The first step in losing weight is to understand why you want to do it. What are your goals? Once you know your motivation, you can begin to make changes in your diet and lifestyle. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you on your journey.
No matter what your reason for wanting to lose weight, remember that it takes time and effort. “Making small changes in your diet and lifestyle can lead to big results. And don’t be discouraged if you have setbacks along the way. Just keep moving forward and you’ll eventually reach your goals”, points out life coach Jeanine Sciacca.
If you’re looking to lose weight, hypnosis may be something you want to consider. This alternative therapy uses relaxation and suggestions to help you change your relationship with food and eating.
While there is no scientific evidence that hypnosis can directly cause weight loss, it can be a helpful tool to complement other weight loss efforts, such as diet and exercise.
What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention that can be induced by a trained professional, or sometimes through self-hypnosis. During hypnosis, the person’s attention is so focused that they are more open to suggestion.
While in a state of hypnosis, people are usually aware of what is going on around them and can still choose to respond or not respond to suggestions. There is some debate as to whether or not people are truly in a state of altered consciousness during hypnosis, but most researchers agree that there is a change in brain activity during the process. Brain waves during hypnosis tend to be slower and more focused than when a person is in a normal state of consciousness.
The exact mechanisms by which hypnosis works are still not fully understood, but it is thought that it alters the way information is processed in the brain. This change in brain activity may allow people to access memories and feelings that they would not be able to access in a normal state of consciousness. It may also help to break down barriers that prevent positive changes from taking place. In essence, hypnosis may help people to “rewire” their brains to think and behave in new ways.
While hypnosis is often associated with stage shows and popular culture, it can be a powerful tool for change when used in a therapeutic setting.
How Does Hypnosis Work For Weight Loss?
When you undergo hypnosis for weight loss, you will usually be in a deeply relaxed state much like when you are having a massage. This is sometimes called a trance-like state. In this state, your mind is more open to suggestions.
The therapist will make suggestions that are designed to help you change your attitude towards food and eating. For example, the therapist may suggest that you:
- View food as nourishment rather than comfort
- Eat only when you’re physically hungry
- Stop eating when you’re full
- Enjoy healthy foods
These suggestions can help to change your eating habits and lead to weight loss.
Photo by Mark Williams on Unsplash
Does Hypnosis Really Work For Weight Loss?
There is no scientific evidence that hypnosis can directly cause weight loss. However, there is some research to suggest that it may be a helpful tool to complement other weight loss efforts.
One study found that people who underwent hypnosis lost more weight than those who didn’t. The study participants were also more likely to keep the weight off in the long term.
Here is one treatment offered by Adelaide hypnotherapist Graeme Hoyle:
The Virtual Gastric Band
This is a cutting-edge weight reduction treatment developed by Hypnotherapist Sheila Granger in the United Kingdom.
This procedure is not a diet. We all understand that diets are only successful for a short time, and that any weight lost during the diet will return once the regimen is discontinued.
The Virtual Gastric Band System employs hypnosis to train the subconscious mind into believing that a band has been put around the top part of the stomach to create a little stomach pouch, thus reducing food consumption. And, because it’s not a diet, you won’t feel deprived or hungry, which are common problems with diets.
The program provides the advantages of weight loss surgery without having to undergo an invasive procedure or pay for a surgical operation. There are no lengthy hospital wait times, and no ongoing medical treatment is required.
It’s important to remember that hypnosis is not a substitute for medical care. If you have any health concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor before beginning any type of weight loss program.
