Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 9/9/2009

Question
I know this sounds weird but, I became obese because of a boy, I've always been a little fat.. He just dumped me for someone else. So I started spending all day inside and eating. I just had to, it made me feel complete and secure. Now I'm over it, and I have friends, but no boys like me. I don't even try to talk to new people, because I'm pretty sure they wouldn't like me. My mom doesn't understand me either. I tried going to gym, but everyone laughs at me.. I live in a small town.. I feel very down all the time, and I really want to be more sociable and make friends. Please help me

Answer
Hi Roxy,

I know what you mean. When you Boyfriend dumped you it may have triggered a depression in you that until that time may have been dormant.

Now it should be realized that being depressed and becoming fat, has a common biological factor, namely insulin resistance. In insulin resistance (also called hypoglycemia in the pe-diabetic stage) your body fails to metabolise sugar properly. Thus sugar is not used for what it should be used, namely conversion of nutrients in food into feel good neurotransmitters. Sugar is a source of biological energy, that is necessary in the production of feel good hormones and brain chemicals. Thus without biological energy we become depressed and the unused sugar accumulates in the body as fat cells. hence being fat and depressed occur together. Besides being depressed also causes you to have a low self-esteem, because you are bombarded with stress hormones. This cannot be controlled by your conscious mind. But there is hope! Most of the s problems can be overcome by going on a hypoglycemic diet. See:

What is Hypoglycemia at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

The Serotonin Connection at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

Eating Disorders at:
http://hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/eatingdisorders.html

Depression is a Nutritional Disorder at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/depression_disorder.html

Treatment of a Low Self-Esteem at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/psychotherapy/TOLSE.html

and discuss with a Nutritional Doctor, Clinical Nutritionist or a Nutritional Psychologist, if you want to. This can usually be treated by the adoption of a hypoglycemic diet. (see our web site).

And then study: Summary of Self-help Psycotherapy at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/self-help_personal_growth.html#PSYCHOTHE...

in its entirety from beginning to end. It includes a program showing you how to overcome a negative self-image, and assertiveness training program, communication course and values clarification course.
You may require the help of a CBT counsellor to successfully complete this program, but many people can help themselves by reading the articles.

Ask to be referred to a nutritional doctor, a clinical nutritionist or a nutritional psychologist for help, if self-help fails.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman