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Health & Fitness

"Close Your Eyes and ...Wake Up Thin!?"

This is a short explanation of how & why hypnosis works, as explained by a psychologist (NOT ME) and a chirpractor who uses hypnosis to help people reduce their weight.

Wouldn't it be nice if YOU COULD CLOSE YOUR EYES AND wake up with the willpower to lose weight?

            According to many medical professionals, through hypnosis, you can.   Of course, your body does not really get lighter overnight, but the changes in your behavior that will make your body smaller do start right after your first session.

            Scott D. Lewis, a licensed chiropractor and clinical hypnotherapist, says it works.  Lewis has been a long-time advocate of the treatment since he was hypnotized to overcome cravings for potato chips, ice cream and Dr. Pepper. He lost 41 pounds.  That was 25 years ago, and since then, he's kept the weight off.

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            In just minutes, you can change the way you feel about certain foods and decrease your cravings and attractions to them.

            Psychologist Dr Jeffrey Gardere also speaks favorably of hypnosis treatment when it comes to aiding in weight loss.  He says medical hypnosis "can increase motivation or alter thought patterns with … positive eating behavior and long-term dietary patterns."

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So what exactly is hypnosis?

            The use of hypnosis in medicine and healing has been around for over 200 years.  Hypnosis is simply a natural state of focus and concentration - similar to what you experience when you watch an interesting movie, read a book or as you daydream.

            While you are in a state of deep relaxation, you are offered positive suggestions that impact your behaviors.  When you are in a hypnotic state, your attention is much more focused and you then have a heightened ability to take suggestions.   It's listening--- and visualization.

Who can be hypnotized?

            Almost everybody can experience and use hypnosis for clinical benefits.     According to Dr Gardere, hypnotism is safe and your chances of success are "directly correlated to your ability to cooperate with the hypnotist and allow yourself to be hypnotized."

Is it safe?

            Lewis says, "People are afraid of it because of what they see in movies, TV and comedy shows.  But you are always in control of your mind and have an awareness of what's going on. (For example) if a fire alarm goes off while you're hypnotized, you'll be conscious of it and be able to react.”   Dr Gardere agrees.

What medical conditions can hypnosis help with?

            Hypnosis has been documented to be effective in treating a large number of conditions. In addition to removing food cravings and choose smaller portions in order to reduce weight, I have assisted people achieve success in all the following areas:

  • Anxiety
  • Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Tension and migraine headaches
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Eczema
  • Distress from medical procedures
  • Pre-surgical anxiety
  • Post-surgical healing
  • Asthma
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Become a non-smoker
  • Improve memory
  • Overcome negative thinking patterns
  • Enjoy sex more fully, and
  • Feel more confident.

How does hypnosis work for weight loss?

            "The first way is through motivation," Lewis says. "Experts state that the most important factor for changing any unwanted behavior, such as overeating, is having a strong personal reason for doing so."

            You already know consciously what your benefits will be, when you reduce your size & weight.   Lock your goal in the forefront of your mind.

            Then, in hypnosis, your subconscious mind chooses to accept specific suggestions that affect eating behavior.  For example, I usually suggest:

  • “You eat less, and you enjoy it more!”
  • “You begin to notice that only the first slice of pizza tastes great.  After that, it is just OK, and you choose to stop eating.” 
  • “You do not do anything that will be harmful to you.”
  • “You take good care of yourself, in every way.”

And it works?

            According to Dr Gardere, studies show that hypnosis, along with behavior modification, can be very effective in weight loss.   One recent study published by the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that people who receive nutritional education along with specific food aversion hypnosis were five (5) times more likely to lose weight than those who don't receive hypnosis.

           Hypnosis done correctly helps people stay on diet plans and to be motivated to do what they know they want to do, without that annoying doubting voice inside their heads. 

            But if medical hypnosis is so successful, why aren't more people utilizing it as a treatment option?  That is the BIG QUESTION for YOU to answer!                                           ### 

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