JMT HYPNOSIS
Weight Loss
Evidence from research has found that a majority of diets will fail over time. Indeed, a diet involving deprivation especially a food a person has formed a ‘pleasure association’ with, will after time return within a matter of weeks or months. This may then cause a viscious circle of yo-yo dieting which research has shown leads to an increase in weight.
There are a lot of cliches about people who gain most of which are untrue. What is known about weight gain is that we all form emotional relationships with our food. For instance some people may eat to feel comfort or compensate for love or loss. Others may eat more because they are always busy and as a consequence eat high calorie food which over time will lead to weight gain. Others may eat because they were rewarded with food as a means of being good. Or perhaps someone finds it easier to be larger because it avoids relationships and thus, the turmoil they bring. More sinister is that perhaps a signifcant person in your life - a parent, partner or friend is a 'feeder' and thus, your weight is in effect managed by someone else (Read my article on the office feeder in the blog section).
Research has suggested that there maybe emotional/psychological reasons for weight gain and that by concentrating on what someone eats may actually be more harmful. For instance food is often used as a reward and punishment by parents. If a child is good they may get chocolate and sweets. If they are bad they may not be given any food or food which isn't that particular nice tasting. Such experiences may lead to someone using food as a way of punishing themselves or rewarding, both of which may lead to weight gain.
Others may put on weight simply because they put others first. Children and the partner may have their needs seen to before yourself. Accordingly, you may actually end up not having enough time and developing habits of 'graze eating' or eating leftovers or eating high calorie food such as chocolate due to time constraints.
How can hypnosis help?
Freud was one of the first to document how the unconscious mind fuels many of our behaviours. For instance being over apologetic, feelings of guilt, taking responsibility for everything to being a 'people pleaser' may be emotions which are linked to eating. We then develop behaviour and mechismisms to cope which may fuel our eating behaviour.
Hypnosis can help 'unlock' the unconscious mind by bringing out the emotions that maybe driving your eating habits. Hypnosis can also help you 'unlearn' eating habits by using both direct and in-direct suggestions.
What will happen at the hypnosis sessions?
At the initial consultation I will undertake a comprehensive questionnaire and assessment of your eating habits and relationship with food. I will discuss your objectives of weight loss and assist you with a weight loss programme insofar as giving positive suggestions either direct or indirect whilst you are under hypnosis.
There are times when issues surrounding our relationship with food are so deep seated that the way to release them is to use hypnoanalysis. Hypnoanalysis or regression involves taking a person back in time to find the route course of the problem. Regression is not something to be concerned with save it is extremely powerful in releasing deep emotional behaviour which may have formed in childhood or early adulthood which has contributed to issues concerning your weight.
How many sessions will I need to have?
This very much depends on how long the weight has been an issue. If it a relatively new problem i.e. last 5 years then client’s have reported positive effects after the third session. I usually recommend at least 4 sessions, although this depends on the individual.
For long term issues with weight and a history of yo-yo dieting then I recommend at least 6 sessions although if there are strong emotional links to the past which require hypnoanalysis I usually advice clients that they may need between 6-12 sessions.
