Meet Dr. Catherine Harmon Toomey, a physician, hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and founder of TOTAL Weight Care Institute. (www.drtoomer.com) If you are looking to lose weight, she says, look way beyond just diet and exercise.
Summary of Episode
Her Health Transformation Journey
Dr. Toomer shares that she had been 100 lbs. overweight and an insulin-dependent diabetic, with congestive heart failure. She had started working with her husband, also a physician, to control her diabetes and lose weight. she discovered the bio psychosocial approach to treatment and started helping her patients reverse their chronic diseases through weight loss.
Weight-Shaming and Traditional Models
Dr. Toomer discusses the ongoing issue of weight-shaming and the limitations of traditional weight loss models. She emphasizes that weight loss is not solely about calorie intake and exercise, but also involves genetic and metabolic components. She laments that many physicians still assign health issues to weight, neglecting other complaints and contributing to weight-shaming.
Weight Management and Psychological Factors
Dr. Toomer talks about the complexities of weight management and the role of psychological factors in it. She emphasizes the importance of understanding a patient's medical history, dieting history, and mental health status, including depression, ADHD, and anxiety. She also shares her personal success story of losing weight using her own program that targets the root cause of weight gain, which varies from person to person. She also clarifies the concept of hypotherapy, explaining that it is a tool for deep relaxation that helps people break through mental barriers, rather than a method of mind control.
Holistic Approach to Weight Loss Discussed
Dr. Toomer favors a holistic approach that considers biology, psychology, and social structures. A primary care physician, she notes the need to rule out any biological issues and to screen for depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also addresses the influence of social media and advertising on weight perceptions and the importance of treating weight loss as a health issue, not just a cosmetic one.
Dr. Toomer hopes to normalize the importance of health through her work.
She preaches the importance of focusing on health rather than size or appearance. She also expresses hope that her legacy would inspire her daughters and granddaughters to prioritize health over aesthetics.
Find Dr. Toomer on her YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@drtoomer
FB: https://www.facebook.com/drtoomer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtoomertalks?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
