Weird!

Has anyone tried this?

my mother-in-law smoked nearly 2 packs a day for over 20 years and tried to stop without luck until she went to a hypnotist. She's been smoke free for almost a decade now and says she hasn't had one craving since!

I don't know of anyone who's tried it for weight loss but with her results for smoking, I'd be willing to give it a try if I wasn't already at my maintenance phase and not able to do it the 'traditional' way

I've also done it to quit smoking. I have to say that it helps take the anxiety away and the initial physical craving is kept under control by self-hypnosis, a basic technique of relaxation and self-motivation.

It's not a miracle, you have to want it, believe it. For real! It just helps you.

It's now been four months and I don't even think of smoking. No weight gain, no stress, no anxiety. Actually, feeling healthier and in control has boosted my self-esteem and motivated me to eat better.

I'd be willing to try it.  I've lost weight multiple times but every time I get down to where I can start to see the me I want to be I think I self-sabotage and gain weight to the point where I feel fat again.  I think there is someone down inside who feels more comfortable in a fat suit!

Hi,

I have tried this and so far it has been very benefical.

I had 3 sessions.

In the 1st one he asked me where I go wrong what are my triggers etc.It turned out to be a bit like a visit to a pyscologist to my surprice.

Then he hynotised me and worked on those issues.

My big one is portion control and not being able to leave food on the plate.

What surprised me was that he really got to a root cause I didnt even know about- basically that I was using food to fill time/a lonely feeling

It really boosted my confidence and made me see over eating in a different light. It is not light a diet cause I don't feel restricted at all, I just "don't feel" like eating anymore when full, or having a choccie bar just cause its in the fridge.I am not losing the weight as quickly as if I was on a diet I suppose but this feels 100% sustainable and I just feel all round more confident and better about things.I am DONE beating myself up.

I still have chocolate frim time to time and I feel good about it I just don;t eat them for the sake of it anymore and I am more aware when I do eat-find myself asking why am I eating choccie bar?cause I want it? then ok. Cause I don;t care about myself right now cause things are going bad?not ok, why do I feel bad can I take something positive out of the stupid thing I did, and now I can find a positive in all things.

The reason I tried it was becuase 2 of my friends did it too. One did it a few months ago and has lost weight. The other just before me. She has lost weight graudually but she just says she is delighted she did it so I guess she got the same confidence boost I did.

I know the success factor is not as good with weighloss as with smoking cause they obviously they can't tell you you no longer want food :) but so far so good for me.

Regards,

Claire

Original Post by: reginabc

I'd be willing to try it.  I've lost weight multiple times but every time I get down to where I can start to see the me I want to be I think I self-sabotage and gain weight to the point where I feel fat again.  I think there is someone down inside who feels more comfortable in a fat suit!

 

This was def my experience when dieting. It was like once I got to weight I wanted I thought I was suddenly a calorie burnign machine!!

Me and my husband both went through hypnosis at the same time, 28 years ago, and we still use the post hypnotic sugestion we used to quit smoking when we need to relax.  It still works to give us the control we need to focus.

I went through hypnosis for weight and it was working but part of my post hypnotic sugestion included taking a colored Tums and holding it in my mouth while thinking my sugestion.  Problem was, it nutrelized too much of my stomach acid and I started having stomach pains so I stopped taking the Tums and now I can't even remember the post sugestion.  Sure wish I could remember it.!

I tried it years ago and it didn't work at all - instead I GAINED weight! Instead of giving me more control, it seemed to weaken my ability to make right choices.

I actually had to take time to mentally "take back" the control I had handed over to the hypnosis process, and begin to exercise my ability to choose. So approach this treatment carefully!

i have used hypnosis to help me deal with the band/drum rehearsals across the street.   i was going to lose my mind.  hypnosis helped me be at ease with the drumming. 

but hypnosis is very specific. so while i was at ease with the drumming, i had a problem when he invited band mates over to plug in their guitars and keyboards.

but....   it did work for the drumming.

I did an online hypnosis for permanent weight loss course where we download a recording and listen to it every day.  The course leader would also send out affirmation recordings later in the course.  It really helped me stop self-sabotage and I have lost 17 pounds this year (all the weight I gained last year).  I am still 10 pounds from my goal weight, and I am considering retaking the course to gain focus and motivation as I feel I am on the verge of self sabotage again.  I definitely think this works and helps keep on track.

