More Than a Number: How Weight Loss Transformed My Mental Health

By: Kirah Gayle

A Therapist’s Journey Through Depression, Weight Struggles, and Healing

For many, weight loss is framed around appearance, numbers on a scale, clothing sizes, before-and-after photos. But for one therapist, the journey wasn’t about aesthetics. It was about survival, self-worth, and reclaiming mental health. In this powerful personal story, we explore the deep connection between weight loss and emotional well-being.

Discovering Depression Behind the Smile

When she first moved to Georgia, she didn’t realize anything was wrong. “I was overweight, sure, but I was functioning. I had a job. I did what I needed to do. I didn’t think I was depressed.”

Like many, she was experiencing functional depression, a silent storm hidden beneath day-to-day responsibilities. The tipping point came during a painful breakup and emotional burnout. Therapy opened the first door, but the breakthrough came with a single suggestion: “You should start moving your body.”

Her initial reaction was familiar: “What does working out have to do with my mental health?”

When Mental Health Meets Resistance

Being told to exercise, especially by someone who seems fit, can feel dismissive or even insulting. “My therapist was skinny. I thought, ‘You don’t get it. You’ve never been in this body.’”

But as her mental health spiraled, so did her willingness to try anything. “I didn’t take the meds at first. They sat at the pharmacy. But eventually I realized, what I was doing wasn’t working. I needed help.”

With a new pair of walking shoes and no expectations, she started circling her apartment complex.

Small Steps, Big Shifts

Those walks were inconsistent at first. Some days she went. Most days, she didn’t. But eventually, something shifted. “I moved, got a new job, and said: ‘This has to change. I can’t live like this.’” That’s when the weight loss journey truly began.

She started at 250 pounds.

Two years later, she’s down 40 pounds and more importantly, she’s mentally stronger, emotionally resilient, and spiritually lighter.

The Real Link Between Fitness and Mental Health

⦁ “The gym saved my life,” she says plainly. “It became my coping skill. When I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I move my body. My stress drops. My head clears.”

On weeks when she skips the gym, her anxiety skyrockets. Her irritability returns. She feels mentally heavy. “It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about managing my emotions, avoiding burnout, and not falling back into depression.”

Exercise, yoga, and even new challenges like barre classes have become her mental health toolkit. It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistent movement.

Giving Yourself Grace in the Process

⦁ “I used to beat myself up for skipping a day. Now, I tell myself: It’s okay. Go for a walk. Do something small.”

She now sees wellness as a spectrum. Some weeks are strong. Others are wobbly. But self-compassion keeps her from falling into the ‘all or nothing’ trap.

⦁ “Consistency isn’t doing the same thing daily. It’s about showing up for yourself, however you can.”

Why This Journey Matters for Clients, Too

As a therapist, her personal experience has transformed her professional approach. “I’m not preaching from a pedestal. I’m walking this with them.”

Her workplace now incorporates fitness into treatment. Clients participate in group workouts, yoga, and meditation. Many resist at first, but over time, they grow stronger, mentally and physically.

⦁ “They start glowing. They start smiling more. You can feel their transformation.”

From Self-Loathing to Self-Love

Looking back at old pictures, she remembers a time when she felt hopeless, heavy, and full of shame. “I didn’t love myself. At all. I was angry. Negative. And my energy attracted the wrong people.”

Now, she sees the difference in her face, in her energy, and in the people around her. “I attract better relationships because I’m in a better place mentally.”

Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are But Start

Her advice is raw and real:

1. Don’t wait for the perfect gym outfit. Just start moving.

2. You don’t need fancy equipment. A walk is enough.

3. You’re not too far gone to change.

4. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself for progress—not for plans.

5. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help, try therapy, or take medication.

⦁ “There were moments I thought my weight or mental health would kill me. But I fought back, one workout, one therapy session, one walk at a time.”

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or weight-related mental health issues, you’re not alone. Healing is possible. And it doesn’t start with perfection, it starts with willingness.