Using hypnosis for weight loss in the form of tapes, seminars, and therapy have been one of the mainstays of the weight loss industry for decades. There is something alluring about the idea of being able to sit comfortably in a chair, relax, breathe deeply, and somehow let go of all the appetites, bad habits, insecurities, and other problems that contribute to our weight gain. Still, can it really be that easy? Over the years I have struggled with obesity, I tried many of these products. This is what I have learned.
How Does Hypnosis For Weight Loss Work?
The general idea behind weight loss through hypnosis is that you are guided into a highly relaxed state through controlled breathing, relaxation, and focus exercises, until you enter a trance-like state where your subconscious mind is open and available for suggestion. Once you are in this state, you are given a number of different commands, which are intended to remain in your subconscious mind after the hypnosis is over.
These commands may involve telling you that you are not hungry, that you enjoy exercise, that you can feel your metabolism speeding up and your body burning more calories, or any number of different things. What exactly is said varies with the individual hypnotist. Weight Loss hypnosis usually also involves some form of positive visualization, in which you picture yourself and your life as you continue your weight loss journey and reach your goal. When the session is concluded, you are brought back to an alert state and sent on your way.
Types of Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss
There are three basic forms. Each weight loss hypnosis program has its own individual strengths and weaknesses, which need to be addressed when making a decision.
- Self Hypnosis Weight Loss CD, Tape, or MP3 – By far the most common method of using hypnosis for weight loss is the weight loss tape or other audio recording. This is nothing more than a recording of a guided hypnotherapy session. You put on headphones, close your eyes, and follow the instructions, relaxing and visualizing as necessary. This is the most popular variety because it is the cheapest, seldom more than $30, and is the most readily available, as digital recordings are available instantly online.
- Hypnotherapy Seminar – When you think of a weight loss by hypnosis seminar, picture yourself listening to a CD in a room with a group of other people, only you or other members of the audience are periodically chosen by the hypnotist to take part in the proceedings in a very similar manner as you might find in a traditional hypnosis entertainment show.. A seminar such as this may involve anywhere from a dozen to a hundred people and cost anywhere from fifty to a few hundred dollars.
- One on One Guided Hypnosis – Finally, there is the one-on-one weight loss hypnotherapy session. This is the most expensive form of treatment, usually $100 or more per session. It is also considered to be the most effective of the three types because the one-on-one interaction allows the hypnotist to tailor the session to your own particular set of conditions and motivations.
Photo Credit: Tyler Burruss
Does Hypnosis Work for Weight Loss?
Quite a few studies regarding the clinical use of hypnosis have been performed over the years. While most of them show similar results, I’m going to focus on one particular study as an example. This study was performed in Oxford, UK, in 1998.
This study involved following 60 obese patients for a period of 18 months. The patients were split into 3 groups in order to study the efficacy of weight loss hypnosis. The first group received weight loss hypnotherapy, the second group received stress reduction hypnotherapy, and the third group, the control, received none. All three groups received nutrition and diet advice.
When the study concluded, the group that received stress reduction hypnotherapy lost the most weight, but not by much. The results were statistically significant, but not what I would call, “realistically significant.” In the end, the average difference between the weight loss between the groups was only a few pounds. It’s simply not worth the time or cost just to lose a few more pounds, and there are much more effective weight loss tips and techniques out there.
So, to sum up: does weight loss hypnosis work? Maybe a little, but not enough and not consistently enough to justify the expense. In other words, no.
Guided Visualization
One thing that weight loss self hypnosis products do that I like and agree can be helpful is that you are encouraged to visualize yourself and your life at the end of your weight loss journey. I recommend that you not only do this, but that you get as specific as possible when it comes to the details. What does your hair look like? What clothes are you wearing? What sort of activities are you taking part in?
When you take the time to imagine the end result of all your hard work, you can form an emotional attachment to that outcome. You want to be able to wear that outfit or you want to be able to go hiking or biking or play with your children without getting tired. You can then take that desire and use it to motivate yourself to push that much harder in your diet and workouts. When you have a clear picture of the goal and you want it bad enough, the work necessary to get there becomes less of a torture and more of a stepping stone.
Weight Loss Hypnosis Scams
All that being said, I can’t end this article without spending a few minutes talking about all the weight loss hypnotherapy scams out there. Here are a few points to consider:
- A few minutes spent browsing the weight loss self hypnosis section of Amazon reveals quite a few products that have been met with glowing reviews. After taking a few minutes to investigate some of the reviewers, I found that a large percentage of them never reviewed another product again or only reviewed similar hypnosis products, usually from the same manufacturer.
- It is simply not possible to “reprogram your brain,” using hypnosis. Scientists generally agree that hypnosis, while certainly a relaxed state, will not allow a hypnotist to make you do anything that you would not normally do, and it definitely will not do it instantly or in a single session, as many of these products claim. The few studies I have read that show a benefit to weight loss from hypnotherapy involved one-on-one sessions for many weeks before results were found.
- We have all heard the saying that is something is too good to be true, it probably is. Consider the miraculous claims that many of these products make, guaranteeing that you will lose weight, curb your appetite, burn more calories, etc., without having to make any effort at all. In all honesty, if even one of these products worked the way it was advertised, it would put an end to the rest of the weight loss industry. New products and even new weight loss hypnosis products are coming out all the time with no end in sight. Just food for thought.
- Again, most studies find, at best, that using hypnosis to lose weight is helpful at helping people lose a few pounds, not the dozens, if not hundreds of pounds that many of us strive for. Sadly, hard work and good nutrition are still the most effective ways of tackling obesity, and to be honest, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Final Thoughts
I wish I could tell you that you could easily reprogram your mind in order to love vegetables and running on the treadmill, but I’m sorry to say that that simply is not going to happen. No matter what promises you may hear about how many people have achieved weight loss with hypnosis or how prestigious a university the hypnotist has attended, there is simply no conclusive evidence that it works on its own. My own personal experience with four separate weight loss hypnosis tapes over the years backs this up.
Still, there is no reason for you to lose hope. Within each and every one of us is the strength and determination to meet our goals, no matter how distant or difficult. The one good thing I can say about the basis of using hypnosis for weight loss is that it emphasizes the power of guided imagination and positive thinking. In order to achieve your goal, you need to visualize the goal, map out the steps you need to take to get there, and then take them. You don’t need to be hypnotized to find this strength; you just have to make the decision to use it.
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