Conference rocks::weight_control

    My mother tried this a few yrs back, but............ she is one
    of the few who has a natural rejection to the subconscious being
    manipulated; so it didn't work on her!  Sorry, can't be of help,
    other than to say, be aware not everyone can be hypnotized, and
    it may be a waste of money for you!  
    
    Mary-Lynn

    I was hypnotized about 5 years ago.  Before I went I was a big
    sweet eater.  Now I don't eat sweets.  Hostess cupcakes and those
    type of pastry I think of as chemicals not food.  It's funny how
    when I use to crave them It doesn't bother me now that I don't eat
    them.

    When I was 13, I went to a hypnotist, and it didn't work.  Like
    Mary-Lynn said in .1, not all people can be hypnotized... I guess
    I'm one of the those people... *sigh* if it had worked, I might
    have been thin 12 years ago... oh well... it's coming off now!
    
    					*** Kristy ***

    Hypnosis tends to only work on weaker mined people. And I don't
    mean weaker to say stupid. Some people do not have the control of
    their thoughts that others have. Hypnosis will not work if you override
    the "suggestions" yourself.
    
    Don't get me wrong, if it works for you, great. That does not mean
    you're stupid, weak minded or not in control. Just that you were
    unable to overcome the suggestions.
    
    Also, this tends to apply to aversion therapy also (like the Shick
    center).
    
    							--- Neal

    The success of hypnosis can be dependent, in my experience, on giving
    yourself (or having the hypnotist give you) the correct suggestions.
    I learned auto-hypnosis, and it worked for me to assist my weight
    control--but not in the usual way.
    
    I had no success with programming myself to love raw veggies (I
    hate them--they don't digest well) or imagining myself "in control"
    in various possible "out-of-control" situations involving eating.
    
    What _did_ work was attacking the problems that caused me to want
    to overeat in the first place.  I said elsewhere in this file that 
    I have habitually overeaten to smother bad feelings.  The hypnotic
    suggestions that worked were along these lines:
    
    	It is safe for me to become consciously aware of all my feelings
    	when I feel them.  Nothing bad will happen just because I feel
    	something.
    
    	I am strong enough to consciously experience and acknowledge
        all my feelings.
    
    	It is easy for me to consciously choose if I want to express
    	any feeling I have.
    
    	Other people are not damaged if I choose to express my feelings.
    
    And suddenly, I found I was relying less on food for emotional support!
    It was just a matter of finding the right "button".  So before you
    give up on hypnosis completely, give deep thought to what you'd
    like to suggest to yourself that you feel would _really_ help in
    your weight control program.  What really helps you is as individual
    as you are.
    
    Marcia

RE: .4

	( Not a flame, just an opposing opinion on hypnosis and mind
	  strength )

	Neal,  The ability to be hypnotized has little to do with a 
"strong" or a "weak" mind.  You say that hypnosis will not work if you 
override the suggestions yourself; this is absolutely TRUE.
However,  just because you override a subconscious suggestion does not make 
your mind in the least bit stronger.  ANYONE can override a subconscious by
simply wanting to.


	I could turn it around by saying that those people that get hypnotized
and can not loose weight are weak minded because they can not exercise the
will power it takes to stay with the diet.  I for one would not be proud of
the fact that my mind was able to overcome suggestions that were given to me
for a good reason.  The only thing you stand to gain with that attitude is 
weight!

	Hypnosis works by making your conscious mind and your subconscious
mind agree on a goal.  For those of you who have trouble sticking to a diet
but really "want to loose weight", the hypnosis can give you the strength
to stick to the diet.  Hypnosis is only effective if you 1: agree with 
whatever the hypnotist is telling you. 2: It only works if you can put
your trust in the hypnotist (not as easy as it sounds when it comes to
someone messing with your head).  If you try hypnosis and don't see immediate
results, don't give it up that easy.  It takes time for hypnosis to work and
usually a few sessions before you get good at it.


	I have used a hypnotist in the past to help me realize some of my
goals (weight and otherwise).  Now I practice self hypnosis when I have a
goal that I am having trouble attaining and find it can work wonders.
    
Chalk up one more vote for hypnosis.

Chris.

