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

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?

I am an emotional eater who loves good food and find it very hard to break the cycle of overeating. Looking back I have been this way for most of my adult life. The more I eat the worse I feel so the more I eat – oh yes, I’m sure that sounds familiar. My weight does yo-yo although I know how much better I feel, physically and emotionally when I have lost weight. For me it’s not necessary that I don’t know what I need to do, it’s the doing it, the hardest part of a lot of things! I must say I am cynical that the answer can be found in a book though would love to be proved wrong. I worked as part of a community mental health team for 23 years until I retired last year and I think that is part of the reason for my cynicism. For me it’s not necessary that I don’t know what I need to do, it’s the doing it! I will log in on Wednesday in the hope that I can be convinced otherwise. Please CONVINCE me Paul.

Hynotist (I noticed) that should be 'refresher hypnosis sessions'

Paul, thank you for coming to chat to GNetters.

Some time ago I bought your weight loss CD for my daughter and I (I needed to lose a bit of weight and she was desperate to lose some weight). I honestly can't remember whether or not it worked for me, and I know my daughter has gone on to try other things (e.g. eating less of certain foods and exercising more!) I wonder whether weight loss by hypnosis is just like other methods where people 'yo-yo' in and out - e.g. slimming programmes where people sign up, relapse, and sign up again. Or put another way - do you need 'refresher' hynotist sessions?

I am interested in the concept of emotional eating though, I know I do it so will read with interest.

Paul, I got your book yesterday and have tried some of the exercises on the CD and DVD. I have used your CDs for relaxation and they work for me, so I'm optimistic about losing weight. Can you give me some advice about sugar addiction, please? Is there something that can be done subconsciously to break the habit of a lifetime?

I have been a fussy eater all my life and would love to be able to enjoy a much wider range of foods. It may sound a trivial problem but it has all sorts of impacts on my life. I have missed out on going to dinner with friends (sometimes even feigning illness at the last minute) and such like because I am embarrassed to admit that there isn't much I like and don't want them to have to go to the trouble of cooking something different just for me. I have never been abroad because I am worried that I wouldn't be able to eat the local food leading to more embarrassment. It seems to be more about texture than taste in my case. Is it possible to hypnotise someone to enable them to enjoy all types of food?

I have a friend who used hypnosis to make her believe she had a gastic band fitted. It worked for her and she lost all the weight she wanted to, and listens to a CD if, and when necessary, to keep her on track. I have always been fascinated by the subject of hypnosis but sceptical and convinced that I would not succumb to a hypnotist trying to put me into a trance, or whatever is they do. Do you think anyone can be hypnotised, even me ?? [Hmm]

I'm a qualified medical hypnotherapist, and as such am very against the use of hypnotism for entertainment purposes!
Would you like to comment?

I may be a cynic but can hypnotism REALLY help me? I know so many people who have been hypnotized and it hasn't done a thing other than cost them a lot of money. Why is this? Sorry to sound so cynical - perhaps you could come and change my view on this by a personal visit?! lol

I'd forgotten about Paul's CD's!

The best way to get a power nap during the day is a Paul McKenna cd [the stop smoking one is the best for that]. A few minutes into it and I'm away with the fairies, only to wake up at the end feeling as if I've had hours of sleep. Although I did used to wake up and have a cigarette when I was using it to stop doing so [I have stopped now]. I haven't tried any of the other ones but would like to know which would be the best one to stop me being a worrier.

Quite a few years a I had a course of hypnotherapy for bad eczema, which worked (after having tried all the medical alternatives, inc. a referral to a consultant dermatologist) my therapist has since retired and most others are quite a distance away.

I would like to give hypnotherapy a try for some other things, and was wondering how effective books can be? I know you have published some, but can they really be as effective as face to face sessions?

Are there some people who it is impossible to hypnotise? Some years ago I went to a hypnotist for help with my insomnia. It didn't work! She told me at the end of a session I should feel very relaxed but I never did. My muscles were always tense even though I tried to relax. I confess to being something of a control freak - is it possible for someone to unconsciously "fight" the hypnosis to the extent they never "go under".