The holiday celebrations are over and a brand new year is upon us. It’s a time of reflection, a season of new beginnings and renewal. Many of us toasted in the new year with resolutions to improve our health, reduce stress, eat better and lose weight. We may have had the best of intentions to finally make those healthy changes but somehow life got in the way. Slowly the resolve and motivation simply dissolves and fades away as the days march on. Unfortunately, this is all too common. Anyone who has made a personal decision to change negative habits and behavior to improve their life and health knows how challenging it can be to begin and then continue making positive and beneficial changes in today’s stressful world.

Self-Sabotage and Emotional Eating

Although we may be unhappy with our image in the mirror or the numbers on the scale, it may still feel difficult or even impossible to find the willpower needed to eat healthier and lose weight. Many people feel completely out of control as cravings, emotional eating, too-large portion sizes and unhealthy behaviors often get the better of us. We vow to really begin that diet tomorrow or on Monday but we often give in to temptation and then simply give up on ourselves when we fall short. The sabotaging behavior continues day after day and week after week despite knowing exactly what needs to be done to be in control and really lose the weight.

There is good news for those who have experienced this and are ready to make the positive changes to lose weight and gain control of their eating habits. Hypnosis is a natural, relaxing, easy solution to finally lose weight and it doesn’t involve surgery, deprivation or dieting.

The Power of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is widely recognized by researchers and those in the medical field as a safe, natural and enjoyable state of deep physical and emotional relaxation. Hospitals and doctors use hypnosis to speed surgical recovery, reduce pain, and heal fractures and burns faster. Doctors recommend hypnosis for everything from stress reduction to insomnia and even childbirth. It may be best known as an effective tool to create motivation and behavior modification for smoking cessation and weight loss.

Many of us have developed unhealthy relationships with food in our lives. We eat when we’re sad, angry, lonely, stressed and even happy. Over time, we may have developed the habit of overeating and using food to satisfy an emotional hunger that we may often confuse with appetite. This learned habit can gain strength and power over the years to become an automatic response the subconscious uses to comfort us in times of stress. Consciously, we may try over and over again to stop the sabotaging behavior and blame ourselves for our lack of ability and willpower. However, it’s the subconscious mind that is in charge of that unwanted, unmotivated behavior. Trying to change that behavior consciously often creates more stress and more failure.

Studies have shown that the subconscious mind manages over 90 percent of our behaviors. The subconscious mind is very much like a computer and, unfortunately, it may be running old or unwanted programs. Simply using willpower and motivation is often just not enough. Therefore, if we want to change a habit or modify a behavior, it can naturally be changed and improved by using hypnosis.

Hypnosis is not actually “sleep” but rather a natural, calm and tranquil state of conscious awareness. It’s a feeling very similar to that of being alone on a quiet beach and relaxing deeply while listening to the gentle sounds of the ocean waves lapping against the shore. During hypnosis, the natural endorphin and serotonin levels of the body are increased. As this occurs, the conscious part of the mind—which is critical and analytical—is temporarily suspended or bypassed. While in this relaxed state, the subconscious mind can easily accept the beneficial suggestions for change.

Change Our Thoughts and Change Our Behavior

Traditional therapeutic hypnosis has been used as a successful tool for stress and anxiety reduction, behavioral changes and weight loss for years. However, a new technique, the Virtual Gastric Band Hypnosis weight loss program, was recently developed in Europe. This specialized concept gives the subconscious mind suggestions that the stomach is much smaller, as if a gastric band were surgically installed. The suggestions encourage smaller portion sizes to prevent overeating. Both hypnosis techniques work well to help implement behavioral changes.

Hypnosis, whether traditional or virtual gastric band, can be a solution for those in search of a natural, healthy method to lose their potentially unhealthy, excess weight. Hypnosis can help people make better food choices and lose weight without the high cost, risks and side effects of invasive surgery.

Diane Bahr-Groth, CH, TFT-Adv, director of Mind-Body Transformation Hypnosis Center, in Stamford, has more than 24 years of experience in mind-body therapy. She is a registered consulting hypnotist and is trained and certified in multiple hypnosis modalities. Connect at 203-595-0110 or
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