    A friend of mine underwent hypnosis, and I was surprised to find
    that it worked on guilt.   If she ate anything beyond her advised
    diet, she would feel intensely guilty and resolve to do better.
     It wasn't even a "Bummer, I messed up my diet" guilt, it was "Oh
    my God,what have I done?" type of guilt.  This really kind of bugged
    me.
    
    helen

    My sister used hypnosis to loose weight two years age.  It was group
    hypnosis, and it worked well for her.  She still has not put the
    weight back on.  I tried it last year after seeing her success.
    It didn't seem to do the trick.    
    
    Marion

 CHRIS, HELEN OR MARION,
     I HAVE WANTED TO GO TO A HYPNOTIST FOR YEARS BUT NEVER KNEW ANYONE
    WHO HAD GONE AND COULD REFER ME TO ONE. COULD YOU CHECK WITH YOUR
    FRIENDS AND FIND OUT THE DRS. NAME AND PASS IT ON TO ME OR OTHERS
    WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED?    THANKS.
                                            C.K.Z

    I am new to the notes and wish I had more time to read all this
    great stuff. Anyway, I just recently tried hypnosis. She has been
    doing this for 25 years helping people with weightloss and smoking
    etc. Anyway, Sometimes it takes two sessions. I had one session
    and it was strange for me to have a desire for fruits and vegetables
    instead of cakes, and sweets. One of the suggestions was that I
    would only be able to eat 1/2 of what I had on my plate. It happened!!
    It was strange. She also gave me a cassette tape of music she plays
    in the background while you are under. I never thought I could be
    hypnotized!! It was wonderful. I only paid $35.  I had a few problems
    during the Christmas weekend and but the suggestions given to me
    while under is that I won't be discouraged by a setback. AND I'M
    NOT!!! I have tried so many diets over the years, WW, Diet Workshop,
    Physicians weight loss clinic (lost 37 and put 47 back on!) etc,
    etc. This has been a big change for me. My whole thinking has changed.
    Somehow I knew that You have to have the right frame of mind because
    that is where it all starts. If you want more information you can
    contact me at NECVAX::DESHARNAIS.   Good luck!
    
    

               
           One question about hypnosis:
    
            If the hypnosis doesn't work for an individual, does that
           person receive a refund of his or her money, and is that
           just money lost, due to the fact that your mind couldn't
           be changed?
    
    
           Chris
    

    I DIDN'T ASK, BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT IT IS NOT REFUNDABLE. HOW
    WOULD THEY PROVE THAT YOU ARE  not  HYPNOTIZED???  YOU COULD SAY
    IT DIDN'T WORK AND ASK FOR A REFUND, BUT I DOUBT YOU WOULD RECEIVE
    ONE.  THE PERSON I WENT TO SAID THE MOST BE CAN BE HYPNOTIZED BUT
    YOU HAVE TO WANT TO. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT
    IS BEING SAID TO YOU.  WHILE I WAS UNDER I WAS AWARE SHE WAS TALKING
    TO ME AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF "IS THIS REALLY IT??!" I WAS OVERJOYED
    BY THE EXPERIENCE AND SHE ASKED ME WHAT I FELT LIKE. I TOLD HER
    I FELT LIKE CRYING  WHILE UNDER AND SHE SAID WHY. I TOLD HER I WAS
    SO HAPPY TO FIND SOME HELP IN LOSING WEIGHT. WHEN SHE BROUGHT ME
    OUT OF HYPNOSIS, A TEAR RAN DOWN MY CHEEK.  I FELT SO WONDERFUL
    AND ENTHUSIASTIC PLUS A SENSE THAT I WAS GOING TO SUCCEED FINALLY.
    
    IT IS HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS ALL MY FEELINGS.  I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT
    THIS FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS.  FINALLY MADE THE DECISION AND THE $35
    WAS WELL WORTH IT.    TWO YEARS AGO I SPENT $345 FOR PHYSICIANS
    WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. I LOSS THE WEIGHT AND PUT IT BACK ON BECAUSE
    THESE PROGRAMS KEEP YOU ON 400 TO 600 CALORIES A DAY. YOU CAN'T
    LIVE ON THAT AND ONCE YOU GO BACK TO ADDING THE CALORIES --UP YOU
    GO AGAIN PLUS 10 OR 20 LBS MORE. MY OWN PHYSICIAN WARNED ME THAT
    EVERY PATIENT OF HIS WHO HAVE TRIED THOSE LOW CALORIE PROGRAMS ALL
    PUT THE WEIGHT BACK ON + MORE.   HE WAS RIGHT. I HAD TO LEARN THE
    HARD WAY.
    
