This is the time of year when I tend to see a number of clients who are keen to lose a bit of weight. Hypnotherapy is an excellent way to shed weight in a natural, healthy way and it has the added effect of boosting our confidence too.

However, it is important to point out that weight management is really quite a complex issue and I do point out to clients that other factors needed to be taken into account when they embark on a weight loss programme.

Firstly, we must examine whether there are physical issues which may have contributed to weight gain and therefore it is important to see a doctor to rule any of these out. For example the client may perhaps have an underactive thyroid, and this can lead to weight gain even on a light diet as the metabolism is not functioning correctly. Another problem which can cause weight gain particularly round the middle is the stress hormone, cortisol, which can effect a lot of people in today’s high pressure world.

There is then the emotional connection with food, which may have begun in childhood with a parent giving us something sugary and yummy when we were upset/bored/unwell etc. It’s well known that chocolate can give you the same feeling you get when you are in love, and also food manufacturers are very clever at making products which contain an addictive cocktail of ingredients. Very often we reward ourselves with that cake or piece of chocolate in times of stress. These can be difficult habits to break, and unlike smoking (which we don’t need to do so we can cut it out completely) we have to eat to survive.

Many of my clients are really fed up with the old pattern of dieting, then bingeing and just want to live their lives eating healthily and normally. There is also pressure from the media to be a certain weight, but we are all different builds. My mum and I both take a size 12/14 but I am 3 stone heavier than her.

When I see a client for weight loss I am very careful to look at the whole picture and advise, if necessary, a visit to the GP or perhaps a nutritionist as there may be food intolerances there too. We look at lifestyle too, and ways in which the client can easily incorporate some exercise. It has to be practical and sustainable in order to work.

The ‘magic’ bit, the hypnotherapy then brings everything together, helping to deeply relax the client (this has profound physical and emotional benefits) and gently weaving in suggestions for changing habits, so that he or she can then be aware of automatically eating smaller, healthier portions and feel wonderful, full of energy and a sense of wellbeing.

Everyone is different, and this is why I make sure that I use a truly holistic approach with each person that I see. I really want to make sure that lasting changes are made, not just a quick fix.

If you would like to arrange an appointment to chat about weight loss, please do get in touch.

Best wishes,
Wendy x