But, what exactly is hypnosis or hypnotism for weight loss?

The American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis provided the following definition in 1993: "Hypnosis is a procedure during which a health professional or researcher suggests that a client, patient, or subject experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior."

As you may have guessed, these "changes" can apply to the thoughts and behaviors you have about food.

The American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis also says this: "The hypnotic context is generally established by an induction procedure. Although there are many different hypnotic inductions, most include suggestions for relaxation, calmness, and well-being."

This "relaxation, calmness and well-being" can be used to modify those habits and thought patterns that caused you to gain weight, and once these are addressed and dealt with, you can lose the weight that is holding you back from being your very best and keeping you from enjoying your life to its fullest.

Using hypnotism for weight loss, you will be given instructions to imagine or think about pleasant experiences. Of course, people respond to hypnosis in different ways, but rest assured that hypnotism for weight loss is a positive experience; and more importantly, one that can bring about very strong results.

According to the American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis, some people describe their experience as an altered state of consciousness. Others describe hypnosis as a normal state of focused attention, in which they feel very calm and relaxed.

Regardless of how and to what degree they respond, most people describe the experience as very pleasant. Unlike the movies portrayal of hypnotism for weight loss, you will not be "lured" into a deep, deep trance-like state where you lose control over your behavior.

On the contrary, you can expect to remain in control over your behavior. You can expect to remain aware of who you are and where you are, and to remember what transpired during hypnosis for weight loss sessions.

Hypnosis makes it easier for people to experience suggestions, but it does not force them to have these experiences (according to the Executive Committee of the American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis [1993, Fall] Psychological Hypnosis: A Bulletin of Division 30, 2, p. 7.).

This said, hypnotism for weight loss is not a quick fix or a mere band-aid for a larger problem. Instead, it is a long-term solution, one that can provide you with the focus and the motivation you need to get your diet on track and keep it there.