Hypnosis and weight loss

Hi guys,

Just wondering if any of you have tried hypnosis to help with weight loss and what your experience was?

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    A friend of mine tried it for emotional eating, the practitioner seemed more interested in giving her generic weight loss advice (he was obese !) so that wasn't a success. There are audio books and the like with titles like "virtual gastric band" if you fancied trying a bit of self hypnosis.
  • kootarama
    kootarama Posts: 4 Member
    I have been listening to a weightloss hypnosis 30 day challenge tape every night for almost 3 weeks and have found it amazing. I'm not sure if it is the hypnosis working or my brain tricking me that it is but I have had a significant reduction in appetite and less interest in foods that usually appeal to me. So far have lost 2.4 kg just doing this alone. The weird thing is that after I listen for the first few minutes or so I always drift off to sleep (the tape is 30 minutes long) so not really sure exactly what he says but it seems to be working.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I know a couple people who did it, loved it, raved about it at the time. There's no loss to be seen now.... Both are same size as before or larger.
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  • libbydoodle11
    libbydoodle11 Posts: 1,351 Member
    My friend tried it back in the 90's. She said it worked for her. She said her hypnotist told her to imagine the grossest thing she could think of when she wanted to eat whatever she was trying to avoid. For her it was worms.
  • AnthonyThrashD
    AnthonyThrashD Posts: 306 Member
    no such thing as "hypnosis" anyone who pushes it as a cure for anything is a scam artist.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I have not done hypnosis for anything, but it seems to me hypnosis to lose weight borders on demonizing food. An example:
    ....She said her hypnotist told her to imagine the grossest thing she could think of when she wanted to eat whatever she was trying to avoid. For her it was worms.

    Why would you want to imagine certain foods that way? Why not just plan your food day and practice moderation? Why make any type of food good or bad?

    It takes some patience and willpower to put moderation into practice, and to stick to it, but it can be done.
  • Aine8046
    Aine8046 Posts: 2,122 Member
    no such thing as "hypnosis" anyone who pushes it as a cure for anything is a scam artist.
    I had some neurological issues which nobody could treat since my childhood. Was seen by numerous doctors, but no one could help. Finally I got treated by a hypnotist when I was 14 years old and she healed me in about ten sessions. She was a medical doctor and she definitely knew what she was doing....

  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    My friend tried it back in the 90's. She said it worked for her. She said her hypnotist told her to imagine the grossest thing she could think of when she wanted to eat whatever she was trying to avoid. For her it was worms.

    That's a great way to develop a messed up relationship with food.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    no such thing as "hypnosis" anyone who pushes it as a cure for anything is a scam artist.

    Yep

  • mxchana
    mxchana Posts: 666 Member
    There is plenty of clinical evidence to support hypnosis as a powerful and effective tool. Without it I would never have been able to quit smoking (over 18 years ago). So, thanks for the reminder to apply what I know works, to my current health improvement plan. I'm starting tonight. :D
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    mxchana wrote: »
    There is plenty of clinical evidence to support hypnosis as a powerful and effective tool. Without it I would never have been able to quit smoking (over 18 years ago). So, thanks for the reminder to apply what I know works, to my current health improvement plan. I'm starting tonight. :D

    But, there's a difference between changing your (you/your generally, not specific to any one person) mindset when it comes to your relationship with food and imagining foods you want to avoid have worms. If hypnosis helps you change your relationship and encourages moderation, then great. It's just not necessary to demonize food.
  • DiabolicalColossus
    DiabolicalColossus Posts: 219 Member
    Hypnosis is pseudoscience.

    Next thing people will be pushing is phrenology to lose that stubborn "skull chub".

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    If you believe it's working, then it is.

    I wouldn't pay a dime for it. I'd advise friends to believe in something cheaper! But whatever works for you. Good luck!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Hypnosis is a good tool for some people. Hypnosis can teach you to relax, to focus on goals, and so on. You still have to do the work.
  • missjazminenicole
    missjazminenicole Posts: 379 Member
    I have a few downloaded on my phone. Free apps and the like. It doesn't demonize food; at least not the good ones. It tells your subconscious to make better food choices and to use visualization to picture what your body will look like when you hit your goal weight. I think it's helpful if you use it a few times a week, It helps you to stay on track. It will not CURE anything but I think it makes it easy to stick to goal. Afterall, weight loss is a mental thing.
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I have a few downloaded on my phone. Free apps and the like. It doesn't demonize food; at least not the good ones. It tells your subconscious to make better food choices and to use visualization to picture what your body will look like when you hit your goal weight. I think it's helpful if you use it a few times a week, It helps you to stay on track. It will not CURE anything but I think it makes it easy to stick to goal. Afterall, weight loss is a mental thing.

