Health Matters With Dr. David: High Self Esteem & Obesity

Being overweight can lead to low self-esteem but it shouldn't.

In this week's Health Matters segment Dr. David tells us feeling good about ourselves can lead to feeling healthier no matter what you weigh.

Tammy Bradley and her daughter Deidre are working out to change the shape of their future. In fact, the more trainer Phyl Hodges sees of them... the less she sees of them so to speak

But what makes Tammy so remarkable is that she already has a healthy attitude.

"My goal is not necessarily a number on a scale,"says Tammy, "My goal as far as getting fit is getting healthier."

The mother of two has something priceless... high self-esteem... despite being heavy her entire life.

"There's a difference in feeling good about myself and feeling great about my size. Those are two different things. I feel good about me," says Tammy.

"Most people who struggle with weight don't feel good about themselves, " says Dr. David " And frankly as a society we don't treat them much better. "

However, Tammy is a great example of why stereotyping is patently unfair.

"You do buy into that being a truth...," Tammy continues, "Just because you're overweight it means that either your lazy or you're unhealthy and that's not always the case... I've always been active."

And so had Deidre... until the last few years.

"My school is three stories and going up the three stories of the floors I would get so winded," says Deidre Bradley, "I would sweat, it was terrible."

"One day she looked at me and said mom I don't feel healthy... I don't feel good about myself. Oh my gosh... Now as a mom that was thing that said you have to do something," says Tammy.

Deidre is now feeling much better about herself... Getting healthier on the inside just like mom.

"I'm a very fulfilled and blessed person, " says Tammy " Size-wise... sure I would like to be smaller, but if I never lose another pound i'm going to be a happy person."