Latest Hypnosis Post

Mind Over Matter: Key Strategies for Weight Loss Success

Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share of diets over the years.

From Weight Watchers to the Zone to Sugar Busters, she feels as if she has tried them all. While she has had moderate success in losing weight from time to time, she has never found a long-term weight loss solution. Her weight is a point of contention in her marriage; her husband—who also happens to be obese—wishes she were thin, but says he loves her anyway.

The two have been separated a number of times, and even filed for divorce once. The stress has caused Katie to begin binge eating again.

There is hope for Katie and others like her who feel as if they’re trapped on the diet carousel. The key to long-term weight loss success may not be the body, but the mind. Research indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life are more likely to lose weight—and stay thin.

But how can you have a positive outlook when you’ve been burned so many times before? Is it possible to “will your way” to losing weight?

One technique that has been proven effective in sports training is something called visualization. For instance, a baseball player might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading to a home run. A soccer player might visualize kicking the winning goal in a soccer match. Gresham Hypnosis Center teaches you visualization through self -hypnosis

And a golfer might visualize sinking the winning putt in the Masters Tournament.

The same technique can be used by dieters. Visualize yourself as thin. Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes too small. Imagine stepping onto the scale and being pleased with the result. Visualize yourself saying “no” to that piece of chocolate cake or that plate of Fettuccine Alfredo. These mind exercises can help to spur you onto weight loss.

When people learn they are suffering from cancer, they are encouraged to imagine their cancer cells being destroyed by healthy cells. You can follow the same technique in order to lose weight. That means imagining your fat cells being destroyed by thin cells. Through such a method, you can “think your way” to a healthy weight.

In addition, it is critically important that you maintain a positive attitude. Be forgiving of yourself.

If you veer off your diet plan, simply get back on course with your next meal. Don’t spend precious time “beating yourself up” over your failures. Instead, celebrate your successes—in a non-fattening way. For instance, when you reach a milestone—say you’ve lost ten pounds—reward yourself with a trip to an art museum or to your favorite coffee shop (but skip the cream and sugar).

Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense that you are triumphing over food.

Another helpful technique can be prayer or meditation. Some support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that use scripture verses to help inspire. Taking stock of your life and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher power can be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weight difficulties.

It has been said that a clear head leads to a healthy body. Try praying or meditating ten minutes at the start of your day. Chances are you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the weight challenges that come your way.

Yet another technique you might consider is role-playing. Grab your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a situation in which you might be tempted to overeat. You’ll be forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation.

This rehearsal could prove to be quite helpful when a real life diet dilemma comes your way. If role-playing works for job interviews, it should be beneficial for your weight as well.

Mind over matter is not just a clever saying. It can actually be the solution to your weight loss problems. By using your brain power, you can develop the techniques needed to make healthy food choices. When your mind and your body are both healthy, you have the best of both worlds.

Gresham Hypnosis Center will teach you the most effective ways to visualize your goals and to success! We’ve got the Weight Reduction Program for you, check us out!

Measure Your Progress

An extremely important part of your fitness program is being able to measure your progress.

Body fat testing is not painful, nor is it expensive. You can get it done at most any gym or fitness center. Simply ask if they have an expert who can measure body composition.

It’s also a good idea to take ‘before and after photos’ and post them somewhere you’ll see them every day.

But most importantly, measure 5 – 10 different aspects of your progress.
My most successful clients measure everything in their life that’s affected by their weight loss, normally on a simple scale from 1 – 10, such as:

– their daily energy level
– their attitude
– the way they feel when they look in the mirror
– the way they fit into their clothes
– the compliments they get from people
– their level of mental focus
– their waist, hips, and thigh measurements
– their body weight
– their body-fat level
– their endurance in their workouts
– etc, etc, etc…

Make a long list of ways you can measure your progress – but be sure to include things that are truly important to YOU. If having loads of energy is important to you, then you should be measuring your energy level every day to see if your diet and/or workout routine are doing their job.

On the other hand, if you already have a lot of daily energy, than you might not want to measure that – you might prefer to measure other things that are more important to you at your current stage of life.

