Veggie Blog

Hypnosis weight loss: what it can and cannot do

Controlling your weight and avoiding weight gain as you get older are important ways to prevent a number of weight-related health problems.

Indeed, if you are well above a healthy weight, you are at higher risk of a range of potentially serious conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, endometrial cancer, obstructive sleep apnea and breast cancer.

What’s more, many people who are overweight tend to avoid exercise, and that avoidance only adds to the price paid for the extra pounds.

If you have a sedentary lifestyle and are overweight, you are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. And if you already have a medical condition such as high cholesterol, being overweight puts you at higher risk of complications.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve your health significantly. Losing 5 to 10% of your body weight can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels.

Where hypnosis fits in

Today there are many methods that can help people lose weight. One of them is hypnosis.

However, there are many misconceptions about hypnosis for weight loss. Because it does not involve drugs, medication or surgery, many people think that losing weight through hypnosis must be one of the safest and easiest weight loss programs.

To understand more about hypnosis and what it can do for your weight, here are some facts that will give you an idea of what to expect.

1. Hypnosis is generally safe, but it should be done properly and by someone trained in it.

Even if many people understand that hypnosis does not pose a direct danger to their health, it is still important to know that the person doing it is properly qualified and knows what to consider beforehand. Hypnosis may not be suitable for people with some mental health conditions, so check with your doctor first if this applies to you.

2. Hypnosis alone cannot remove excess fat from the body or make someone lose weight.

Most health experts agree that hypnosis should only be one part of a complete weight loss program. It should never be used as the only method.

Moreover, one session of hypnosis will have little effect on a person’s weight. Studies suggest that hypnosis combined with other methods, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and diet advice, gives a modest extra benefit compared with those methods alone. This is because hypnosis is simply a deeply relaxed and focused state of mind, in which you are still in control of your own body.

How hypnosis works

3. Hypnosis is a way of reaching the subconscious mind. In a hypnotic state, the mind is more responsive to suggestion because of its focused concentration.

However, this does not mean that hypnosis can simply reprogram a person’s mind.

In reality, hypnosis ranges from simple self-hypnosis to sessions led by a professional hypnotherapist. It should not be seen as paranormal or magical in its effects.

In short, people should be aware that hypnosis is not a weight loss treatment on its own. It is more of a support for other methods.

Therefore, it should be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise to help people lose excess weight. Used this way, it may help some people stick to their plan with a more relaxed and positive state of mind.

As they say, a healthy mind lives in a healthy body.

View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

Pointers on losing weight safely

People who want to lose weight usually start by cutting down on the amount of food they eat. This can work, but it is not the best approach. Depending on how much you cut, it can even be dangerous to your health. So how do you lose weight effectively and safely? Here are some points to consider:

Beware of crash diets

Many people think that cutting calories sharply is the quickest way to shed unwanted fat, probably because of all the advertising for low-calorie foods and drinks. What people do not realize is that eating far fewer calories than your body needs is risky. Very low calorie intake can lead to fatigue, dizziness and nutrient shortages, and it may weaken the immune system. Your body may also slow down the way it uses energy.

Crash diets also cost you muscle, not only fat. People who go back to their old eating habits afterwards often gain back some or all of the weight they lost, and the regained weight is mostly fat. Since fat takes up more space than muscle of the same weight, they can end up weighing the same as before but looking bulkier. When losing weight, you should aim to lose excess body fat only and keep your muscle.

A better way is to eat regular meals of sensible size. Some people find that smaller meals at more frequent intervals help them feel full, which is fine, but the total amount and quality of food matter more than how often you eat.

Eat properly

Once you have given up crash dieting, you should still pay attention to what you eat. Variety is important, so that you get the nutrients you need. It is healthier to eat food that is baked, steamed or grilled rather than fried. It is also important to include plenty of fiber in the diet, and to drink enough water.

Build up your muscle mass

Muscle burns calories when it works, and a little even at rest. Muscle tissue uses more energy at rest than fat tissue does, although the difference is modest. Unlike fat, which just sits around the waist and hangs under the arms, muscle is active tissue. With this in mind, you can support weight loss by building muscle: the more muscle you have, the less room there is for fat. You can build muscle with resistance exercises.

Add aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise improves your heart and lung fitness and burns calories, which helps to reduce excess body fat, while resistance training is what mainly builds muscle. Regular aerobic activity also keeps your body using energy efficiently over the long term, so the benefit lasts if you keep doing it.

Be careful with an extra “push”

Some people believe that spicy food and caffeine help with weight loss. Any effect is small, and too much caffeine can cause jitters, poor sleep and a racing heart, so they may do more harm than good. Food supplements sold for weight loss are not a safe shortcut either. Most have little or no proof that they work, and some are unsafe, so talk to your doctor before trying one.

On taking diet pills

Over-the-counter diet pills may affect how much weight you lose and how well you keep it off, but the effect is usually small and they can have side effects. You must follow the instructions on the package exactly. It is also wise to consult your doctor before trying them, to find out which type, if any, is best for you.

Losing weight does not have to mean terrible suffering. It is about starting a fuller, healthier life, where you do not feel bad about how you look or about what you cannot do. It may take a few adjustments and some discomfort, but the aim is a healthier life, not punishment. Besides fat, what have you got to lose?