Many people become overweight when they begin to use food to satisfy an emotional need; to compensate for something they feel is missing in their lives. Some people overeat to compensate for an unpleasant experience. Others eat to reward themselves, or possibly for entertainment. Some want to be noticed, and many use a large body to offset a small ego. Food can be used to compensate for a lack of love, to offset fear, to overcome frustration, to deal with boredom, or sometimes even to avoid sex.
Often, the reasons they began overeating are anchored in their past; some emotional event that caused them to begin eating for security, self-preservation or protection. The memory of the event remains sealed in the subconscious mind, even if they have consciously forgotten it.
For these people, dieting alone will not be enough to lose the weight and keep it off. They often view the diet as a short-term program; and look forward to achieving their weight goal so they can return to eating "normally". Once they meet their goal, they reward themselves with the huge meals or heavy deserts that they have been craving; and the weight quickly returns.
Dieting never eliminates the subconscious need for excess food. It's just a form of self-torture they go through, until they eventually give in to their subconscious desires. They may go up and down the scale continuously, never letting go of the desire for excess food.
A hypnotherapy program will do more than just modify an individual's behaviour. It addresses all issues, which may be affecting their eating habits. The hypnotherapist will ask: "When do you overeat? Where do you overeat?" And most importantly, "Why?"
She will also help examine the client's self-esteem and self-confidence. Do these areas of self-image require strengthening?
The hypnosis session will help the client look back on their life, and locate the event (or events), which led to the current attitude toward food. This is the first step in eliminating the subconscious desire for excess food.
The second step will be to instil a new attitude toward eating, such as "I am satisfied with small amounts of healthy food". Hypnotic conditioning with cassette tapes are used to reinforce the new attitude. When used for 30 days, the attitude becomes a permanent part of the client's outlook on life. New eating habits are formed, that will last a lifetime. The weight easily stays off; and the roller coaster ride is over.
Jennifer is the CEO of Full Circle Hypnosis Inc. She is currently working towards her PhD in Clinical Hypnotherapy from American Pacific University in Hawaii, USA. She has been practicing hypnosis for over six years. She has a Certified Hypnosis School, Approved by the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA).
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