Just remember, your animal Hit Dice do count as levels when determining your final character level, as well as the +2/+3 LA. For instance, a natural lycanthrope with a 5HD animal form and one level of fighter would be an 9th-level character.
If it seems unfairly weak compared to most 9th-level characters, well, the rules for playing monsters were never particularly well-balanced.
Depending on your starting level (what is your starting level? 6?) you might be able to create a better-balanced "lycanthrope" through shapeshifting races and classes.