Overeating and how to end it?

I've just finished reading this book, "The End of Overeating" by Dr. David Kessler. It gave me a really good insight into why I (and many others) overeat and the way food makes us feel. It was a little hard going at first, lots of jargon to get your head around but it really does makes alot of sense. The food companies and fast food restaurants are in the business of making the consumer come back to their restaurant or eat their food again and again. They don't care if people are obese, they dont care if their food is full of rubbish and makes people ill, as long as they can sell their products and get repeat business. That's why their food mainly consists of sugar, fat and salt, the 3 most addictive properties that 'fast' food has. The book goes on to say that on a biological level our brains give off chemicals when we experience pleasure, whether it is from shopping, alcohol, exercising, food or something else, and as humans we crave that pleasure, those chemicals released into the brain that make us feel GOOD. The problem is, when you get those pleasurable and good feelings from food, you tend to go back for more and more. And THAT is exactly what the fast food industry wants! Instant gratification from eating fatty/sugary/salty food needs to change, and my first step in changing that is to find other things that give that sort of gratification, those good feelings, and that are alot healthier than eating fat/sat/sugar. Im currently thinking of what those things could be, maybe watching a comedy show on tv, reading a book, talking to a friend on the phone. Im going to work on a list that I can look at when I feel the crave of sugar or fat calling me. I'll share it when I get a few more. I really recommend reading this book though, it really makes you think about what you are putting into your body.

Obesity: Disease or Addiction?

Im watching Weight Loss Ward on itv1, recorded on 21st January. I've always agreed with people who say that bariatric surgery for the obese is in fact saving the NHS money because people lose weight and then don't end up with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and other complications of obesity. But I am now wondering if there is another cheaper way to treat obesity which would actually "cure" obesity and cost a lot less.

There is a lady on this tv programme who had a gastric band fitted and lost 17 stone! Later on the band slipped and she had to have it removed in emergency surgery, she then went on to put 10 stone back on, and is now having a gastric bypass operation. Doesn't this show you that yes she lost weight but she didnt learn anything about how to eat, her appetite or a healthy diet? Perhaps having trained and qualified councillors who are able to treat the underlying cause of overrating would be a better way to treat obese patients? Most people who overeat to excess have an underlying cause, an emotional reason for their "addiction" to food. If you were addicted to drugs or alcohol you would go to rehab, get councilling and hopefully find out why you abuse those substances. So where is the rehab for food addiction? Where are the people who look for the underlying reason we are abusing our bodies with food? I have a friend who works with addicts and helps them overcome their demons, I'm going to ask her if she thinks it would work for food addiction and obesity. I don't know what I could do to help others but I wish I could! Maybe if I can fix myself I can fix other people too. Watch this space!