Weight Loss Hypnosis
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM
Weight loss trends in American have reached a level of epidemic proportions. Recent estimates suggest that two out of three Americans are currently overweight or obese. The effects that weight gain is having on the average American’s health, self-confidence, and personal relationships, has left many people scrambling for a solution.
Weight loss Hypnosis has emerged as a possible alternative to diet and exercise. This method is appealing to those trying to avoid the yo-yo effect of weight loss plans that are too difficult to stick with. But is hypnosis really a weight loss solution?
Here’s the low-down on weight loss hypnosis, and what it can and can’t do for you.
What is Weight Loss Hypnosis?
Weight loss hypnosis is a procedure during which the mind enters a state of altered consciousness. The hypnotic state is most often described as a normal state of focused attention, in which the subject feels very calm and relaxed. As a medical procedure, weight loss hypnosis can be performed by a trained health care professional or researcher.
The hypnotic state of mind is generally reached through an induction procedure. Although there are many different types of hypnotic inductions, most include suggestions for relaxation, calmness, and well being. Your health care professional may instruct you to imagine or focus on a very pleasant or relaxing experience. Different people will respond to hypnosis in different ways, but most people find the experience to be a pleasant one.
How Does Weight Loss Hypnosis Feel?
Hypnosis is often portrayed in movies and on TV as a state where one completely loses control of their behavior and is at the mercy of the hypnotist. But in reality, this is rarely the case. Everyone responds to hypnosis differently, depending upon their ability to relax, and any fear or concerns they may have about the procedure.
Some people will be very responsive to hypnotic suggestions, while others will not. Most people remain aware of who and where they are, and they will usually remember what occurred during the hypnosis procedure. The benefit of weight loss hypnosis is that it makes it easier for people to follow suggestions, without forcing them to do so.
How Is Weight Loss Hypnosis Used?
During the hypnotic state, the health care professional can use the patient's altered state of consciousness to suggest changes in the subject's sensations, perceptions, thoughts or behavior. This is how weight loss hypnosis works as a weight loss aid.
Weight loss hypnosis can be used to help a patient understand the reasons they are overweight. And with the help of a trained weight loss hypnotist the individual may be able to "reprogram" the subconscious to reverse the behavior that has led to the weight problem. Some weight loss hypnotists may accomplish this by strengthening the patient's will power, suggesting that fatty and unhealthy foods aren't necessary. Others hypnotists may connect a negative response with the patient's bad habit. For example, if overeating is linked with nausea, the subject will actually begin to feel sick if they eat too much.
Considerable research has been performed on the effectiveness of weight loss hypnosis as a weight loss tool. Some researchers suggest that weight loss hypnosis can help obese people alter their eating patterns to achieve a healthier relationship with food. However, most health care professionals also readily agree that hypnosis cannot magically reprogram people's minds.
Weight Loss Hypnosis as Part of an Integrated Weight Loss Plan
While hypnosis may not be a magic cure for weight loss, it may be an effective weight loss tool when it is used as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan. Research suggests that weight loss hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program contributes significantly to weight loss. Weight loss hypnosis helps subjects increase their attention to programs that will aid in losing weight. One of the main difficulties with diet and exercise programs is that participants lose interest before the program has a chance to take effect.
Hypnosis can help to bridge the gap between the short-term reinforcement of a weight loss program and the long-term goal of weight reduction. Weight loss hypnosis can help participants create positive associations about eating healthy and losing weight. This in turn can help subjects incorporate the rules of a particular weight loss regimen into their behavioral patterns. Hypnosis should be considered helpful for weight loss only when it is used in combination with an appropriate dietary and exercise program.
What else is Weight Loss Hypnosis Used For?
Hypnosis has been used in a variety of behavioral and medical applications. It’s currently used in the treatment of pain, depression, anxiety, stress, habit disorders, and many other psychological and medical problems associated with being overweight.
The Bottom Line: Losing weight is hard. Anyone that tells you otherwise is likely selling something. Hypnosis may help to make the process a little easier, but it is not a magic cure for being overweight and obesity. Always talk to your health care provider before starting any new diet, exercise program or weight loss hypnosis.
Only you and your health care professional can decide whether or not hypnosis is right for you, I do however think the product Slimirex™ can be a valuable addition to any balanced weight loss program. For more information, please visit www.slimirex.com.
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives. For more information, please visit the Web’s best resource on weight loss.
