Close your eyes youre getting thinner

By Bonnie Kim Taylor | Special to amNewYork

August 13, 2007

Does hypnosis work for weight loss? I thought I'd put it to the test by visiting The Hypnosis Center in midtown, and was surprised by the results: Yes, it works if you think it will work.

Dieting like so much else in life is a matter of finding the right mindset, and it can't hurt to have a deep male voice embedded in your subconscious that says "You don't really need that cake."

I saw Marc Carlin, a consulting hypnotist who also works with professional skiers who value mental as well as physical training. In addition to weight loss, Carlin can assist those who want to improve their golf game, stop smoking, become more successful at work, or break free of negative behaviors, addictions and thought patterns.

"Hypnosis is a tool," he explains, "Just as a hammer helps you construct something, so it is with hypnosis. It's generally quicker and easier than most other weight loss tools, but you have to be open to the possibility that it could work, or it won't."

The session lasted an hour and a half, and any doubts I had as to whether I could be hypnotized were quickly dispelled when I sunk into a deep trance in a plush leather chair in his dimly-lit office.

We all experience this trance state, especially when daydreaming or creating something. Often it's called "zoning out," and when you're in that state, you're still able to hear the radio or a dog barking, and know what's going on around you or hear Carlin's voice saying "You will have more energy, and you won't need large portions to feel full."

While I entered his office somewhat skeptical about whether this could really work; when I left, I was surprised to find that I actually did have more energy. The effects were immediate: I decided to walk the two and a half mile home after the session, and topped that off with an evening swim.

Visualization and "tethering" are added to the mix for optimal results.

Tethering is tying an object or thing to a belief, as in his recommendation for me, "whenever you see the color red, you will remember your goal." If this is true, it's hard to know it, because it operates in the subconscious.

That said, I did find myself less likely to eat large meals after the session. For weight loss, Carlin also suggested drinking water when hungry, since thirst is sometimes confused with hunger.

Other tips include taking small portions, eating very slowly and deliberately, and savoring each bite. It also helps to check and improve your rationalizations, as in "I worked hard, so I deserve to have (fill in the food treat) as a reward."

Most people have 4 to 6 sessions before they feel the difference in their lives, though the success rate will vary according to a person's desire to change.

While the cost is a little steep ($225 per session), I did fit a little less snuggly into my skinny jeans at the end of the week, though maybe I'm more susceptible to hypnotism.

For more info, visit www.PeakHypnosis.com or call 516-747-7699.