Globally, 650 million people are considered obese and almost 2 billion people are overweight. Successful weight loss programs must enable their clients to not only lose the weight but maintain it for years to come. Fad and or restrictive diets often lead to yoyo dieting. They can certainly work in the short term, but they are difficult to maintain because of their restrictive nature. They also do not address the real reasons people overeat. There are often emotional reasons why people eat mindlessly. Unless they are addressed, a healthy weight is hard to maintain.
The reality of hypnosis
The word hypnosis conjures up thoughts and images of volunteers barking like dogs at a stage show. In fact, most people think that hypnosis involves a form of sleep or lack of awareness. This could not be further from the truth says Eli Bliliuos, the founder of the NYC hypnosis center. Hypnotic trance is in fact, a heightened state of awareness and relaxation. Patients are aware of their surroundings, including the sounds in the space and the temperature.
What is said or done to the client during hypnosis?
While in hypnotic trance, the inner mind is open to receiving directions for the desired change. Suggestions, which can be thought of as directions, to automatically eat healthy portions of healthy foods are given to the unconscious, inner mind. Cravings and any unhealthy emotional connections to food can also be eliminated. Any limiting beliefs related to food, like feeling the need to clear your plate even when you're full, can also be addressed.
What makes weight loss hypnotherapy an effective option?
The instructions given to the subconscious mind create an automatic response to make healthy choices. When food shopping or going out to eat, the patient will automatically choose healthy options, often without thinking about it. Hypnotherapy can also change how the client feels about exercise, creating a strong desire to work out. They will seek out exercise options that are appropriate for their fitness level and that they are likely to enjoy. The combination of healthy eating and exercise will promote natural and healthy weight reduction.
How does hypnosis address mindless emotional eating?
There is always a reason why a patient suffers from binge eating or mindless eating. Often without realizing it, clients overeat to distract themselves or reward themselves. When a patient is sad, lonely, anxious, or bored, food may be used as a tool to numb the pain. A workaholic may use food as a reward. These are learned strategies. In hypnotic trance, these unhealthy strategies are replaced with healthy alternatives that do not involve food. Hypnotherapy is also effective in treating anxiety and depression. If necessary, they can be addressed as part of a weight loss hypnosis program.
Can hypnosis help obese patients?
Hypnosis for weight loss is effective regardless of how overweight the client may be. This is because hypnosis addresses both the physical and emotional food cravings. A scientific study, found in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (N.I.H.), showed that hypnosis was effective in helping obese patients lose weight easily, inexpensively, and without any risk of side effects. It was particularly effective in helping obese subjects control their impulses to eat unhealthy portions of unhealthy food.
What does Hypnosis feel like?
A skilled hypnosis practitioner guides clients into hypnotic trance using a variety of techniques. They can include guided imagery, relaxation, misdirection, confusion, and various forms of deep breathing. Most patients report feeling rested and refreshed at the end of the session. Some subjects experience a heavy, almost weighted down feeling in the body. Others may notice numbness or tingling, eye fluttering, or a floating sensation.
What happens to the brain during hypnosis?
When a patient is guided into hypnosis their brain waves begin to slow down. During the course of a normal 24-hour period, we move from 1 brain wave state to another. These brain waves, or frequencies, are Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. The Beta state is the analytical, alert, and logical waking state. The Alpha state is commonly a relaxed state that happens when we start to daydream or meditate. The Theta state normally occurs during deep meditation, vivid daydreaming where a loss of time is common, and when we first awaken in the morning but are not quite up yet. Finally, the Delta State is one of dreamless and deep sleep. The Alpha and Theta states are both ideal for hypnotic trance.
Scientific data to support hypnosis for weight loss
3 scientific studies, found in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, show that hypnosis helps to promote and maintain weight loss. The first study demonstrated that only the hypnosis group continued to maintain or lose weight and exercise even 2 years later. The 2nd study showed that the subjects using hypnosis lost 17 pounds on average, as opposed to, only a 1/2 pound for the group that did not. In the 3rd study, the hypnotherapy subjects not only lost significantly more weight but continued to lose weight long after.
Hypnotherapy for weight reduction is a scientifically proven option to help those who want to shed excess weight. It is a cost-effective alternative to fad diets or bariatric surgery, that is free of side effects. By addressing both the emotional and physical components, clients can lose weight naturally. Hypnotherapy helps clients to relax and lose weight at the same time, a winning combination.
This article was written in cooperation with Vios