How to Stop 'The Weight Loss Battle'

Yo-yo dieting, over-eating, weight problems and other eating disorders are in most cases so complex, and the problem is never the same for any two people. I work with every client as the unique individual they are, and begin by looking at what lies at the root of their problems. 

Wild animals eat only when they are hungry, and stop when they're full...for us humans, over-eating and weight issues are connected to a all sorts of things! Learned beliefs and behaviours in childhood, bad habits formed as we go through life, lonlieness, boredom, self-loathing... or we may use food to 'push down' negative feelings, or fill a void... Of course food can never do this, and we feel much worse after over-eating than we did before we tried to make ourselves feel better by doing so! 

Many of these issues can be buried in our subconscious mind so we're not even consciously aware of why we over-eat, but there is an ongoing battle between the part which wants to lose the excess weight and the part that for some reason wants to hold onto it, and/or the comfort eating. If these issues aren't dealt with, people may lose weight temporarily, but the yo-yo eating/weight problems will be likely to continue, which is why dieting is such a huge industry! 

To help my clients change their eating habits, I generally like to begin by using hypnotherapy to take them back to childhood, and become aware of any memories or experiences which may be connected to over-eating and being overweight, in order to release the subconscious hold they have on them. I then also use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping) to release any unwanted thoughts, beliefs and feelings which are causing blockages in their energy system, and teach them to use it themselves, so that they can continue to 'tap away' unwanted emotions, habits, cravings etc.

Many people who contact me as a hypnotherapist are looking for a 'quick fix' or a 'magic wand' - although I really do wish I had one! Hypnosis is not about  me'putting' someone into a trance, or me 'making' you change the way you think and feel, it's a two-way process during which my clients need to allow themselves to go along with my suggestions and enter a deeply relaxed state. While in this state, they can accept further suggestions into their subconscious minds about making positive changes, being in control, and eating mindfully and consciously, only when they are actually hungry. 

I also use powerful NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) techniques which help you to re-programme your mind by imagining or visualising yourself, looking and feeling the way you want to, rather than focusing on how you don't want to look and feel, so you can move toward your goal of becoming slim, fit, healthy, and happy. 

I've been a qualified therapist since 1998, and helping people to lose weight with hypnotherapy since 2005, but became a licensed Hypno-Band System practitioner at the beginning of this year as I was beginning to get more and more enquiries about this weight loss method. It is another option to help people lose weight, however, you have to be prepared to allow your subconscious mind to imagine your stomach being the size of a golf ball and only eat very, very small meals, as do people who have actual gastric bands fitted, so it's not for everyone.

I have talked to several people who have spent around £8,000 having actual gastric bands fitted, and then liquidised chocolate and melted ice cream because they still felt the need to get these fattening foods into their bodies. This is further proof that when the underlying issues connected to the surface problem of over-eating are not dealt with, the subconscious part of your mind can continue to unwittingly sabotage your goals.

If you struggle with your weight, or know someone who wants to finally stop 'The Weight Loss Battle', contact me for further information. I can help you to set yourself free... 

Toni Mackenzie - The Self Empowerment Coach.
http://www.innerdepths.co.uk