Just the one. But the light bulb has to want to change.
Happily, there’s no change on the cards for me just yet – no career change into comedy, that is. The joke was just to introduce the concept that in the field of weight loss hypnotherapy, the client is expected to embrace change. It is essential that he or she is willing to take emotional responsibility for his or her own health for treatment to be successful. The weight loss hypnotherapist is there to provide the tools and an instruction manual.
So to help start you off, here is an abbreviated manual – a short list of simple tips to ensure a smile when you step on the household weighing scales.
1. Lose weight with weight loss hypnosis by cutting out all excuses.
The first and most important way a client can take full emotional responsibility is to stop making excuses. Don’t think of yourself as a victim.
2. Remind yourself why you want to lose weight.
a. Put post notes around the kitchen with quotes. ‘No nonsense, no excuses, no FAT‘, ‘no more fat dad at the school gates’ etc.
b. Find an outfit you’re going to fit into very soon. Hang it up and let it inspire you.
c. Have a fat photograph of yourself on your mobile telephone screensaver. Have the image in front of you when you eat.
3. Weight loss hypnotherapy does not employ restricted diets.
Restricted dogmas do not work. If you demand that you MUST not eat certain foods, you become obsessed and are likely to relapse and put back on more weight.
4. Follow the Association of Weight Loss Hypnotherapists 80/20 rule.
This is the rule that means you don’t have to deny yourself all the food and drink you’ve become accustomed to. All you need do is maintain a balance.
5. Lose weight by reducing your portions.
Don’t be fooled into eating too much. Use a small white plate. Take a quarter off your plate. It’s that simple. And don’t forget to let your body know that you’re in charge. If you feel a little hungry at times, congratulate yourself. It’s working – the fat is coming off. So be happy, be excited.
6. Banish Boredom and lose weight.
You’re probably unaware of quite how much you devour over the day just to stave off tedium. But being aware of your actions is a vital part of your weight loss programme. What you need is mental stimulation. Take up a few hobbies. I’d recommend hobbies that involve a bit of exercise.
7. Ignore the moaners.
We are all aware of those who allow themselves to be a victim of life. Usually jealousy is the reason they moan. Moaners are excuse makers. Give them a solution to a problem and they will find a problem to the solution. A good solution to the moaners is to ignore them. Don’t let them allow you to become a victim… Don’t let let them assist you in staying fat.
8. Reward yourself for your weight loss.
Celebrate the fact that you’re losing weight. Go and do some of the things you always imagined you’d like to do but didn’t because you felt too weighed down by… well, your weight. You’ll find that rewarding yourself will motivate you even further and the pounds will continue to fall off.
Danny McDermid
Danny is a graduate in psychology. After his degree, he studied with the London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy to become a practitioner of Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy. He runs Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic in his home city in Yorkshire, England and is a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Check out Dan's site here: leeds-hypnotherapy-clinic.co.uk
This is fantastic blog. There are some excellent tips that anyone can incorporate in their daily lives to achieve weight loss. I know that when I was fat I had to really motivate myself to lose weight.
Thanks for the comment Manjit. I’m glad you agree with the tips. When they’re followed by clients, then weight loss occurs. Anyone can lose weight when they have the right frame of mind. Lose weight: It’s a doddle. Well done on your own success with your weight loss.
Many of those points resonate with me Danny, personal responsibility, especially where it involves emotional eating, was a key for me. It’s easy to play the victim and say you cannot control your emotions and therefore what you eat, this I now know is rubbish. Building your confidence, taking responsibility for what and how much I put in my mouth, keeping the food plan simple and some strongly worded motivational hypnosis helped me shed my excess weight. I think a weight loss hypnotherapist acts as a catalyst and provided the client buys into the process, together great things can be achieved.
Well done on your success Christine. You’ve done very well and deserve the weight loss you’ve achieved. You took responsibility for your health and practised the principles that were taught to you… and now you look glam.
Point 5 is my biggest issue. When hungry I always feel I need to eat more. Something I have to overcome! Does smaller plates really work?
Thanks for the comments everyone. With regards to Andrew’s question, smaller dishes can help with weight loss. Throughout the past 40 years society’s perception of portions have become distorted. When buying food in the supermarket, the quantity for one portion has become larger. This has allowed the public to be hypnotised into believing that they’re eating the correct quantities. This obviously makes weight-loss more challenging.
When in the comfort of your own home you are able to take ownership of the portion size. Using smaller cutlery can help. If you are able to focus and motivate your mind to understand that the quantity on the smaller dish you are using is enough to fuel your body, but also small enough to achieve a healthy weight loss, then the science will take care of itself. Anybody can do it if they put their minds to it. That’s what my job is to do, help clients programme their minds to take control back and weight loss will occur.
Restricted diets are like straight jackets. They suffocate long term and in my opinion are not conducive to healthy sustained weight management. ‘Ignore the moaners’ – you speak my language! I have a saying that one needs to hangout with the radiators and flush the drains.
You’re exactly correct Steve. Restricted diets don’t work. They’re too demanding and cause people to become obsessed and eventually relapse into their old unhealthy habits of gluttony. Weight loss can only be achieved long term a a degree of flexibility. This is why the 80-20 rule is so effective. I find that most clients prefer a straight talking approach. I think your saying about the radiators and drains should be implemented by everyone. It would help many enhance their emotional well being.
Yes! Once ownership has been accepted and taken and excuses see for what they really are, sound progress can really be made. You have totally highlighted the crux of the matter which is, taking personal responsibility for your health and life!
Yes Laura, taking full emotional responsibility is the crux for weight loss to be achieved. It’s the first rule that has to addressed with weight loss clients.
Great article Danny – really useful points in there. One other point I also tend to make is to focus entirely on the act of eating itself. ‘Eat like a ‘Master Chef’ Judge’ – that’s what I tell my clients.
Most folks nowadays have a fork in one hand, a mobile phone in the other, the TV blaring and work scattered on the table too. When they’re more consciously and slowly eating, savouring each and every taste and texture… they tend to naturally eat less and become satisfied sooner. Absolutely love the Moaners section – so true!