Take time to design your list, then chart your progress in a daily journal every day for each of the categories on your list. Then take an average for the whole day, and write that average at the top of your page.

Gresham Hypnosis Center has a Weight Reduction Program that’s right for you. Check us out!

5 Healthy Tips To Weight Loss

The world is fascinated with weight loss.

No matter the reason, many people try harsh diets that never work, extreme exercise regimens that result in injuries or other weight loss program that end without success. The reason that none of these weight loss methods seem to work is because in order to stay with a program, you have to enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well.

Below are 5 genuine tips to weight loss, which almost anyone can do without tossing out their favorite food or spending every spare minute in the gym. Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. If anyone promises you different, they are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed.

Follow one single weight loss program for 30 days. Within 30 days you will see results.

Tip # 1
Walking. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process.

Tip # 2
Use a mini cycle. These portable little exercise units offer the look of bicycle pedals set up on a metal bar, but without the high price or weight of a standard exercise bike.

With a min cycle, you can pedal at your desk, on the couch or anywhere else that you can comfortably set and reach the pedals.

Tip # 3
Walk or take the stairs instead of an elevator. This is a terrific weight loss exercise without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as a few extra steps every day can go a long way where weight loss is concerned.

The next time you go to the store, park in the middle of the parking lot and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.

Tip # 4
You don’t necessarily have to cut out all of your favorite foods, but you should eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, if consumed excessively, it may.

For instance, simply limit your intake to one candy bar or, if you are being really careful, a miniature candy. There is no reason to cut out your favorite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during the times that we are focusing on weight loss.

Tip # 5
Whatever your exercise routine, set aside a certain time each day to do it.

Individuals who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise whenever they have time. The goal to successful weight loss is to make time.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Gresham Hypnosis Center has a weight loss program that’s right for you! Check us out!

Weight Loss – Are You Serious?

In today’s stressed-out society, it can be difficult to even think about investing the time to eat properly and exercise.

You may be struggling with those extra pounds, but also struggling with finding the time to care for yourself properly. As your blood pressure and cholesterol increase, your doctor may recommend weight loss. However, time constraints can lead you to wonder how you’ll ever find the time to improve your health.

If you’re short on time, but need to lose weight, use these time saving weight loss tips to help you on your way. The pounds will begin to drop off, and your self-esteem will increase.

Drink Water:
Drinking water can be a great way to improve your health. Hydration helps the body to process and shed extra fat and toxins. Flushing the fat out of your body on a regular basis will lead to weight loss. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day for optimal health. If you struggle with the lack of flavor, try adding a lemon or lime wedge, or one of the new sugar free drink mixes.

Build Exercise Into Your Day:
Take small steps to increase your activity throughout your day. Park your car further from your office. Walk between buildings instead of calling your coworkers. Take a walk on your lunch break. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Meet your friends for a morning jog. Every little bit helps towards your weight loss goals.

Swap Out High Fat Foods for Lower Fat Options:
This can be a relatively painless way to decrease your calorie count. Swap out your rich ranch dressing for a fat free or low calorie salad dressing. Skip the cheese. Switch to 2% or fat free dairy products.

Avoid Liquid Calories:
Sodas, juices, specialty coffee drinks, and alcoholic beverages can all pack a high calorie punch. Liquid calories don’t fill you up the same way food does, so it can be easy to overdo it if you aren’t careful. Skip the high calorie liquids, and stick with water.

** As a little side note on this particular tip, reducing your intake of these liquids, will also help you save money. Now how cool is that.

Try incorporating a few of these tips into your day to see how easy it can be to make healthy choices. Weight loss is a gradual process, and every small step you take towards your goal helps. Even with time constraints, you can make small daily changes to help move you towards your goal weight. You’ll be wearing a smaller size before you know it!

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, nor should it be interpreted or substituted as medical advice. Prior to making changes to your physical exercise routine and your diet, you should always consult your personal physician.

Gresham Hypnosis Center has a weight loss program that’s right for you, check us out!

Exercise — Take The Burn Out Of It!