My mom and aunt quit smoking via hypnosis.  I tried it for my fear of numbers, math, etc and it has really helped (I had a heavy mathematical curriculum with my masters).  Hypnosis takes away the association you have with things like smoking, eating, etc.  But it doesn't do all the work for you...you still have to have a focused mindset not to get back to your old ways. 

I'm currently doing it, for me it works pretty well. I have a cassette tape from the 80's my mom used for weight loss and now I'm using it too. It's kinda fun.

Yes it does work. I went to a professional and started my hypnosis on April 23rd and have lost 27lbs. My goal weight loss was 56 lbs and I am half way there. A friend of mine lost 47 lbs with hypnosis and I thought I would try it. I have had absolutely no sodas since I have started and completely changed what I eat. My caloric intake is what I have cut down the most. I haven't been this small in years and can't wait until I hit my goal weight. I do go for follow-up sessions as needed but right now I am on track and continuing to lose each week. The mind is a wonderful thing and hypnosis has really helped me.

Original Post by: target140

Weird!

Has anyone tried this?

Not with a professional in a sit-down situation, but a few years ago my college had a stage hypnotist come and afterward he was selling CDs--weight loss, study harder, quit smoking, etc.  I got the weight loss & study skills ones, and they do seem to work, if I use them regularly.  The weight loss one helps me reduce my urge for unhealthy food.  The first time I used it (before bed), I noticed at lunch the next day that I had only gone to the salad bar (and got dressing on the side!), had water, and an apple, whereas my usual lunch was a philly cheesesteak with a side of hashbrowns or a big burrito or something.  I didn't even notice until one of my friends started teasing me for eating light.

The only thing I don't like about it is that I need my headphones to actually hear it, and at the end, you've got the option of drifting off to sleep, or rising, energized.  With my iPod, it's hard to sleep with headphones, especially because I usually forget to turn off the "shuffle" feature and get blasted with music then.  Grr.

Has anyone ever tried the hypnois CDs for weight loss? I've seen quite a bit of advertising for them, but am not sure I would want to order one.

Original Post by: holden77

Has anyone ever tried the hypnois CDs for weight loss? I've seen quite a bit of advertising for them, but am not sure I would want to order one.

I use Paul McKenna's, I Can Make You Thin.  Lost 30 pounds with it.

Hmmm. I've never given it much thought, but I would be willing to try it. Maybe it would help with the fact that no matter how much weight I lose I always see myself as overweight.

Which do you think is better? Going to an actual hypnotherapist or using CD's?

Original Post by: timpyturtle

Hmmm. I've never given it much thought, but I would be willing to try it. Maybe it would help with the fact that no matter how much weight I lose I always see myself as overweight.

Which do you think is better? Going to an actual hypnotherapist or using CD's?

This is a great question, timpyturtle.

There are many good quality hypnosis CD's available that address various aspects of weight loss; e.g., confidence building, managing cravings, body image, overcoming underlying fears, picturing oneself at one's natural weight, shifting one's identity from an overweight person to a thinner person, etc. As you explore the CD's available see what resonates for you according to your personal goals.

Using a CD is also less expensive, of course, than using a hypnotherapist unless you have health insurance. Many insurances do cover hypnosis when conducted by a licensed mental health practitioner.

Working with a hypnotherapist is a much more personalized approach. The hypnosis images and suggestions are tailored to one's personal concerns. In this way, working with a hypnotherapist may be more effective, at least initially.

Also, in working with a hypnotherapist you can learn to make your own audio recordings that are specifically tailored to your needs and underlying issues.

It's important to remember that hypnosis isn't about guaranteeing that you will lose a set number of pounds by a certain time frame. It is a wonderful and powerful tool to help you harness the power of your mind to assist you. The effectiveness of any weight loss program is enhanced by a stong, confident mind and by believing in yourself. Hypnosis helps you to develop and sustain this confidence and positive belief. This confidence and positive belief is crucial in helping you to lose weight, and most importantly, to make your weight loss results last.

I hope this helps.

Thank you all for your comments. I'm glad to see so many of you have already experienced some positive effects of hypnosis.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Warmly,
Diane

This is one thing that I take issue with.  I'm a Psych major and its been proven that hypnosis is not effective. It bothers me that people are willing to pay large sums of money to have this done. 

