Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Is it Really Effective?
It’s no secret that more Americans than ever are struggling with weight gain. In fact, over 40 percent of people in the U.S. are obese—a startling number that continues to creep up. If you’ve been attempting to lose weight, you’ve probably tried many things: fad diets, workout programs, pills, cleanses, just to name a few. One thing you probably haven’t tried, however, is hypnosis for weight loss. Today, we’re going to discuss hypnosis and answer the burning question: is hypnosis really effective for weight loss?
What is hypnosis?
First things first, let’s define what hypnosis is (and what it isn’t). People often think that hypnosis is purely a form of entertainment involving mind control. In reality, clinical hypnosis is nothing like the form of entertainment depicted in the media. Instead, it focuses on helping you change your lifestyle for the better.
What happens during a hypnosis session?
A clinical hypnotherapist guides you into a relaxed state, known as a trance, using a number of techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization. In this relaxed state, your thoughts slow down and you become more focused and open to suggestions. Once in a trance, the hypnotherapist guides you through a series of exercises and makes suggestions to help you get in tune with your goal—in this case, weight loss.
How does hypnosis help with weight loss?
It’s important to understand that hypnosis isn’t a magic bullet for weight loss. You won’t start shedding pounds at the snap of a finger. Rather, hypnosis helps you develop healthier thought patterns and routines that will lead to weight loss over time.
Eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise are still the foundations of weight loss. The thing is, people often have a hard time adopting healthy routines and sticking to them. That’s where hypnosis comes in. Hypnosis for weight loss helps you tap into your subconscious mind which largely influences your behaviors, habits, and motivations. In other words, hypnosis is a tool that can help break patterns of thinking that are preventing you from developing healthier habits.
Is hypnosis really effective for weight loss?
Now for the question you’ve all been waiting for: can hypnosis help with weight loss? To answer that question, let’s take a look at the research regarding hypnosis for weight loss. There are several very encouraging studies and reviews pointing to the efficacy of hypnosis for weight loss.
Research on the efficacy of hypnosis for weight loss
- A meta-analysis from the 90s found that people who used hypnosis lost more than twice as much weight as those who didn’t.
- A 2009 study found that hypnosis was among the only three evidence-based complementary treatments for obesity.
- A 2014 study that worked with 60 obese women found that those who received hypnosis lost weight and improved their eating habits and body image.
- One 2015 review in the International Journal of Obesity found that hypnotherapy leads to more weight loss than either cognitive behavioral therapy or dietary advice alone.
- A 2017 study found that eight obese adults and three children all lost weight with the help of hypnosis.
Conclusion: Hypnosis for weight loss is effective
While the above studies demonstrate more modest weight loss up to 20 pounds, one woman’s story published in RedBook Mag in 2015 shows that you might be able to lose much more. Dee Chan, a 52-year-old woman, lost an incredible 280 pounds with the help of hypnosis. She claims that hypnosis helped her to realize that she was in control of her lifestyle and was the only person who could make a difference.
Carla Chalah, owner of Hemisphere Hypnotherapy and EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts specializes in using hypnosis to promote weight loss in her clients. Her private practice, Hemisphere Hypnotherapy won the 2018 Readers Choice Award for best weight loss center. In 2020 she also won the Best of the Best Metrowest first place award for best weight loss center, even beating Weight Watchers! Carla describes her personal weight loss journey as having gained a significant amount of weight after having kids back to back (almost 100lb). Enough was enough and she decided to use what she does best – hypnosis! She has lost 25lb in less than 2 months using self-hypnosis and she describes it as almost effortless!
Hemisphere Hypnotherapy – Best of the Best Metrowest First Place Winner of Best Weight Loss Center
While more large-scale studies are needed, the research regarding hypnosis for weight loss looks promising and is something to consider adding to your weight loss plan.
Who should try hypnosis for weight loss?
Hypnosis is safe for people of all ages who are struggling to lose weight or looking for some extra support. In particular, emotional and unconscious eaters are great candidates for hypnosis. These people know that they’re overeating, but just don’t seem to have the willpower to control their eating habits.
Hypnosis can help people develop self-control by learning to look at food in a different way. Many people who have trouble with overeating see food as a reward or something that soothes their anxiety. Through hypnosis, a person can change that association, learning to view food as purely a source of fuel and nutrients.
How long does it take to lose weight?
Carla Chalah, hypnotherapist and integrative life coach at Hemisphere Hypnotherapy and owner of EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center aims to help clients achieve the greatest amount of change in the shortest amount of time. This, however, doesn’t mean that you’ll notice changes immediately. Changing your thought patterns and developing new healthy habits that lead to weight loss takes some time. The time it takes will be different for everyone. Most people will start to notice changes in their thinking patterns after a session or two, but generally, around six sessions are needed to encourage repetition.
Carla Chalah – Award Winning Hypnotherapist and Integrative Life Coach.
Owner of Hemisphere Hypnotherapy and EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center in Sudbury, MA.
What are the benefits of hypnosis for weight loss?
Unlike diet pills, surgery, extreme diets, or excessive exercise, hypnosis is a safe, gentle, and non-invasive tool for facilitating change. The key is to ensure you’re working with a certified hypnotherapist, like Carla Chalah at Hemisphere Hypnotherapy. Additionally, since there are no side effects or interactions, you can easily use hypnosis alongside other therapies or activities.
Hypnosis can also be used to treat co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnosis can help get to the root causes of your weight struggles and “rewire” your brain for success and happiness.
Jumpstart your weight loss journey
If you’re ready to create sustainable change and lose that extra weight once and for all, contact Hemisphere Hypnotherapy in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Carla Chalah works in-person, as well as remotely, with clients all over the world. Through hypnosis, she can help you “rewrite” underlying thought patterns that are sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Don’t hesitate to reach out today to be one step closer to becoming a healthier, more empowered version of yourself.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8698945/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24837060/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/imj.3_13463
https://www.nature.com/articles/0803008#tbl1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19501250/
https://www.redbookmag.com/body/health-fitness/a40376/woman-hypnosis-weight-loss/