Paul McKenna - webchat Wed 15th Jan 12-1pm

Thanks you for sending in so many interesting questions today. I really appreciate you taking the time and interest in my products and if you are using any of them, I really hope you get the benefit you want from them. I've put my heart and soul into what I do. May this year bring you everything you want.

I'm off for some lunch - all this talk of weight loss has made me hungry!

noidles

What are your top tips to actually get the most out of your weight loss books/cds?

I hope this doesn't sound too simplistic, but it really is essential to follow the instructions. My products work for most people most of the time and when we talk to people the system hasn't worked for, it's almost always because they didn't follow the instructions. As long as you stick to the instructions you stand a good chance of success.

grannywonder

Do you enjoy the celebrity side of your life?

I do and I don't. You can certainly get a nice table in a restaurant if you're well known, and I find it nice to get public recognition. However at times, being well known means you're public property and it can feel invasive. However, there are different kinds of fame. The Kardashians have tabloid fame, whereas Dan Brown is probably one of the most famous and richest authors in the world, yet I couldn't tell you what he looks like. I would prefer Dan Brown's fame. However the way I've approached my job requires me to be in the public eye, I don't regret it, in fact I enjoy it. Sorry if I sound vague, but it's a bit of both.

forgetful

Why are we all so obsessed with our looks. Do you believe in the 'healthy size' index thingies we're supposed to go by?

This is a great question. Years ago the gold standard was Marilyn Monroe and by today's standards she would be plus size. Who decided that a girl should look like a little boy? I don't know, but what I do know is that less than one percent of the population has the genetics to look like a supermodel. Yet we are constantly shown airbrushed pictures in the media of these women and this isn't helped by the diet industry, or as I like to call it, the 'hate your body' industry. There are so many people these days who can have a bad day simply because the needle on their scales move in a different direction. My goal is not to just help people lose weight, but to help them feel better about themselves. There is no freedom in just losing weight.

Snoozy

Hi Paul

I've just bought one of your books but I'm not sure if I'm using the hypnosis CD correctly. When there is a different message coming through the right and left earpieces, should I concentrate on one of them or just let both "wash over me?"

Yes, I get asked this occasionally. A lot of work went into making this CD and some of the messages are for your left brain some for your right brain. Because they happen at the same time, the whole point is that you don't consciously listen to it. Just let my positive suggestions wash over you and go deep into your subconscious mind, helping you to change your relationship with food for good.

vanessas

One killer top tip for weight loss. pleeease!

If I could give you one tip, it would be this: whenever you eat anything, eat it consciously. By that I mean, slow your eating speed down by a quarter, put your knife and fork down while you chew 20 times, and get rid of any distractions, it's essential! The scientific evidence is irrefutable. If you eat and watch TV and are online, you will eat significantly more. However, when you slow your eating speed down to a quarter, focus on the food and nothing else. It might take a while to get hang of it, you'll be eating less, and because you're going slowly you'll hear the signal from your stomach. You can eat less and feel much better.

Spidergran5

Hi Paul.

My 8yo DGD appears to have an eating problem. It's not that she emotionally eats - it's that she doesn't eat. She's a very slow eater, picking up small grains, the crumbs and chips away at her meal. By the time everyone else has finished, it looks like she hasn't even touched her food. She also does this thing where she pushes it around on the plate, so it looks like she's eating it.

I think she's doing it for attention. She's relatively fine when she's at my house - I can get her to eat foods she would reject at home (my daughter just doesn't put it on her plate if she doesn't like it - so she can go days without any greens!). I also restrict stacks to only fruits, no crisps, chocolate bars etc so she's hungry for dinner.

I only have her at the weekends though, so it's limited what I can do. How can I get the parents on board? Would hypnosis work on a child? How can it be resolved before her teens, when the real problems start?