    I have tried visualizing things happening in the future. I get anxious so it helps me relax to picture it going well. I think there is more to hypnosis than "hocus pocus". I have tried it for relaxation and it did make me very relaxed. There were some suggestions to be more at ease in crowds that didn't work as well. I didn't try it for weight loss.

    (just quoting you because you mentioned visualization)
  • Raclex
    Raclex Posts: 238
    RodaRose wrote: »
    Hypnosis is a good tool for some people. Hypnosis can teach you to relax, to focus on goals, and so on. You still have to do the work.

    ^This. Obviously, some will no believe in it and that's fine. It's their opinion and you're bound to get their opinion on a public forum.

  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    I have a few downloaded on my phone. Free apps and the like. It doesn't demonize food; at least not the good ones. It tells your subconscious to make better food choices and to use visualization to picture what your body will look like when you hit your goal weight. I think it's helpful if you use it a few times a week, It helps you to stay on track. It will not CURE anything but I think it makes it easy to stick to goal. Afterall, weight loss is a mental thing.

    That's not what I would call hypnosis. Sounds more like mindfulness and/or CBT.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    edited October 2014
    I know a couple people who did it, loved it, raved about it at the time. There's no loss to be seen now.... Both are same size as before or larger.
    ^^^^^^
    (*) THIS (*)
    I have a friend who tried hypnosis and is now even fatter than before and still making excuses. Just beware.
    No matter what, it's going to take work, discipline and sacrifice.
    Maybe hypnosis has helped some, but my experience is that those offering what looks like a short cut will lighten your wallet - not your waistline.
    I'd ask for verifiable references.

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    Hypnosis is pseudoscience.

    Next thing people will be pushing is phrenology to lose that stubborn "skull chub".

    What do you mean by pseudoscience?

    My husband gave up smoking with hypnotherapy 22 years ago. He smoked a packet a day, had tried umpteen times to give up without success, and then went to hypnotherapy and literally never had another cigarette again.

    You could say it is all mumbo jumbo - but proof is in the pudding. It worked.

    Of course that isn't saying it works for everybody and it isn't saying, re weight loss, that you then lose by magic, of course you still have to have a calorie deficit to lose.
    But for those people who are having difficulty changing their habits,it can be a useful tool.

    It wasn't for me, I lost weight fine without it - but I am not dismissing it as not having any use for anybody.
  • emmab852012
    emmab852012 Posts: 82 Member
    I paid a crap load of money to do this a few years ago, the only benefit I walked away with is that i drink more water. I don't think it works but do believe if you believe that it can work. I would not recommend paying for it though I am sure you can download stuff on line and it may help.
  • helenarriaza
    helenarriaza Posts: 517 Member
    I had needles glued on the inside of my ears to help with moderation.

    Did not work.

    Hipnosis is one of those things, at the end it comes from you. Check your relationship with food.

    If you wish to picture dog *kitten* when you eat, you are not going to enjoy food for the rest of your life, just for a few pounds? pshhhh...
  • amykuh
    amykuh Posts: 27 Member
    I attended a group weight-loss hypnosis class with my mom in Aug 2013. I experienced positive results right away (and at no time did I feel out of control during the session). I would say that it was a session of positive, guided imagery. It was a way of reinforcing behaviors and thoughts that were new to me.

    For instance, the very next day I cleaned out my fridge of all the food that I already knew shouldn't be there. Of course, this was something I had been meaning to get around to doing and just had put off and put off.

    Also. McDonald's. I specifically had the goal of never eating there again (it had been a problematic habit of mine) and so I mentioned it at the beginning of the session. Obviously, this was something I strongly wanted to have happen, and some could say it is simply my own will power that keeps me from going there now. But I would say that I had long held the intention of quitting and that after that session of hypnosis, the idea finally took root. Haven't been back since.

