A Non Surgical Weight Loss Technique That Really Works?
We know that gastric bypass surgery will change the way you think, but can changing the way that you think bypass the need for a gastric bypass? Practitioners of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) believe so, and for some celebrities, such as Denise Welch, it prompted the change that she so desperately wanted. So, let’s take a look at CBT and how it can lead to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.
Hypnotherapy is an established tool that has been used by medical practitioners throughout the years to help patients manage a whole range of both physical and psychological conditions. Cognitive behavioural therapy with hypnotherapy draws on years of hypnotherapy research and combines it with cutting edge 21st century techniques.
The aim of CBT for weight loss is to manage whatever problem you might be facing from within, by altering the way you behave and think. It can also be a powerful weapon when it comes to problems that have a habitual nature, such as smoking, teeth-grinding or unhealthy eating habits. As such, it is one of the most powerful non-surgical weight loss tools available.
What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive refers to the way we think, and behaviour is what we do, so this is a therapy that addresses how we think and act, and uses suggestion and hypnosis to literally change our mindset so that we stop bad habits and learn to live a healthier life. Sounds simple, right?
So, what does cognitive behaviour therapy and hypnotherapy actually involve? Cognitive behavioural therapy is what is known as a talking therapy and it explores present-day problems, as opposed to delving into past events or traumas. Adding hypnotherapy into the mix allows you to enter a dream-like state in which you are receptive to beneficial suggestions or directions while your conscious thoughts are suspended.
While the hypnosis part is not a prerequisite for this type of treatment, studies have found that it can significantly affect the effectiveness of the overall process.
How Is CBT Used In Weight Loss?
We all know the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but the modern world is often characterised by high levels of stress and mental activity coupled with a relatively sedentary lifestyle. These ingredients are enough to create a perfect storm leading to many of us struggling to manage our weight.
Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy can help in a whole range of ways. There is a well-worn saying about the foolhardiness of repeatedly following the same course of action and expecting different results, but this often lies at the heart of our inability to lose weight and keep it off.
The therapy can take a first principles approach to stripping everything back and identifying the root cause of your weight control problem and from there, helping you modify your thoughts, behaviour, attitudes and habits to approach eating from a new perspective.
It can also help with very specific solutions, for example if you decide to have gastric band hypnosis.
Is It Right For You?
That is a question that only you can answer. The thing about cognitive behavioural therapy is that it focuses entirely on change from within. It does not enforce any change on you as such, but helps empower you to make changes yourself. This means two things:
The first is that you need to commit to the process. The therapist will help you, but cannot do it for you, and will need your complete commitment and cooperation. The second is that this sort of weight loss therapy cannot address external problems – so if your weight management difficulties are impacted by outside issues or family members, these will need to be addressed separately.
Of course, even with cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy supporting you, you still need to know what exercise to do, what to eat and how much your body needs! So, if you have been struggling to lose weight, contact your local cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist and educate yourself on healthy eating and fitness routines, and hopefully change will soon come.