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Move it throughout the day!

Get enough activity that makes you breathe a little harder. Five minutes here, ten there – add it up and go for thirty minutes a day. You don’t have to suit up or climb on an exercise machine to get the benefits of activity.

Balance your activity so that you’re still able to talk while you’re exercising, but not as easily as you could sitting down or just standing.

If you find yourself unable to talk, you’re probably overworking yourself.

The more you move and use your muscles, the better fit you’ll become. Your bones will become stronger, too.

Don’t forget the stretching. It will help keep you flexible and able to move more easily. Do walk around a bit to warm up your muscles—save the stretching for the end of your workout so you don’t hurt or damage any muscles.

If you save your stretching to the end of your workout, your muscles will be “warmed up” already and you’ll find that your flexibility is increased with each stretch!

Work on your balance. Begin by standing on one foot, bracing yourself with one arm. Work towards standing on one foot at a time without holding on to a support. Just practice this for a few minutes at a time. You’ll find your overall balance improving greatly.

If your main occupation has been “couch potato” for several months, you’ll want to start exercising gradually. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them. Before long, you’ll find yourself moving along with more energy and vitality!

You hear personal trainers emphasizing this mantra to their clients, “Breathe! Breathe!” For some strange reason, we tend to hold our breath when exercising.

What you want to get into the habit of is breathing out while your muscle is working, and breathing in when it relaxes. So as you’re lifting something, breathe out as you lift; breathe in when you stop. At first, you’ll need to remind yourself of this frequently.

Drink plenty of water when you’re doing activities that make you sweat so you don’t risk dehydration. Dehydration can be measured by pinching the skin on the back of your hand—if you can grab it when you make a fist and it (the skin) stays “up,” you’re dehydrated.

You may also feel dizzy, tired, and be more prone to headaches. So stay hydrated!

Exercise shouldn’t cause you pain. You may feel tired after exercising, but if you’re actually hurting, something’s wrong—you’ve overdone it. Try easing up the next day, and not doing anything that strains the aching muscle too much. Alternate cold and heat on the aching area, and if your doctor okays it, take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium to relieve the pain.

Gresham Hypnosis Center has a weight program that is right for you. Check us out!

5 Best Ways To Lose Weight

When you are dealing with a phenomenon as diverse as human beings, it is very difficult to create rules which will work equally well for everyone.

Nevertheless, there are some characteristics shared by all human beings, and this means that some basic principles can be developed. Here are five proven techniques to help you lose weight.

Best Way 1
The most fundamental strategy of successful weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. You shouldn’t find it difficult to apply this in some aspect of your life. Adjust your diet by cutting down on high fat food, and take some simple exercise for twenty minutes, three times a week. Going for a brisk walk instead of driving everywhere will have the desired effect, as will gentle jogging or swimming.

Best Way 2
Gym membership is becoming increasingly popular, and, as long the exercise you do is well planned, it can be extremely beneficial. Aerobic exercise has to be the focal point of your plan, otherwise you could do more harm than good. Provided you adhere to this basic rule, some anaerobic weight or resistance training can help tone up your body. This will give you more strength and vitality, and should increase your confidence.

Best Way 3
Going to see a professional nutritionist or dietician can pay off handsomely. If you go it alone, you will need to put in some serious research to make sure you are genuinely eating healthily, and many who try this find themselves discouraged by the lack of variety in their diet. It certainly doesn’t have to be that way, as there are plenty of different healthy meals which help you lose weight. Getting the advice of a professional can make the task of losing weight seem so much more enjoyable!

Best Way 4
Find a friend to train with. If you and a friend are both regularly free at the same time of day, it can make sense to train together. Having someone to help you through the times when you don’t seem to be getting anywhere can keep you in the game until the improvement suddenly appears. Having a social aspect to your exercise will help you look forward to it, and make you more likely to stick to it!

