Weight loss is a journey that can take you to a place of better health and self-image. Depending on the amount of weight that you need to shed, this process may take weeks, months, or even a couple of years. The important point to remember is that healthy weight loss takes time if it is to become permanent.
If you want to lose weight successfully, approach the process methodically. This means developing a sound plan of action and asking positive people to be part of your support team to cheer you on. Now is the time to surround yourself with individuals who believe in you and are willing to contribute to a winning environment for you.
Creating a winning environment includes:
- Choosing a healthy diet that meets your nutrition and medical requirements while including as many of your favorite flavors as possible
- Purging your house of edibles that are not on your chosen food plan
- Meeting friends at locations that do not have many “bad” food temptations, such as a tea house, the dog park, or museums
- Focusing on family activities that involve movement rather than eating, such as riding bicycles, going for a walk, and visiting a park to take photos or to feed the ducks
- Avoiding negative people who like to destroy other people’s dreams and throw up roadblocks to your success
- Filling your time with interesting activities that you find fulfilling like pursuing a hobby or volunteering in your community.
It is equally important to be sure that you are not subconsciously sabotaging your efforts. Hypnotism is a great way to align your conscious and subconscious mind to keep you moving towards success in your weight loss efforts.
Scientific studies have shown that hypnotism is an effective adjunct to behavioral weight management. One study compared the success rate of subjects in a weight management program that included hypnotism against subjects in a similar program that did not include hypnotism. The subjects in the treatment plan that included hypnotism showed significant additional weight loss. In a 2-year follow-up, more of the subjects who had received hypnotism achieved and maintained their goal weight. [1]
A meta analysis of the scientific literature on this topic revealed that the inclusion of hypnotism with cognitive behavioral treatments for weight loss showed a substantial increase of the benefits of hypnotism over time. The average weight loss in the group that received hypnotism was 97% higher than the average weight loss without hypnotism at the initial assessment, and 147% higher at the last assessment, compared to the subjects who did not receive hypnotism. [2]
A study of 100 women who participated in a hypnotism-based program achieved significant weight loss and decrease in Body Mass Index. [3] Another study of 172 overweight adult women resulted in the hypnotism subjects achieving significant weight loss. [4]
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis reported that weight loss through hypnotism is most effective when taking a multi-pronged approach that covers the amounts and types of foods eaten, increasing self-acceptance, mental imagery, and self-hypnosis among other aspects. [5]
The Soothe Hypnosis adjunctive weight management approach addresses all of the aspects of weight loss and maintenance, including :
- Self-acceptance and self-love
- Love and forgiveness of others
- Positive body image
- Healing, health and wellbeing
- Stress reduction
- Delighting in physical activity
- Enjoying nutritious whole foods
- Setting and achieving goals
- Client-defined success and prosperity
- Living life to the fullest
For my clients who are under the care of a physician or mental health professional for their weight loss, I maintain communication with their health provider to align our hypnotism sessions to best augment their physical or mental health treatments.
For more information on hypnotism visit http://www.soothehypnosis.com.
[1] DN. Bolocofsky, D. Spinler, and L. Coulthard-Morris, Effective Hypnosis as an adjunct to Behavioral Weight Management, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3973038 (accessed December 2017)
[2] I. Kirsch, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Hypnotic Enhancement of Cognitive-Behavioral Weight Loss Treatments – another Meta-reanalysis US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/8698945 (accessed 2017)
[3] DL Johnson, Weight Loss for Women: Studies of Smokers and Non-smokers Using Hypnosis and Mulit-component Treatments with and without Overt Aversion, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/9198396 (accessed December 2017)
[4] DL Johnson, RT Karkut, Participation in Multicomponent Hypnosis Treatment Programs for Women’s Weight Loss with and without Overt Aversion, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nigh.gov/pubmed/8909095 (accessed December 2017)
[5] HE Stanton, PhD, Weight Loss through Hypnosis, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Volume 18, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00029157.1975.10403768 (accessed December 2017)
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