Using Hypnosis and NLP for Weight Loss
Weight Loss Hypnosis: Does It Work?
When it comes to losing weight, hypnosis has been proven very effective. This is not just a statement, but is backed by extensive medical research. Hypnosis as well as Neuro Linguistic Programming techniques are legitimate ways to clinically modify eating behaviors. This is a far cry from the typical image people get when thinking about hypnosis with a person doing a ridiculous act.
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, or ASCH for short, is a U.S. organization that utilizes clinical hypnosis and has for years and is among the most respected in their field. They have conducted research that shows weight loss among patients undergoing hypnosis aimed at weight loss still had a continual success rate even after two years versus the group that did not undergo hypnosis showing no further results.
There have also been other studies indicating that those who were subject to hypnosis lost a significantly larger amount of weight than the people who did not undergo hypnosis outperforming them at an average of 17 pounds versus .5 pounds.
A meta-analysis published in The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that people who used hypnosis in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy lost far more weight than those who received cognitive-behavioral therapy alone. (Kirsch, 1996)
Studies of Hypnosis, NLP and Hypnosis for weight loss
Hypnosis is not just helpful in spurring weight loss, however; it may be crucial in keeping the weight off. A study conducted at the Brandon University in Canada indicates that this is true. The Brandon University researchers monitored three groups: one set of women received group hypnosis sessions; a second set received group hypnosis sessions plus training in self-hypnosis; and the control group underwent no hypnosis at all. At the end of the study, the control group had no sustained weight loss, while the women in the groups who received hypnotherapy averaged a weight loss of 17 pounds. (Cochrane, Friesen, 1986)
Similarly, the scientific journal Eating and Weight Disorders 2004 concluded after a landmark 5 year study that clinically obese people who combined hypnosis and other relaxation techniques with proper nutrition and exercise were much more likely to keep the weight off permanently. (Golay, Buclin, Ybarra, Toti, Pichard, Picco, de Tonnac, Allaz, 2004)
Adding guided imagery to your weight control program also makes a significant difference in weight loss. According to a study conducted by the Director of Behavioral Medicine at Canyon Ranch, guided imagery in combination with behavior modification, nutritional guidance and exercise can actually double weight loss. (Rossman, undated)
Guided imagery has also been used successfully to deal with more acute weight-related problems like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. In a combined effort, researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital, the University of Toronto, Toronto Hospital and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto performed a randomized controlled trial on the subject and came to the conclusion that guided imagery reduced vomiting by 73% and binge eating by 74% in bulimic patients. (Esplen, Garfinkel, Olmsted, Gallop, Kennedy, 1998) If hypnosis and guided imagery can have such an effect on patients with very serious problems, the implications for ordinary overweight people are astounding. It makes one wonder about the politics of diet drugs when such a safe, natural, low-cost and effective therapy is so readily available.
NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, is also very effective in addressing weight problems and maintaining weight control. NLP is a method for behavior modification that was developed at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the 1970"s in a joint effort between psychologists and linguists. NLP "reprograms" behavior by training the mind through the use of repeated positive phrases. Although fewer people may be familiar with this process than with hypnosis or guided imagery, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy recognized NLP as a legitimate form of psychotherapy at the beginning of the decade. (McDonald, 2001)
NLP"s founders explain that it works by overcoming the learnt limitations of negative thoughts and speech and replacing the negative with the positive. (Bandler, Andreas, 1985) Traditional cognitive behavioral therapy for weight loss focuses on the negative; don"t overeat, don"t eat certain foods, etc. Is it any wonder that the mind experiences these thoughts as deprivation and rebels? Psychotherapist Lewis Walker explains that using negative commands for weight control is putting the cart before the horse. First you must "program" the brain to believe that you"re healthy, strong and fit, and then the weight loss will come, perpetuating a cycle of success rather than failure. (Walker, Louis: Changing With NLP: A Casebook of Neuro-linguistic Programming in Medical Practice, 2004)
With tools such as MP3’s or CD’s from Ndependence Hypnosis you will experience 3 things when you undergo self hypnosis. The first of these is the encouragement to use your imagination. This is a very important aspect, especially regarding the use of Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques. For example, hypnosis patients are often asked to describe what they feel or what they see something as. When speaking of weight loss, the program might ask you how you feel about food or even what the food looks like. This is a first step to taking control of the situation and dialing in your thoughts to be able to mold it how you want it.
A very effective way hypnosis is used in weight loss is by utilizing suggestive ideas. The suggestive ideas are instilled in the person’s thoughts which will ultimately re-program the way they think and feel about food on a subconscious level which in turn makes them act on their decisions they physically make in a positive way. When a person does not choose to pick up foods that are not good for them or stop eating when they are full or even not to eat when they experience emotions, they will lose weight because they are no longer infecting themselves with the behavior.
Some people have a deep seated issue with food and why they eat. Hypnosis helps delve into the subconscious and bring out the root of the problem so it can be fixed. Eating might be a way a person chooses to deal with a traumatic experience in their life. If this is the case, the traumatic experience needs to be fixed before weight loss will occur.
We all have different motives and reasons why we do things. This is why hypnosis is very important. We need to understand why we do things and that we can take control of our actions. The CD’s and MP3’s Ndependence Hypnosis has created are truly a stepping stone and solution for those that are looking to attempt self hypnosis and self help approaches to their weight situation rather than resorting to pills, diets and other forms to only put a band-aid on the situation or to only fail after a short period of time.
Weight loss comes down to making a choice on what you eat, how often you eat and what exercises you do. Your subconscious is the factor that directly affects what choices you make and ultimately how successful you are at weight loss. Tapping into your unconscious and changing the way you think to something positive and conducive to losing weight will show the results you are looking for.
Resources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/hypnosis.html
