Using Hypnosis to Lose Weight - How Effective is It?

It’s becoming more and more common nowadays to turn to hypnosis when we want to achieve a goal. We may want to quit smoking, rid ourselves of phobias or lose weight – in all these cases hypnosis offers a proven and successful solution. So why does hypnosis work?

If you look at hypnosis for weight loss then the reasons behind the success of this method becomes clear. If you suffer from weight problems – whether you yo-yo diet or can’t seem to find the motivation to get on a diet that suits you – then you probably already know that your problem isn’t really your weight at the end of the day. The problem is more likely to rest with you.

In the majority of cases people cannot lose weight effectively because of some psychological issue that prevents them from achieving their goal. You may, for example, naturally crave unhealthy foods rather than healthy ones. Eating unhealthy foods here may make you happier and more comfortable. Or, you may eat the wrong foods or the wrong amount of food whenever you are stressed, unhappy or uncomfortable. In either case hypnosis can help.

Hypnosis helps here because it goes straight to the root of the problem – your unhealthy eating patterns – and helps modify your behavior. So, after this kind of treatment your mind won’t tell you to eat sugary or fatty foods – it will tell you to eat healthy ones. And, your mind won’t tell you to reach for a snack when you’re worried or stressed but instead will give you an alternative ways to manage stress. This behavior modification is the key to successful weight loss – and keeping it off.

How do I know hypnosis works?

Hypnosis is a scientifically accredited method of helping people overcome all kinds of difficulties. For example, in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Vol.64, No.3) in 1996 a study showed that the average weight loss without hypnosis was 6.03 pounds. With hypnosis average weight loss came in at 14.88 pounds. So, with hypnosis you can double your weight loss with no extra effort.

And, because hypnosis modifies your behavior at source then you stand a far greater chance of keeping the weight off rather than putting it on again. A study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (41) in 1985 tested a group of people who used hypnosis to lose weight and a group who did not. Whilst both groups lost weight during the study the hypnosis group continued to lose weight after the study had finished and achieved their weight loss goals. The group that did not have the behavior modification benefits of hypnosis did not achieve this.