Brainwashing, Willpower, Hypnosis and Weight Loss?

After smoking cessation, weight loss is one of the primary reasons a person will seek out the services of a professional hypnotist.

Now more than ever people are seeking effective ways of releasing excess weight and with good reason. Public health statistics indicate that overweight and obesity may soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable death and illness in our society.

Now you may be wondering how brainwashing, willpower and hypnosis fit into this situation as the title of this article suggests?

Although the definition of hypnosis varies on who you talk to, I usually go with something along the lines of it being, "a process that utilizes a naturally altered state of consciousness in order to bring about helpful changes in a person's habits and perceptions at a subconscious level of mind."

Using the example of smoking cessation, the shift in perception from cigarettes being a "true friend" that enables a person to manage stress to the more reality-based position that they actually make stress worse will enable a person to let go of that habit much more easily.

(For the record: nicotine raises your heart rate and blood pressure while constricting your blood vessels, that is not relaxation!)

A smoker is literally brainwashed into believing the habit has value. However over time the person begins to experience inner turmoil as they realize the nicotine demon is causing significant harm yet has fear that his or her life will be unmanageable without it.

Many attempts at quitting are based on conscious willpower and these are often short-lived and unpleasant. That's because if the person continues to believe that smoking has some sort of value then not smoking feels like deprivation or a struggle. It doesn't take much to drift back into old patterns in that scenario.

Yet do you "struggle" not to suck on the exhaust pipe of your car? Of course you don't because you perceive any value in doing so. Once you realize smoking never helps and only harms, the fear of not smoking will be replaced with the happy realization that you are free and don't have to smoke anymore.

Now swinging back to weight loss, a huge obstacle is the perception that healthy eating and getting regular activity are too difficult and will make your life less enjoyable. But is this true? What kind of cultural brainwashing may be at work here?

Ask yourself, is carrying around the extra weight making your life easier? Are you happier because you can't wear the clothes you would like to wear? Do the unwanted pounds bring about a feeling of joy in the joints of your knees, hips and back when you try to climb a flight of stairs? I think you get the idea.

Imagine perceiving that eating healthier and getting more regular activity were in fact a gift you give yourself that provides wonderful benefits such as improved appearance, higher energy levels and enhanced self-confidence. Would it take a tremendous amount of willpower to stick with those healthier behaviors if you saw them in that light?

If you would like to learn more, I am here to help. The telephone number here is (732) 714-7040 or fill out the Life Enhancement Strategy Session form and I will get back to you ASAP.