Best Way 5
Eat less food more often. Many medical practitioners now recommend eating more meals a day, with less food at each one. This is a more balanced way to take food into the body, spreading the load on the body over a far wider period of time. The system of eating three meals a day is designed far more to fit in with the working day than it is to fit in with the needs of the human body. When you eat less more often, the body absorbs more of the nutrients in the food, so your body craves fewer calories.

The best and most effective method for weight loss does depend on the individual, but follow these time tested principles and you will see results. Gresham Hypnosis Center has the right program for you, check us out!

Weight Reducton – 6 Tips For Staying Positive

Staying positive throughout the weight loss process can be difficult.

A few setbacks and you may be ready to give up. Staying motivated throughout your weight loss journey requires focus on the goal and positive thinking – but what do you do when you’re feeling less than positive about your efforts?

Use these tips to help you stay positive:

1. List Your Reasons:
List your reasons for choosing to lose weight. Whether it’s for health reasons, or simply to be able to fit into your favorite dress again – list it.

Then make several copies of the list, and place them where you’ll be able to see them regularly. Keeping your goals in front of you will help you remember why you’re doing all this in the first place.

2. Never Say Diet:
Don’t use the word diet if you can possibly avoid it. This conjures up images of deprivation, and you end up feeling sorry for yourself. Instead, tell yourself (and others) that you’re not on a diet, but that you are trying to make healthier choices.

3. Don’t Use the 3 letter “F” Word:
Avoid using the word fat when describing yourself. This includes your thoughts. Thinking about how fat you are and how bad you think you look will only bring you down and stress you out. Stress often equals eating another bag of cookies.

4. Use Positive Adjectives:
Instead, use another adjective that you prefer. Heavy, voluptuous, overweight – these all have nicer connotations than “fat” and will help you to see yourself in a more positive light.

5. Focus on the Positive:
Think about all the things you like about your body, as well. If you have great hair, for example, focus on that as you attempt to lose weight. This takes the focus off of the body parts you dislike, and helps to get rid of the stress.

6. Find a Role Model:
Instead of focusing on celebrities that are thin, find a celebrity that is larger and attractive, or one that is struggling with weight loss. This allows you to choose a realistic role model.

Positive body image can be difficult to find when you’re struggling to lose weight. Focusing on your positive mental and physical traits will help you to be comfortable in the body you have.

This allows you to work towards better health, instead of simply working to be skinnier. Overall, this is a much healthier approach to weight loss, and will help you stay positive throughout the process.

Gresham Hypnosis Center has the weight loss program that is right for you, check us out!

Are You Addicted To Food

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How can you be addicted to a substance you have to consume to stay alive? Is it possible to be addicted to food? Researchers say yes.

When scanning the brain of a food addict thinking about food, the scan shows changes nearly identical with the brain changes of a drug addict or alcoholic thinking about drinking or drugs. Most of the time the food being contemplated by the food addict is rich and calorie dense, such as pizza, chocolate cake and ice cream, or pasta with cream sauce.

Another similarity is that food addicts like drug addicts, and alcoholics, have fewer receptors for dopamine, the feel good hormone. It could be that in order to feel good, food addicts have to eat more in order to reach the same state as normal people.

Over eating leads to the brain over emphasizing the sensation and pleasure of eating by decreasing the awareness of other body parts, than the mouth. Food addicts often go through similar withdrawal symptoms like drug addicts. These symptoms include anger, depression, irritability and moodiness.

Food addiction can be controlled. Even if you’re not addicted to food the tips below can help you lose weight.

Keep a journal. Writing down what you eat and how you feel when you eat can help you pinpoint danger areas. Seeing what you’ve eaten in a 24 hour period brings home just how much of your life is controlled by food.

Know your triggers and avoid them. Certain foods are triggers to out of control eating. If you know what they are you can avoid them. Triggers can also include events, such as holidays, and people. If you know someone irritates you and your reaction is to eat, avoid that person if possible.

Focus on the food. It sounds counter productive to emphasize food when that’s all you can think about. The idea is to focus on foods that you sincerely enjoy, not just on filling up your stomach with whatever is at hand. Food addicts in some ways have it rougher than other addicts, they can’t just give up food.