    I GUESS IT IS UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL. IF YOU'VE TRIED OTHERS AND
    THEY DON'T WORK, YOU HAVE TO FIND ONE THAT DOES.
    
    

           .12
               Thanks for the info. By the way, what is your first name?
           Must have missed your introduction somewhere. :-)
    
           Chris
    

    An update on my progress. I had a reinforcement session of hypnosis
    and that was 12/31.  I've lost 7 lbs since then! I feel great too!.
    I get so full on salad for lunch and a turkey sandwich on weight
    watches bread (they have it here in the cafeteria MKO2) I yearn
    for fruit in the afternoon so I get an apple and cut it up a piece
    at a time instead of just biting into it. My subconcious won't let
    me eat desserts.  I was out to dinner last night with a good friend
    and I stayed with the diet with no desire for the dessert. Ordered
    a cup of coffee. 
    
    I'll keep you posted.
    
    Barbara :-)
    
    

    If you are in a weight loss program and you want to try some self-
    hypnosis that is a good technique for putting your subconscious
    and conscious mind to working the same goals.
    
    Each morning when I wake up I think of my weightloss program.  I
    imagine myself in a pleasant situation looking good.  I then plan
    what I am going to eat.  I support this activity by reading either
    this conference or an article on nutrition or weightloss.

RE:	< Note 39.9 by FXADM::SECURITY >

	Sorry I haven't replied but I started a new position and have had
little time to read the notes files.

	I can't remember the name of the hypnotist I last used (2+ yrs ago)
but below is a letter I sent to someone else in search of a hypnotist
that might get you started. ( I also addressed his/her other questions
as best I could...)


Hi,

	I was lucky in that I first was hypnotized by my brother ( a licensed
hypnotists but now lives in Florida ) and found that later when I went to
get hypnotized by someone local it was much easier to deal with having already
experienced it.  The easiest ( and cheapest ) way to get hypnosis is to look
in the yellow pages for psychologists that use hypnosis.  They help you deal
with problems such as weight loss, smoking or stress.  Normally this is 
expensive say around $50 - $100 per hour ( a good average would be about $70 ).
However if you have health insurance through John Hancock (Like most DEC 
employees) they will pay 80% of all your Psychologists fees for up to $2,000
a year!  Not bad?  You will find that then the average visit might cost you
about $14 (a lot easier to take). (I forgot to mention you have to pay the first
$50)

	Also, Please don't confuse Psychologists with Psychiatrists.  
Psychiatrists deal with emotional problems and like to ask you questions about
whether or not you had a lousy childhood :-).  Psychologists are a different 
branch of professionals that deal with physiological problems that effect the 
mind (like Migraine headaches, stress .... as well as behavioral problems and 
habits such as smoking and overeating).  Psychologists use tools like 
hypnosis and Biofeedback to help you change your behavior patterns.

	If you decide to try it give it a few months before you give up on it
(especially if it's not costing much).  Being hypnotized doesn't happen that 
fast (it may take a few tries) and as you go more often you get better, which
will allow you to set your goals much stronger.  Eventually you will become 
accustomed to it and then learn to reinforce your hypnosis with some self 
hypnosis.  This allows you to change your goals and reinforce them as often as 
you wish.  Just remember that you need to trust the person you deal with.  I do 
not say this because you need to worry about what they might tell you to do, but
because by trusting you will allow yourself to be hypnotized much faster and 
more effectively.  Remember a hypnotists CAN NOT MAKE YOU DO ANYTHING against 
your own will.

	I hope this helps.


	Chris.

    I haven't introduced myself yet, but I'll sign my name at the end
    of this reply. :-)                    
    
    I came in here looking specifically for a note on hypnosis as an
    aid for weightloss.  Looks like I found it.  I can't tell you my
    experience because I haven't gone yet, but I have an appointmnet
    for next week.  I've been hypnotised before, to help me to quit
    smoking, and though I didn't quit for good, I did quit for quite
    a long time and, from my perspective, that's better than not at all.
    I enjoy being hypnotised and I generally "go under" very easily.
    A whole lot depends upon how comfortable I feel with the hypnotist,
    and how motivated I feel, generally.
    
