Often times when a client is requesting hypnosis for weight loss we need to work to assist them in gaining control with their “urges.” We will find out which urges they want to control and, we need to obtain a clear statement about what it is that they do want to do. For example: do clients want to be free of high blood pressure and high cholesterol or diabetes? Are these a concern? What is the medical situation? And, what is the desired outcome? Do clients want to maintain a specific diet? We will work to help a client to eat those healthy foods and, to recognize that they can enjoy those foods.
Another important question we ask is: what is a healthy weight loss goal for you?
For example: if a client wants to lose 18 pounds: The key is to take this in pieces. The first weight loss goal is 6 lbs down because we take it in thirds so, this is the initial goal. And, 1.5 to 2lbs per week is a normal sustainable weight loss goal.
With hypnotherapy for weight loss we focus mostly on what we want to happen and not on what we don’t want. So, our focus may be on what it is that you need to be eating right now.
If clients are so focused on staying away from foods, as opposed to being focused on what they need to be eating, this is an obstacle. In our mind, if all we focus on is do not eat “the ribeye” for example, all we see is the ribeye. When you focus on fruits, vegetables and lean meats then you are focusing on what you want instead of telling yourself “not!” The brain does not do well with “nots” rather, we need to focus on what we want and then get this focus into that communication within yourself. So, If we find that the focus now is on what a client shouldn’t eat, we need to change their focus to what they should eat and associate a positive to it in hypnosis.
Some important intake questions include:
*specifically in the last week, how much alcohol do you think you drank?
*What are you currently eating, specifically?
*We need to consider whether fear is motivating a client
*We might ask if this is mostly about a desire for a quality life? We may need to ask: do you want to live a healthy life, or do you want to live in a manner that continues to take away the quality of your life?
*We often need to remind a client:
WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON, AND YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO ACCEPT THE IDEAS THAT WE DECIDE TOGETHER, BEFORE WE START, THAT ARE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST, AND THAT YOU WANT- AND YOU NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE this focus-BECAUSE YOU WONT ACCEPT ANYTHING ELSE, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ALIGNED WITH THAT, SO, WE ARE ONLY GOING TO HELP YOU CHANGE YOURSELF, IN WAYS THAT YOU WANT TO CHANGE
*We check in on the quality of their sleep cycle and suggest a schedule of: same time to bed, same time to wake
*We can project a client into exercising again and feeling good about this
*With visualization: when they visualize and/or imagines themselves eating for example: the lean protein, the vegetables, the fruits, “a smile comes up and you’re feeling good and you are taking care of yourself well. This is a way to a healthy happy life that allows you to be in control.”
One of the powerful tools we utilize is: The Theory of the Mind:
This is a visual model of the mind that allows a client to see and understand where and how their conflicts exist and how to resolve these conflicts.
For example: we can show a client where they may have created a positive association with the unhealthy foods they no longer want- and we need to turn those associations down and attach some positives to these other healthy foods, so, in the same way they feel more drawn to this less healthy food, they now feel more drawn to food they know is better for them in their life .
We can show clients that they are trying to make these changes while only utilizing the 12% of their conscious mind and trying to fight an unconscious urge that exists in this subconscious area which is 88% of their mind, and motivating them to eat the food that really is not good for them now.
Clients begin to see and understand that they are thinking and rationalizing in this conscious area of their mind, when they have this programming going on in the subconscious mind that has been working against them. And because hypnosis is a learning state, we can understand that these associations were learned, and can therefore be unlearned and reprogrammed. We are going to work on re-training the programming so it is in alignment with what a client knows is in their best interest. With hypnotherapy, we are addressing the potential unconscious ideas, beliefs, and emotions that often limit the client from achieving optimal medical outcomes or well-being goals. By moving beyond the logic and reason of the conscious mind and reaching the subconscious, we can affect changes in behavior.
My role is to motivate patients to engage their mind, body and emotions on their journey to greater health. And I help them achieve this through focused discussion, therapeutic imagery and exercises in creating calm and relaxation. Acting as a guide, I support clients with engaging in their goals or treatment programs, for example. I help them with directing their locus of control back to self. My job is to help clients to tap into and maintain those positive qualities of patience, discipline, self -care and thoughtful attention to their health.
*Specific things that I can affect positively:
Replacing Food As an Emotional Coping Mechanism
Management of stress– manage and relieve the potential detrimental effects of anxiety
Focus on a positive outcome– by removing negative conditioning, fears and phobias
Dietary Compliance
Motivation to exercise
Limiting beliefs