    My mom, sitting right next to me the entire time, says she experienced no positive results. I believe that it takes a willingness and a cooperation from the participant, and that it can really help, as it did for me.
  • suzynam
    suzynam Posts: 14 Member
    there is plenty of data to support the fact that hypnosis can be effective as a supplement to other diet/lifestyle changes.

    i am a very evidence-based decision maker and did try it last year. i found it very helpful, tho the woman i went to was very clinical and, imo, a very good therapist. we talked about the strategies she wanted to support me with in advance, these included drinking water before every meal, focusing on enjoying food without having to feel full, being more in touch with how i felt while eating so i wouldn't overeat and generally feeling good about myself and my food choices. it absolutely helped and i found myself drinking water whenever i was hungry and generally eating less. you do have to go for at least a few sessions and it's not magic, if you're not ready to accept the subconscious suggestions it won't work.

    and i can still vividly recall her saying, "you will enjoy each bite of the healthy, colorful, delicious food you have chosen to eat and it will take just a small portion for you to feel satisfied."
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    suzynam wrote: »
    there is plenty of data to support the fact that hypnosis can be effective as a supplement to other diet/lifestyle changes.

    i am a very evidence-based decision maker and did try it last year. i found it very helpful, tho the woman i went to was very clinical and, imo, a very good therapist. we talked about the strategies she wanted to support me with in advance, these included drinking water before every meal, focusing on enjoying food without having to feel full, being more in touch with how i felt while eating so i wouldn't overeat and generally feeling good about myself and my food choices. it absolutely helped and i found myself drinking water whenever i was hungry and generally eating less. you do have to go for at least a few sessions and it's not magic, if you're not ready to accept the subconscious suggestions it won't work.

    and i can still vividly recall her saying, "you will enjoy each bite of the healthy, colorful, delicious food you have chosen to eat and it will take just a small portion for you to feel satisfied."

    This also sounds like mindfulness/CBT. Maybe some therapists are spinning it and calling it "hypnosis" to try and appeal to a certain clientele? Hypnosis in the old, classic sense of the word is utter nonsense. "You are getting verrrrry sleeeeepy...when I snap my fingers you will wake up and act like a chicken."

    Really?

  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member

    This also sounds like mindfulness/CBT. Maybe some therapists are spinning it and calling it "hypnosis" to try and appeal to a certain clientele? Hypnosis in the old, classic sense of the word is utter nonsense. "You are getting verrrrry sleeeeepy...when I snap my fingers you will wake up and act like a chicken."

    Really?

    oh, yes that is true. when I saw the man that did hypnosis he said it isn't like that. It is just deep relaxation. I don't think that is what the OP meant by weight loss hypnosis. That is different than a sideshow

  • DiabolicalColossus
    DiabolicalColossus Posts: 219 Member
    What do I mean by pseudoscience?

    I mean what the word means: pseudo science.

    If you and your husband want to throw your money away at clinically approved Svengalis, please continue to do so. Gotta keep the economy going in our own little ways, I suppose.

    Why let someone else trick you or goad you into doing what you're supposed to and just take responsibility for yourselves instead?

    I mean, I know it's not interesting and fun to talk about at parties or anything...but it's real and can be achieved again and again.

    You could take up mindfulness meditation or something like it instead, or go through CBT and examine your feelings/issues towards food.

  • skinnyD2308
    skinnyD2308 Posts: 92 Member
    I got dupped into buying a hypnosis package about 15 years ago, didn't work at all for me. But because I thought it "should" work, I ended up even more frustrated because what was wrong with me. I've developed some better rational decision-making skills since then. I wasted a bunch of money that really could have been used differently.
  • SuninVirgo
    SuninVirgo Posts: 255 Member
    edited October 2014
    My friend tried it back in the 90's. She said it worked for her. She said her hypnotist told her to imagine the grossest thing she could think of when she wanted to eat whatever she was trying to avoid. For her it was worms.

    That's a great way to develop a messed up relationship with food.

    hmmmm, Perhaps you could re-evaluate your stance....you did have lap band surgery and are putting this down...tsk tsk tsk.