fithelere (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} fithelere) wrote,@ 2008-02-21 12:22:00 |
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Observations on my Hypnosis Work
Since I started studying hypnosis, I've been so busy doing hypnosis for other people that I really haven't had much chance to do it for myself. But two weeks ago, I scripted and then recorded a session for myself, which I have used consistently, at least five days a week, since then. The session focuses on eating smaller portions of food by encouraging me to be very calm while eating, to savor my food, and feel full and satisfied with small to normal portions, rather than the huge amounts I used to eat. The recording even includes seeing myself ordering a meal in a restaurant and asking for a to-go box at the same time; half the meal is to go in the box.
Sooo, my results? I now feel absolutely buffet-stuffed after eating a Jumbo Jack (no fries). I remember when I used to down two of them at a sitting, with fries. I went to Freebird burritos yesterday and could barely finish their standard burrito; next time, I'm getting the "Half-Bird." When I have soup at home, I'm stopping after one bowl instead of getting seconds because it tastes so good. (Joyce makes really good soup. Mmmmm, wife soup.) I had to put a half-empty bowl of picante sauce in the fridge the other day, because I really couldn't eat another bite. I turned down a second slice of avocado a few days ago. Avocado! Also, it takes me about twice as long to eat anything as it used to, which is great. I'm taking smaller bites (even though that wasn't specifically mentioned in the session) and really enjoying my food, rather than wolfing it down the way I used to. I'm staying full longer, also.
Yeah, this might sound like nothing to those of you who have been light eaters all your lives. But I was the guy who could always down another bite, and usually did. So it's amazing to be turning into a light eater.
But I've found some secondary results as well. For one thing, I've learned a lot about hypnosis, from practical things like how to improve my recordings to general things like how it feels to react to a post-hypnotic suggestion. (When I was getting out bread to make a sandwich last week and debating about whether I wanted one sandwich or two, a voice in my head quoted the hypnosis session, saying, "One sandwich is better than two.") I've learned that in the early stages of habit change, some conscious effort is needed to encourage/remember the new habit, but it becomes easier and eventually effortless.
Another interesting secondary result has been that I feel great. Now, there are suggestions in the session for feeling great when the session is done, and I've found that listening to it first thing in the morning makes me feel energized most of the day. But I think there's more at work than just that. A person who meditates for half an hour a day will experience all kinds of benefits, including increased energy, happiness, and a sense of wellbeing. Even knowing this, I've never been able to get myself to meditate on a regular basis. Scholars have shown that the hypnotic state and the meditative state are extremely similar, possibly identical. So in addition to responding to the hypnotic suggestions I'm giving myself, I'm also getting the benefits of regular meditation. Considering that I was in an inexplicably bad mood for several weeks before I started this program, I'm really amazed at the difference.
In other news, I've had lots of great feedback from people I've worked with. One says that she feels so energetic that she's hardly sleeping, but not feeling tired. One who asked for help with procrastination emailed me to say that the day after her session was the most productive she's ever had. One client has raved so much to my teacher that we are considering selling recordings based on that session.
Since I started studying hypnosis, I've been so busy doing hypnosis for other people that I really haven't had much chance to do it for myself. But two weeks ago, I scripted and then recorded a session for myself, which I have used consistently, at least five days a week, since then. The session focuses on eating smaller portions of food by encouraging me to be very calm while eating, to savor my food, and feel full and satisfied with small to normal portions, rather than the huge amounts I used to eat. The recording even includes seeing myself ordering a meal in a restaurant and asking for a to-go box at the same time; half the meal is to go in the box.
Sooo, my results? I now feel absolutely buffet-stuffed after eating a Jumbo Jack (no fries). I remember when I used to down two of them at a sitting, with fries. I went to Freebird burritos yesterday and could barely finish their standard burrito; next time, I'm getting the "Half-Bird." When I have soup at home, I'm stopping after one bowl instead of getting seconds because it tastes so good. (Joyce makes really good soup. Mmmmm, wife soup.) I had to put a half-empty bowl of picante sauce in the fridge the other day, because I really couldn't eat another bite. I turned down a second slice of avocado a few days ago. Avocado! Also, it takes me about twice as long to eat anything as it used to, which is great. I'm taking smaller bites (even though that wasn't specifically mentioned in the session) and really enjoying my food, rather than wolfing it down the way I used to. I'm staying full longer, also.
Yeah, this might sound like nothing to those of you who have been light eaters all your lives. But I was the guy who could always down another bite, and usually did. So it's amazing to be turning into a light eater.
But I've found some secondary results as well. For one thing, I've learned a lot about hypnosis, from practical things like how to improve my recordings to general things like how it feels to react to a post-hypnotic suggestion. (When I was getting out bread to make a sandwich last week and debating about whether I wanted one sandwich or two, a voice in my head quoted the hypnosis session, saying, "One sandwich is better than two.") I've learned that in the early stages of habit change, some conscious effort is needed to encourage/remember the new habit, but it becomes easier and eventually effortless.
Another interesting secondary result has been that I feel great. Now, there are suggestions in the session for feeling great when the session is done, and I've found that listening to it first thing in the morning makes me feel energized most of the day. But I think there's more at work than just that. A person who meditates for half an hour a day will experience all kinds of benefits, including increased energy, happiness, and a sense of wellbeing. Even knowing this, I've never been able to get myself to meditate on a regular basis. Scholars have shown that the hypnotic state and the meditative state are extremely similar, possibly identical. So in addition to responding to the hypnotic suggestions I'm giving myself, I'm also getting the benefits of regular meditation. Considering that I was in an inexplicably bad mood for several weeks before I started this program, I'm really amazed at the difference.
In other news, I've had lots of great feedback from people I've worked with. One says that she feels so energetic that she's hardly sleeping, but not feeling tired. One who asked for help with procrastination emailed me to say that the day after her session was the most productive she's ever had. One client has raved so much to my teacher that we are considering selling recordings based on that session.
