Why is something which should be so easy as maintaining a normal weight, be so difficult, and elude so many? Despite all the money spent on diet books, magazines, weight loss centers, and workout programs, people keep putting on the pounds. Currently, there are more people of all ages suffering from obesity than ever before. A major reason for this failure is that two major keys to the overweight problem have been missing. One key opens the door to understanding carbohydrate/fat metabolism, and the underlying link of hyperinsulinemia.that  governs fat storage and release. The other vital key, "interactive self-hypnosis" opens the door to the long term motivation and persistence which is needed to lose weight permanently. These keys break through the yo-yo weight gain syndrome, eroding hopelessness and helplessness, while delivering high energy to the mind and body, allowing perfect focus on the needed lifestyle change.

KEY #1: Carbohydrate/Fat Metabolism

Despite all our medical advances, it has only been in the last ten years that carbohydrate/fat metabolism has been the focus of intense medical research. More and more studies have been centered on how and why the body stores and burns fat, and how dieting defeats it’s own purpose. Recent research has opened the door on the vital part insulin plays in the problem of carbohydrate addiction and yo-yo weight gain. This research has also uncovered an underlying Profactor in the body physiology of a large percentage of people, which not only interferes which how the body handles carbohydrates, but is a causative factor in the major causes of death in this country, namely heart disease, adult onset diabetes, certain types of cancer, and other circulatory disturbances. 

Only by giving up dieting, understanding the role of refined sugar, flour, and high fat, as well as learning how to manage your mind/body stress management system, can you begin to achieve the kind of lean healthy body you have always wanted. When you work with your body to burn fat, you will lose excess stored fat effectively and permanently without hunger, fatigue and without counting calories. It is actually possible to eat the foods you truly enjoy every day, reduce cravings, and lose excess stored fat.

KEY #2: Interactive Self-Hypnosis

"Interactive Self-Hypnosis" was developed by the author, and encompasses a variety of techniques or tools to manage the thoughts, emotions, and body sensations of the individual. Other tools allow for the formation of new subconscious programming which moves the individual past the problem and into the positive goal picture. These tools are utilized ongoing, not just during a formal hypnosis session, thereby allowing the individual total control over the process. This allows for very rapid change in old habits, and the development of high level mind/body health including accelerated learning and achievement.

It is vitally important to understand the importance of stress management in the weight loss picture. Under stress the body produces hormones or chemicals, which actually work to keep the fat in the cells. The continual production of these chemicals can prove to be very dangerous, and even deadly. They are responsible for the top killers including heart disease, adult onset diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, certain cancers including breast, ovarian and uterine, high blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and are connected to yo-yo weight gain and smoking. Besides the excess insulin problem, there is another insidious stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands known as cortisol which plays a major role in 60-90% of disease states, as well as causing an increase in cell fat storage.

"Interactive Self-Hypnosis" includes an important mental biofeedback tool. This technique actually retrains the brain to notice stress at very low levels, and then releases it, thereby interfering with stress toxin storage. The body, free of excess insulin, cortisol, adrenalin, and other hormones is now in a position to play the game of health and fat loss.

A large portion of our stress originates in the thought processes. Thoughts are chemically charged images which seem to hold free rein in our minds. Thoughts actually manufacture stress hormones which make us store fat. The good news is that we do have control over this mechanism, and by developing the power to notice and release our thought patterns, we gain control over our minds and bodies. When we learn to let go of thought patterns, we simultaneously lower the vibration of our brain waves, and lower the production of stress hormones. 

The faster our brain waves, the more hormones we produce. It is vital for all stress management, and certainly for weight management to know how to control this hormone production. This is accomplished through the "Interactive Self-Hypnosis" tool of insight meditation, which differs from other meditations. It is a working focus tool, allowing us to notice and release thoughts, emotions, and body sensations which are the body communicators. In other words, we can consciously control our level of stress hormones, and be in charge of a large part of our body physiology.

Another powerful tool utilized in "Interactive Self-Hypnosis" is the development of metaphors or sensory images. The sub-conscious mind, or the right brain, perceives in images. These images are often visual, but include all the senses. The brain works like a large complex computer. Unfortunately it comes without an owners manual, but through specialized hypnosis education you can learn to utilize the workings of this marvelous machine to reach your goals, and then some.

Learning "interactive self-hypnosis" is quite simple, and can be taught to children and adults alike. These techniques work best when they are client specific, the reason being that people are motivated, or de-motivated in many different ways, and certainly respond differently to specific images and metaphors.

Metaphors form the tool box of the hypnotist. A regular hypnosis session is divided into the induction, the delivery of metaphoric material, and the emerging process. In weight management it is often desirable to increase self-motivation and persistence. We are a quick fix society, and unfortunately quick weight loss does not equate with permanent weight loss. Hypnosis is very useful in keeping a person focused on a healthy exercise program, as well as addressing self-image, self-esteem and body image issues. 

If a person has never been their ideal healthy weight, they may not have a conscious or sub-conscious stored image of themselves in this state. It is not uncommon for a very obese person to be frightened as their new body emerges, and hypnosis is very useful in helping to release this fear and anxiety.

Losing weight can be an exciting journey. With a multi-faceted approach, a person moves from a position of powerlessness to one of self-control, growth, high-energy and achievement, but most important of all, one receives the gift of health. Their hearts are now able to pump oxygen rich blood throughout their bodies, and they are able to easily digest the nutritional foods they eat. They have developed an increased resistance to illness, disease, and have found a new healthy interest in themselves.

Losing weight is a multi-faceted process. Once we learn to manage our own body physiology, reduce stress chemicals, improve nutrition, develop an ongoing exercise program, and utilize our master computer through "interactive self-hypnosis", we are on our way, not only to a trim healthy body, but to a richer fuller life.

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Audio Work-Along Suggestions

Self-Hypnosis:  Weight Reduction      Self-Hypnosis:  Managing Sugar Addiction

Self-Hypnosis:  Emotional Eating     Self-Hypnosis:  Compulsive Eating

Self-Hypnosis:  High Level Nutrition       Affirmations:  Self-Discipline - Weight

Affirmations:  Self-Esteem         Affirmations:  Self-Image

Licking Sugar Addiction Workbook & Audio Series

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Self -  Development Questions

1. What are the most important parts of this article as it relates to you?

2. What is the most important change you need to make?

3. How will you make this change?  What action steps do you need to make today?

4. How does you current nutrition plan affect your levels of stress?  What things will you change beginning today?

5. Describe how you will feel when you new nutritional plan is in place.  In your mind's eye see yourself feeling better than before.  How will this affect other areas of your life?

© Sarasota Medical Hypnosis Institute & Therapeutic Work Environments 2000.  May be copied for personal use, but not reprinted without permission.