Hypnotherapy and weight loss
Written by: Shani Fowler
Most of us would improve on our bodies; have thinner thighs, be rid of our spare tyres, lose weight generally, especially this time of year. The over indulgence of Christmas and the New Year can leave us bursting out of our clothes. Very few of us would admit to being totally at one with our bodies and shockingly official statistics show 61.3% of adults and 30% of children in England are either overweight or obese.
The effects of being overweight
Losing weight is definitely a challenge. Sadly it is not as easy to shed the pounds as it is to pile them on. Being overweight can create low self-esteem, stress and depression. This in turn can then create a cycle of over-eating and then dieting once again, this term is often called yo-yo dieting. Not all the problems of being over-weight are based on how we feel, there are the health issues to consider too, such as type 2 diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and cancer to name just a few.
Many people can put their mind to losing weight and achieve success. They may join a gym, join a weight loss group, begin to eat more healthily. These are the more traditional methods of losing weight and success in achieving and retaining weight loss can vary from individual to individual. But there are other (alternative) methods of trying to lose weight and one of those methods is hypnotherapy.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an artificially induced altered state of consciousness. This state is said to enhance suggestibility and allow receptiveness to direction by steering the unconscious mind with powerful suggestion techniques. Hypnosis for weight loss aims to help you feel body confident, change negative thoughts about eating and hypnosis for weight loss is used to change how you actually feel about food. It is said to re-train your brain into accepting healthier food over some unhealthy favourite food, maybe replace that cream bun that is bound to stick to your thighs, for an apple that won’t. Over time you will learn change your habits and replace bad foods for the better ones. Hypnotherapy attempts to resolve and overcome the reasons weight loss may have previously been difficult.
Hypnotherapy techniques used for weight loss
Dependant on the reason you wish to lose weight differing techniques can be used. Including:
- Visualising the body you would want.
- Imagining how the “new you might feel”
- Imagining feeling more energised.
- Realising the route to a better body is exercise as well as healthy eating.
These are just some of the visualisations designed to empower you into reaching your goal.
Myths that stop us trying hypnosis
- I will be asleep – No you won’t be asleep, but you will be in a state of deep relaxation. How often does that happen? It’s worth a go for that alone.
- I will be out of control – Not at all! The relaxed state under hypnosis is a bit like when we daydream – we are not struck with a compulsion to run around naked shouting “I love cabbages” then are we? So nor will we under hypnosis.
- I will be told to do things I don’t want to do – You will be treated for the condition you are seeking treatment for and that alone. You won’t be told that every time you see a lollypop lady you must go and lick her lollypop stick. Those antics are for the stage shows!
- I will blurt out my inner-most thoughts and secrets – Nope – that won’t happen either. Hypnotherapy is not a sinister covert operation where the mission is to lead you to disclose your love affair leaving you open to blackmail and the destruction of your life as you know it! You will remain in control throughout your session.
Will it work for me?
Will it work? Well that is the $64,000.00 question isn’t it? It is difficult to say whether it will work until you actually try it. It won’t work in the same way for everyone but there is a good chance that it will work and you won’t know until you give it a go. Many GPs now consider alternative treatments to be effective and some might recommend it. Hypnotherapy is fast leaving its murky shadows behinds and emerging into different light with many people having positive experiences and outcomes. If traditional methods have failed repeatedly then there really is no harm in trying – all you have to lose is the money for the session but small price to pay if it works and you are happier and healthier.
Comments