That being said I don't deny the fact that it totally helps people, I think though due to the findings of it not working, that its more of placebo effect than the actual hypnosis sessions.  Essentially that the person pursuing the treatment is so convinced that it's working that it actually does.  Hope that made sense..lol

Original Post by: yolacowgirl

This is one thing that I take issue with.  I'm a Psych major and its been proven that hypnosis is not effective. It bothers me that people are willing to pay large sums of money to have this done. 

That being said I don't deny the fact that it totally helps people, I think though due to the findings of it not working, that its more of placebo effect than the actual hypnosis sessions.  Essentially that the person pursuing the treatment is so convinced that it's working that it actually does.  Hope that made sense..lol

Dear yolacowgirl and others who may be curious about the effectiveness of hypnosis:

You raise a very good point because hypnosis does allow you to use the power of belief in a very deep and profound way.

One way hypnosis for weight loss is effective is because it helps people to "re-progam" inner negative beliefs that often sabotage weight loss progress. Our subconscious mind acts on our inner beliefs even when those beliefs seem opposite from what we want. Hypnosis helps us to use our amazing mind power to neutralize the beliefs that hold us back in life and to replace them with positive beliefs that will help us create the life we want.

Hypnosis itself isn't what helps people to lose weight; hypnosis is a tool that helps people get out of their own way and to create more positive beliefs of confidence and success. As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right either way".

For those interested in learning more about hypnosis here is the link for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) website as referenced above in my article. ASCH is the largest organization in the United States for medical and mental health practitioners using clinical hypnosis. There is a great deal of research showing the effectiveness of hypnosis used in a variety of clinical settings and this is a good organization for information.

Warmly,
Diane

Original Post by: diane_petrella

Original Post by: yolacowgirl

This is one thing that I take issue with.  I'm a Psych major and its been proven that hypnosis is not effective. It bothers me that people are willing to pay large sums of money to have this done. 

That being said I don't deny the fact that it totally helps people, I think though due to the findings of it not working, that its more of placebo effect than the actual hypnosis sessions.  Essentially that the person pursuing the treatment is so convinced that it's working that it actually does.  Hope that made sense..lol

Dear yolacowgirl and others who may be curious about the effectiveness of hypnosis:

You raise a very good point because hypnosis does allow you to use the power of belief in a very deep and profound way.

One way hypnosis for weight loss is effective is because it helps people to "re-progam" inner negative beliefs that often sabotage weight loss progress. Our subconscious mind acts on our inner beliefs even when those beliefs seem opposite from what we want. Hypnosis helps us to use our amazing mind power to neutralize the beliefs that hold us back in life and to replace them with positive beliefs that will help us create the life we want.

Hypnosis itself isn't what helps people to lose weight; hypnosis is a tool that helps people get out of their own way and to create more positive beliefs of confidence and success. As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right either way".

For those interested in learning more about hypnosis here is the link for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) website as referenced above in my article. ASCH is the largest organization in the United States for medical and mental health practitioners using clinical hypnosis. There is a great deal of research showing the effectiveness of hypnosis used in a variety of clinical settings and this is a good organization for information.

Warmly,
Diane

lol...I feel like I'm overquoting here..lol

Anyway, the way that everyone is talking about hypnosis sounds more to me like positive self talk, meditation, other therapeutic techniques more than what I would call hypnosis.  

Original Post by: yolacowgirl

Original Post by: diane_petrella

Original Post by: yolacowgirl

This is one thing that I take issue with.  I'm a Psych major and its been proven that hypnosis is not effective. It bothers me that people are willing to pay large sums of money to have this done. 

That being said I don't deny the fact that it totally helps people, I think though due to the findings of it not working, that its more of placebo effect than the actual hypnosis sessions.  Essentially that the person pursuing the treatment is so convinced that it's working that it actually does.  Hope that made sense..lol

Dear yolacowgirl and others who may be curious about the effectiveness of hypnosis:

You raise a very good point because hypnosis does allow you to use the power of belief in a very deep and profound way.

One way hypnosis for weight loss is effective is because it helps people to "re-progam" inner negative beliefs that often sabotage weight loss progress. Our subconscious mind acts on our inner beliefs even when those beliefs seem opposite from what we want. Hypnosis helps us to use our amazing mind power to neutralize the beliefs that hold us back in life and to replace them with positive beliefs that will help us create the life we want.