Slow down when you eat. Use small plates. Put your fork down between bites. Have multiple courses rather than everything on the table or on your plate at once. Drink water between bites. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals.

Join a support group. People who are facing the same challenges as you are can provide the positive support you need. Knowing you’re not alone can boost your morale.

Don’t give up. Your first efforts at controlling food consumption might not be successful, but that doesn’t mean all your efforts will fail. See the positive progress you’ve made rather than the back sliding.

Gresham Hypnosis Center offers different programs to help you meet you weight reduction goals. Check us out.

You Really Are What You Eat

Recent dietary research has uncovered 14 different nutrient-dense foods that time and again promote good overall health.

Coined “superfoods,” they tend to have fewer calories, higher levels of vitamins and minerals, and many disease-fighting antioxidants.

Beans (legumes), berries (especially blueberries), broccoli, green tea, nuts (especially walnuts), oranges, pumpkin, salmon. soy, spinach, tomatoes, turkey, whole grains and oats, and yogurt can all help stop and even reverse diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and some forms of cancer.

And where one might have an effect on a certain part of the body, it can also affect the health of other body functions and performance, since the whole body is connected. With these 14 foods as the base of a balanced, solid diet, weight loss gimmicks and other fly-by-night programs can become a thing of the past in your life.

Conversely, the ill-effects of an unbalanced diet are several and varied. Low energy levels, mood swings, tired all the time, weight change, uncomfortable with body are just a few signs that your diet is unbalanced. An unbalanced diet can cause problems with maintenance of body tissues, growth and development, brain and nervous system function, as well as problems with bone and muscle systems.

Symptoms of malnutrition include lack of energy, irritability, a weakened immune system leading to frequent colds or allergies, and mineral depletion that can trigger a variety of health concerns including anemia.

And since the body is connected, realizing that an unhealthy body will result in an unhealthy spirit only makes sense. When we nourish our body with these superfoods and complement them with other nutrient-dense and healthy fresh foods, our spirit will be vitalized and healthy as a direct result.

Many modern diets based on prepackaged convenience foods are sorely lacking in many vitamins and minerals, which can affect our mental capacities as well, and cause irritability, confusion, and the feeling of ‘being in a fog’ all the time.

Superfoods can be the basis of a sound, healthy, nutritious solution to curing many of these ailments and more.

4 Benefits Of Losing Weight

There are many benefits to losing weight.

If you have been considering this idea, or your doctor has mentioned losing weight to you, you know it will be a lot of hard work. However, the benefits of losing weight are definitely worth the effort.

As you consider your decision to lose weight, take a look at the list of benefits below.

1. A Positive Body Image: Many overweight people struggle with their body image on a daily basis. If you are unhappy with your figure, and want to end those negative mirror sessions, losing weight may be a good option for you. Imagine feeling positive each and every time you see a photo of yourself! That’s definite motivation to lose the weight and keep it off.

2. Increased Self Confidence: If you struggle with self confidence issues due to your appearance, weight loss can be a good way to come to terms with your body. As you become strong and healthy, you’ll become confident in your abilities and strength. This is a great feeling!

3. Increased Health and Strength: As you lose weight, your body will become stronger. Exercise and weight training will help your body grow stronger – you may be able to do activities you never had the strength or stamina to before. You’ll breathe easier, and be able to run and walk for longer periods of time without discomfort. You’ll be able to play actively with your children or grandchildren without having to take breaks to catch your breath. Losing weight can truly be a life altering experience!

4. Decreased Health Problems: Many health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and diabetes are all triggered or irritated by obesity. This means that if you experience or have a family history of any of these diseases, losing weight can help you to feel better. Diet and exercise can improve your health be decreasing your risk of heart disease, as well. By altering your fitness habits and your eating habits, you just may be lengthening your life!

The benefits of weight loss definitely outweigh the risks. After all, what do you have to lose? Sleepless nights, lack of energy, shortness of breath, fatigue – you’ll be able to kick all these symptoms to the curb by investing time and energy into your fitness regime. Take the time to develop a healthy diet and exercise program today – your body will thank you for years to come.