The Emotional Side of GLP-1 Weight Loss with Downtown Erie Counseling
Guest name: Gretchen Kahre
Business name: Downtown Erie Counseling
The weight loss is visible, but the emotional journey is often invisible.
In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Gretchen Kahre, MA, LPL, founder of Downtown Erie Counseling in Erie, Colorado. Gretchen is a Colorado native, longtime Erie resident, and seasoned mental health counselor with more than 35 years of experience supporting women through life's transitions. Her practice focuses on helping women 40 and older navigate challenges including perimenopause, menopause, caregiving for aging parents, and changing family relationships.
Together, we explore a side of GLP-1 medications that doesn't get talked about nearly enough: the mental and emotional impact. While much of the conversation around GLP-1 medications focuses on weight loss and physical health, Gretchen shares why many people experience unexpected emotional shifts as they navigate changes in their body, relationship with food, self-image, and overall identity.
We discuss the science behind GLP-1 medications, how they affect both the body and brain, and why many people describe experiencing less "food noise" while taking them. Gretchen also explains why these medications can bring up complex emotions around shame, judgment, body image, and societal expectations.
This conversation explores the often-overlooked emotional side of weight loss and offers a compassionate perspective for anyone considering a GLP-1 medication, currently taking one, or supporting a loved one who is.
In this episode, we cover:
What GLP-1 medications are and how they work
How GLP-1s affect both the digestive system and the brain
The concept of "food noise" and why it matters
Common emotional experiences before and during treatment
Shame, stigma, and misconceptions surrounding weight loss medications
The connection between weight, genetics, trauma, and life experiences
Why self-image doesn't always change as quickly as the body
How GLP-1 medications can impact relationships and family dynamics
The importance of working with your healthcare team throughout the process
When therapy can be helpful during a weight loss journeybullet
Gretchen also shares one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: "People can lose the weight, but their self-image may be slow to catch up."
If you've been curious about GLP-1 medications, wondering about the emotional side of weight loss, or looking for a more compassionate and informed perspective on this growing topic...
This episode is your reminder: wellness is about more than physical transformation. True health includes how we think, feel, connect, and care for ourselves throughout every season of life.