Cause of obesity psychological?

[Guest guest]

I surely believe psychological issues are a large component,

especially the poor self-image part. THat is why I used Guided

Imagery so extensovely in my own Band journey, and why I developed

the Bandster Cussess Guided Imagery CD's for others.

Sandy

www.news10now.com

Experts say cause of obesity could be psychological

Updated: 11/21/2008 04:15 PM

By: Marcie Fraser

" I could see someone who was crying on the inside for help. She was

clearly mentally in a place where she was self loathing constantly, "

said Psychotherapist Meghan Lemery.

Lemery's client, Dawn Kineke weighed nearly 500 pounds two years ago.

" It is an addiction. It is a disease. I ate all the time, emotional

eater, " Kineke said.

Without drugs, drastic diets or surgery, Kineke lost almost 250

pounds. Exercising and eating sensibly helped, but it was her therapy

sessions that were key. She went from self hate to self love.

" Your thoughts can make you fat and when you wake up in the morning

and you are ashamed at what you see, you then set the tone for the

day where you constantly feel frustrated and angry about your body

image, " Lemery said.

First step to success, get a vision.

" Get a picture in your mind of what is a comfortable body for you.

The one you are able to feel most confident in then look for picture

that reminds you of that weight it is, " Lemery said.

" She helped me believe in myself and I was doubting myself too often,

like I couldn't do anything. I was such a failure and I am not. I am

not, " Kineke said.

Lemery says the underlying issue for many addictions is shame, which

can be caused by unresolved emotional trauma.

" You have to remember it is a long term emotional problem that now

has manifested in using food as the solution, " Lemery said. " You want

to go back to the beginning and deal with the emotions and deal with

the thoughts. "

Taking small steps toward feeling better begins with self love and

affirmations.

" Write down on a card encouraging things about yourself, what you

really like. If it is confidence you would like to feel, write that

down, I am a confident person and then in your mind during the day,

think about that confidence, " Lemery said.

Overweight people are often misjudged. They are seen as lazy and

having issues with self control. According to Lemery, it goes much

deeper.

" It's not about being obese or binge eater. It is about feeling

horrible about the person you see when you look in the mirror and

feeling that you don't deserve better, this is what you are destined

to. What people don't understand this is an emotional issue, not a

food issue, " Lemery said.

Kineke has proven it works.

" This is me. There is no going backwards, " Kineke said. " I love my

life! A lot of nice things have come out of my life because of this.

I am the happiest I have been ever, ever. "

2007 TWEAN News Channel of Syracuse, LLC, d/b/a News 10 Now.