Hypnosis itself isn't what helps people to lose weight; hypnosis is a tool that helps people get out of their own way and to create more positive beliefs of confidence and success. As Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right either way".

For those interested in learning more about hypnosis here is the link for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) website as referenced above in my article. ASCH is the largest organization in the United States for medical and mental health practitioners using clinical hypnosis. There is a great deal of research showing the effectiveness of hypnosis used in a variety of clinical settings and this is a good organization for information.

Warmly,
Diane

lol...I feel like I'm overquoting here..lol

Anyway, the way that everyone is talking about hypnosis sounds more to me like positive self talk, meditation, other therapeutic techniques more than what I would call hypnosis.  

You're right, yolacowgirl - lots of overquoting!

You've raised some issues that come up quite a bit when I teach this information.  I'd like to offer a brief summary for those who may be curious about the various  mind/body techniques.  All are effective; some overlap and are used together.

Positive Self-Talk:
Deliberately and consciously choosing to use words and phrases that are positive and confidence building.  This is akin to a cognitive-behaviorial approach to weight loss.  A useful book to learn this for weight loss is The Beck Diet Solution.

Meditation:
Focusing your mind on a word, mantra, breathing, etc., to allow you to release your thoughts and quiet your mind.  This helps you develop your ability to access your intuition and also produces a relaxation response in your body but it is not, per se, a relaxation exercise.  You sit upright with your back straight and focus your mind on one focal point.  Many people use the word meditation to describe guided imagery exercises but it is not the same thing.

Imagery/Visualization:
Most effective when used in a relaxed state.  You focus your mind on images and pictures consistent with your goals and intentions.  This helps you create a new "mental blueprint".

Relaxation Training: 
Using techniques to relax your body and quiet your mind.  Includes breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (tightening and releasing the different muscles in the body), autogenic training (focusing on certain calming words), and guided imagery.

Hypnosis:
Similar to imagery/visualization but the training is much more comprehensive.  Advanced techniques are used to induce a very relaxed state, to deepen that relaxed state and uses a variety of methods designed to enhance therapeutic effects.  Also used in dentistry and other medical settings for pain control, symptom management and improved healing.

I know all these techniques can seem confusing, so I hope this helps!

Warmly,
Diane

Original Post by: yolacowgirl

This is one thing that I take issue with.  I'm a Psych major and its been proven that hypnosis is not effective. It bothers me that people are willing to pay large sums of money to have this done. 

That being said I don't deny the fact that it totally helps people, I think though due to the findings of it not working, that its more of placebo effect than the actual hypnosis sessions.  Essentially that the person pursuing the treatment is so convinced that it's working that it actually does.  Hope that made sense..lol

in response to yolacowgirl

i did not find that my hypnotherapist charged large sums of money and i only had to go once because she taped the session and sent it home with me on cd.

her charge was almost half of what a psychologist charges and i only saw her once. both types of therapy can be beneficial  (and i have sought the help of both) depending on what issues a person is trying to work out.

Im going to redo my wieght goal. Im going to keep my calorie intake at 1,922 intake and my new goal, by my birthday Jan 6th will be 157 pounds. I was that small in the Marine Corp 1990 to 1994

This is a great post! There are so many people that are skeptical about hypnotherapy because they simply don't know what it is and how effective it can be. Thank you for sharing this info and for the true/false section, I think that is some really important stuff. I know there are tons are hypnotherapists out there and you could go to any one of them for weight loss related sessions, but for a more cost effective solution, anyone interested in weight loss hypnosis should try IdealShape.

At IdealShape they use prerecorded Hypnotherapy Courses to work on the main issues that people have to face when attempting to lose weight, and the owner of the company is a hypnotherapist so he will sometimes do over the phone sessions as well!They also have a line of products like meal replacement shakes that have appetite suppressants and a supplement to help aid in weight loss.

Here is their website:

http://idealshape.com/

I am so glad to see this talked about and the links/referrals. I want to lose weight but have never had to be in control of my eating before taking anti-depressants and turning 50 (!) so just don't have good skills. I have no problem seeing a professional therapist because I'm a therapist myself and know it's just a matter of training myself-I need a coach! to get me started.

thanks everyone - even you doubting thomases!