New Book "I'm Michael and I WAS Fat" Brings Hope to Those Battling Obesity

NEW YORK, NY, March 20, 2013 (Press-News.org) It's an all-too-familiar scene when diet plans, exercise vows and weight-loss resolutions fall through. You've heard it before: "I will lose weight - this time, I mean it!" And yet, time and time again these plans fail before they even start; or you lose weight only to regain it! Losing and then maintaining a healthy weight is difficult - but not impossible. Author Michael Pickert, M.D. shows how in his newly released book "I'm Michael and I WAS Fat," or at his website http://www.imlosingtowin.com/.

Dr. Pickert demonstrates how gastric banding can provide a safe, effective, long-term cure for chronic obesity. As a successful recipient of the process himself, Dr. Pickert reached his goal of losing 115 pounds in just nine months. This allows him to provide readers with a unique perspective as both patient and doctor. With his self-effacing style and entertaining sense of humor, Dr. Pickert guides readers through the necessary psychological steps of preparing for bariatric surgery and effectively losing weight.

"It started when one of my patients shared her own metamorphosis through gastric banding surgery," explains Dr. Pickert. "When she told me that 'food no longer controlled her,' I had my epiphany. I promised myself that when I lost weight—when, not if—I would pay it forward and share my story with others, so they could also be successful."

In his research Dr. Pickert interviewed hundreds of post-operative patients and discovered that about half hadn't reached their goals. Despite a large amount of published material covering bariatric surgery, Dr. Pickert was disappointed to find there was a remarkable absence of information covering the critical lifestyle and psychological changes necessary for individuals suffering from obesity to succeed after bariatric surgery.

"Why am I always so hungry? Why am I so overweight? What's wrong with me?" With over 33% of our adult population suffering from obesity and one in three children overweight in America, many of them ask themselves these questions frequently. Despite facing shortened life spans from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and sleep apnea, they remain powerless to do anything about it. They will spend billions of dollars on fad diets and supplements, but year after year, they will continue to lose the battle against obesity. Now is the time to address this national challenge and understand where obesity comes from. As someone that has suffered from obesity, Dr. Pickert relates to his readers and challenges them to understand themselves and recognize their obesity-triggering behaviors.

"You need a different frame of reference for food if you are going to conquer obesity." advises Dr. Pickert. "Like alcohol, gambling, or drugs, food can be an addiction. You become afraid of what will happen when you can't binge anymore. It's easy to think that if you break a lifelong bad habit, something even worse might happen as a result. But don't fear success. Embrace it."

"I am Michael and I WAS Fat" is available for purchase at http://www.imlosingtowin.com/purchase/. Buy now for $19.95 and receive free shipping!

"This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to change their life forever, with the last makeover they will ever need," Pickert stressed.

About The Author

Dr. Pickert is the author of "I'm Michael and I WAS Fat." Over the last year, he underwent a major transformation via bariatric surgery and painlessly lost 115 pounds. He found in his pre-operative research that there is a remarkable absence of psychological counseling specific to individuals with obesity problems contemplating surgery. After conducting research and speaking with hundreds of pre-operative and post-operative patients, he concluded that most were unaware of the critical lifestyle changes necessary for them to maintain their newfound weight-loss. Many doctors treat the effects of obesity without addressing the essential psychological causes of dietary failure. As a result, over half of bariatric patients fail; they are under-motivated or under-informed. "I'm Michael and I WAS Fat" is designed to change all that.
Currently, Dr. Pickert is a healthcare consultant for major life insurance companies. Prior to this he was a General Partner at Eileen Brenner & Co., a proprietary option trading firm and member of the American Stock Exchange from 1983 to 1997.

Dr. Pickert earned his Medical Degree from University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 1981 and a Bachelor Degree in Mathematics at University of Rochester, Magna Cum Laude in 1976. He completed his residency Training Program at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey from 1982-1983. Dr. Pickert's stories and essays have been featured in newspapers across the world and North America, offering advice on healthy living and weight-loss. He is also a frequent contributor to the Newark Star Ledger, New Jersey's most read newspaper.

Note to editors: For review copies of the book, or to schedule an interview; please contact: Rodolfo Martinez at rmartinez@gohrmc.com or call 305-573-0882.