[throwaway2037]

    > when I started taking Mounjaro, my general self-control increased. This is quite a common reported side effect.

Wow, this is fascinating. I write that without sarcasm; I really mean it. I put this in the same (unproven) category as when middle-aged men start to do weight lifting (nothing too crazy), it "magically" cures many mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. (The number of anecdotes I have heard with this pattern boggles my mind.)

Do you think part of your improved self-control is just feeling better about yourself? Allow me to extrapolate a bit here: If you are depressed, it is "easy" to throw away self-control and eat, eat, eat. Might the reverse also be true? If you are less depressed, it is easier to harness your self-control and eat less? It seems very plausible to me, but nearly impossible to prove the mechanism, except to observe it with a careful study.

Further, I am curious to hear more about the positive effects on your life after your self-control increased. Example: Are you doing better in relationships, or better at work... or the sun shines brighter in your life now... or what? These kinds of HN posts with high quality, first hand anecdata are some of my favourites.

[anon291]

I am not the commenter above. However, depression and lack of discipline/self-control form a negative feedback loop. Lack of discipline causes you to be depressed, which causes you to have less discipline. A lot of practices that seemed 'strict' to us that cultures would practice in the past are socially evolved ways to re-instill discipline via social shame. For example, the fasting days in the liturgical calendar. While you may have become undisciplined personally, when there's a fasting day that comes around every week, or an especially important one that comes by every year, you might decide to make a change.

For me personally, as a Catholic, I was able to kick my bad dietary habits during Lent. I wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise. The social pressure of having to abide by my rules helped me very much, and this was possible because my parents were 'strict' about Lent with us.

Ignoring the spiritual aspect completely, I think these practices are insanely useful which is why every culture has them. But we've thrown them out the window for some reason.

[phil21]

Very late reply, but as someone who lost a lot of weight on Mounjaro and has so far (2 years after the fact or so) kept it off via lifestyle changes this is how I see it as well.

When you are constantly trying something and failing at it, you get into negative feedback loops. At least I do. Why even try? Then you get into depressive behavior and other such toxic lifestyle issues that effect far more than your physical health and appearance.

Tirzepatide was simply a tool that let me engage in self control and better behavior towards food while I learned what will and will not work for me long term. Call it a crutch, cheating, whatever - I don't care. All those are absolutely true in some sense. It gave me space to dial in consistency and habits when it came to eating and exercise.

After not stepping foot in a gym my entire life I now make zero excuses and show up 3 days a week rain, shine, depression, anxiety, lack of time time, whatever. Zero excuses. Same goes for eating and diet. I know where my weaknesses lie now, and simply don't put myself in a position to fail very often.

This in turn let me realize (well, remember!) that yeah, I can accomplish incredibly hard things if I put my mind to it. I knew this logically as I'm an extremely accomplished person (in my own mind at least!) - but now it's felt at a more emotional and subjective level. I used this feedback loop and am applying it to other areas of my life. It's all about consistency and good habits for me.

There isn't any rocket science or magic behind it. It's just a positive feedback loop replacing a negative one, and that pushing outwards to other areas of my life. It's still incredibly hard work, same with losing weight was even with the chemical help.

It's also why upthread I said that morbid obesity is a strong correlation to lack of self control. There are many reasons for not having self control, and I honestly think humans really don't have it in the sense most like to think about it. I don't see it as a moral issue as most do, so I can offend folks by saying so without meaning it that way. It's just habits and consistency and putting yourself in the right environment. Very difficult to do when surrounded by the negative forces modern society tosses you in by default, and it's zero surprise to me or indication of a moral failing when so many simply go with the default option. I sure did! It's also very easy to focus on one area of your life at the exclusion of the rest - starting and running a successful company gives you a million excuses to not worry about your health or weight, but it's still toxic to you in the end regardless of other successes in life.

[throwaway2037]

This is a great reply. Thank you to share your first hand account.

    > Tirzepatide was simply a tool that let me engage in self control and better behavior towards food while I learned what will and will not work for me long term.

For others, I needed to Google "Tirzepatide". The trade name is Mounjaro (or Zepbound).

    > Call it a crutch, cheating, whatever - I don't care.

No need for that. You have my full support. Whatever works for you is good.