your eating. I think you should give it another go. And have regular meals and avoid binging.

This is such a wise observation.

It may have made you feel anxious, as you weren’t able to “self-medicate” with food, and had to deal with your feelings without it.

If you have the time hop on over to YouTube and watch this discussion, by the Public Health Collaboration.

Panel Discussion - How to overcome food addiction #PHC2023

It is only 50 minutes and might give you some ideas of where to start.
Best of luck.

Why did you give up on the Mounjaro ?

You have a food addiction, and like all addictions it’s not easy to just quit.

I started on MJ on Nov, am 5 stone (neatly) down, I have also been to CBT to get a better grip on why I eat. Keeping the weight off will be a lifelong battle.

What made you stop taking mounjaro?

I tried mounjaro for 7 weeks and then gave up.

Did you not get on with it?