    I called Turin Associates in Lexington, MA.  When I went for smoking,
    I had Dr. Turin, but this time around I will be working with his
    associate, Doris Berkstresser.  I really liked Dr. Turin and was
    a little bit disappointed to hear that he couldn't fit me into his
    schedule (at least not as readily as Doris could) but I talked to
    Doris on the phone and I enjoyed our conversation, so I'm going
    to give her a go.  Her "program" is three sessions long.  My
    understanding is that the first session doesn't include hypnosis,
    but it does include homework of some sort.  The second session is
    entirely hypnosis, and the third session is hypnosis, plus instruction
    on how to "do it" myself.
    
    I don't think I'm going to concentrate soley on weightloss, but
    will ask for the focus to be more of a 'be good to my body by eating
    more of the things that are good for it' i.e., complex carbos, less
    fats, more fruits and veggies, less red meats.  I tend to eat a
    lot of junk and "fast" foods (not necessarily McD's, but stuff that's
    easily put together).  I have a very difficult time knowing when
    I am hungry and knowing when I am full, so I will also want some
    help in noticing those two conditions.  I am very optimistic.  I
    think weight loss will be a natural by-product.  And, actually,
    the times I have been successful at losing weight on my own have
    been the times when I have 'fed my body right'.
    
    I'll keep y'all posted.
    
    Also, re: 16:  If you've gotten John Hancock to pay for your "hypnosis
    sessions to lose weight" as "therapy", you're lucky.  Or, my hypnotist
    is misinformed.  (Or honest?)  One of the things that Doris stressed 
    when I talked to her on the telephone is that hypnosis to lose weight 
    is _not_ covered by insurance as psychaitric care, and that I am solely
    responsible for the bill.  Dr. Turin told me the same thing many
    years ago when I went to him for smoking, and I also remember having
    to sign a form stating I understood this.  Anyway, the three sessions 
    will cost me $125.
                                  
    Christine (who'd like to lose 30 lbs.)

    Christine,
    
    Did your hypnosis treatment for better eating habits (and weight
    loss) work as well as the treatment for smoking?  Assuming that
    you've been through the three treatments by now, I'd like to 
    hear more about it.                              
    
    					Thanks,
    						Donna

    Hypnosis is wonderful.  I just started seeing a hypnotherapist and
    I think it is going to really help my weight loss as I address the
    things that make me eat.  I have been hypnotized prior to this and
    have practiced self-hypnosis so the experience is not new.  The
    new hypnotherapist is great.
    
    Regarding some earlier (and very old) statements, most people can
    be hypnotized.  You are completely aware of what is going on around
    you so some people don't realize they have been hypnotized.  I asked
    the therapist how deep an induction she had gotten with me and she
    said pretty deep - it all feels the same to me.  Hypnosis is enjoyable
    - the feeling is one of heightenend awareness (not diminished).
    As for control, the feeling is sort of "I can open my eyes if I
    want to, but I don't want to."
    
    As for hypnotizable people being 'weak' - untrue.
    
    When I was living in Massachusetts, I took a weekend seminar
    (uncredited) at Bridgewater State College.  It was inexpensive and
    a lot of fun.  The instructor asked what types of personal things
    we wanted to improve, explained a lot about hypnosis and induced
    us.  He made post-hypnotic suggestions to help with self-hypnosis.
    If you are curious about hypnosis and can find a course like this,
    take it.
    
    One thing I found interesting in the seminar was that several people
    wanted to use self-hypnosis to try and stop procrastination.  I
    had never thought of this as something curable but the instructor
    said he had had quite a bit of luck with that.
    
    Denise

    Has anyone heard of the "Mad Russian" in Brookline?  I've heard
    that he has had great success in getting people to stop smoking,
    in fact my sister stopped in December through him and I thought
    she would never quit.
    
    Well, I'm hoping he can do the same thing with eating because I
    have an appointment to see him after work tonight.  My sister made
    this appointment a year ago, that's how popular he is.  I'm not
    sure that I can be hypnotised because even though I really want
    to be, I think down deep I'm really scared.
    
    I would really like to hear if anyone else has had any success with
    him (or not), or know of someone that has.
    
    I guess this will mean I've tried just about everything.
    
    Fran

	I know 2 success stories of his (smoking), and no stories of
    failure.
    
    -mike z

    Hi,
    
    	I know this is an old note, but if someone could give me a number,
    or an address of someone who still does hypnosis for weightloss, that
    would be great.
    
    Thank you
    Tracy