Hypnosis is a method you can use to put yourself in an altered state of consciousness so that you'll be more susceptible to receiving positive instructions. Self hypnosis has received mixed reviews about its veracity to help you lose weight, but according to MayoClinic.com, the practice can effectively aid a healthy diet and exercise plan to lose weight. It also can help you relieve anxiety and pain while you change your eating and workout habits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, self-hypnosis effectively reduced the amount of pain and tension in women who received painful breast biopsies.
Step 1
Make a firm commitment to lose weight. Want to lose weight for your own well-being, not because of outside pressure or to please other people.According to MayoClinic.com, the only way to successfully lose weight and keep it off is to be driven internally. Hypnosis tackles that inner mind state and helps to strengthen your resolve.
Step 2
Write out your commitment in positive present tense sentences. For example, instead of writing "I want to lose weight," write, "I am feeling better and getting thinner," or "I am eating healthy and exercising to achieve my ideal weight." Read your resolutions out loud to make sure they outline your goals.
Step 3
Sit up straight in a comfortable chair that allows you to rest your arms and set your feet flat on the floor. Sit in a quiet place where you know you will have about 30 minutes of uninterrupted peace. According to Self Hypnosis Therapy, if you practice self-hypnosis lying down, you may fall asleep.
Step 4
Take deep breaths to relax your body. Breathe in through your nose while you count to eight or 10 and breathe out through your mouth just as slowly. Purposefully relax each part of your body, starting with your toes and working up to your head. Tighten the muscles one at a time and release.
Step 5
Imagine that you are walking into an elevator on the 10th floor. See yourself walking gracefully into the elevator. Count each floor down to one while it descends. See the doors glide open and view a room of amazing colors and peaceful surroundings awaiting you as you disembark from the elevator.
Step 6
Tell yourself that everything you need to lose weight is in this room. All you need to do is to take it and make it your own. Mention your list of positive statements and repeat them over and over: "I have the discipline, I am healthy, I eat healthily, I exercise every day."
Step 7
Turn back to the imaginary elevator when you feel ready and energized from the experience. Walk back into the elevator press the up button, counting each floor as you ascend.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider using prepared hypnosis tapes or free downloads from online hypnosis sites that can guide you to the place of complete surrender to your positive reinforcement. Some programs just provide soothing background sounds to help you relax, while others may talk you through the relaxation process.
- It may be difficult to overcome old thinking patterns and convince yourself that you can control your thoughts, according to the Canadian Family Physician. To kick off your weight loss program, you may consider going to a professional hypnotist for a couple sessions. In addition to implanting positive weight loss suggestions, a trained hypnotist also can teach you how to continue the process at home.
Things You'll Need
- Comfortable chair
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