Hi Spidergran5, yes it could be the case that it's for attention. However, if her mum and dad are concerned it might be best to talk to her doctor. Yes, you can absolutely hypnotise children, in fact they're very good subjects so in this case I would recommend seeing Tina Taylor .

weevil

I am trying to learn the difference between actually being hungry and THINKING I am hungry. There are times when I just need something sweet though. How can I move away from this?

Hi weevil, this is a perfect example of emotional eating. You know you're not hungry and you just want to change the way you feel. The technique in my new book and CD will help you feel so good on the inside you won't need food to change how you feel in future. Hope that helps.

jump

How do you define emotional eating? Is there a difference between emotional eating and binge eating?

The difference between being naturally hungry and emotionally hungry is this: natural hunger comes on gradually, you'll eventually eat and be satisfied. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly, in response to stress or worry. Maybe you have a secret stash of chocolate at your desk and you have some throughout the day to compensate for stress? If you think you're an emotional eater I can recommend my new book for you. It took a year to write but 10 years to research. I really hope it works for you. Good luck.

TheGingerbreadMan

Hello Paul! I work in an office, which requires me to sit in front of a screen all day. I don't seem to find the time to leave my desk unless I'm getting a drink or going to the loo, and find myself grazing throughout the day. I'm fine when I work from home though - I have my main meals and barely any snacks! How do I stop myself from overeating in the office?

This is a common problem. The only way to lose weight is to eat less and move your body more. When it comes to exercise I don't think you need to join a gym. Because any movement at all counts as exercise. A difference between a naturally thin person and someone who is overweight is 2000 steps a day, 2000 steps is a 15 minute walk. So walk a minute here and a minute there etc. You might want to get a pedometer which is a step counter, they cost about £1. If you can get your step count up to 10,000 a day, you stand a very good chance of losing weight. And also you'll feel better. Good luck.

feliccity

I had hypnotism for panic attacks and although the practitioner was someone who had had success with a number of people I know, found that it just didn't work for me (I really wanted it to)

Why is this and how can I make myself more susceptible (if that is the right word) to any future treatment? I like the sound of your book but given my history wonder if there is any point in trying

Hi Felicity, there are two people I can recommend to you and they are Tina Taylor and Steve Crabb (websites included in an earlier post).

LilianaZg

Hi Paul. I have a problem with obesity, since i am not good in dealing with stress. a way when i start to get kg is my nervous eating. First time was when i had very bad conversation with my boyfriend, and since he was violent and tried to degrade and pronounce worse people better than me, and I gained a lot from that experience kilos.
I am still having that problem in my life, fighting for rightnesness instead to life happy life. It is important to me to be right and to be as such recognised. when things goes to that direction, i somehow starts to be in fear and am walking a lot, thinking a lot and eahing )
I know it is not good for me, but his is somehow
In few words that is my eating problem.

kind regards for your answer.
Ljiljana

Hi Lillian. You may need some one to one help - Steve Crabb or Tina Taylor. However, my new book Freedom from Emotional Eating should help you to start feeling better within yourself. Then you won't need food to improve how you feel. Good luck.

LyndaW

Hi Paul, I haven't tried one of your books before. I do have an issue with sweet things though. If there is anything that would be considered a 'treat' in the house, I can't stop myself from eating it. Sadly this means no bulk buying biscuits that are on offer just in case someone pops in for tea. Can't handle the temptation. Wish I could be one of those people who have treats in the cupboard just in case but if they're there, they're not there for very long! I imagine this is fairly common. How would you suggest I get round this?

Hi Lynda, this is a good question and one that I'm often asked. I don't have a problem with people eating sweet things (in fact all the thin people I know do - they just don't eat them to excess), so if you can't have one piece of chocolate without demolishing an entire bar, the chocolate is in charge and not you. You may well say, understandably, "but thin people have fast metabolisms" however metabolism is not fixed. The surest way to slow your metabolism down and store fat is to go on a diet. Thats why 70% of people who've been on diets gain more weight when they come off the diet than when before they went on it. I really think my system would help you -particularly the craving buster.