brain-train Newsletter June 2007

Does Weight Loss Hypnosis Really Work?

We're creatures of habit and that goes for weight loss as well as other things. A lot of people have a habit of trying to lose weight at the start of the year, probably for about two weeks while their New Year resolutions are still in effect. Others will go for a crash weight loss for a couple of weeks before they are due to appear on the beach for their summer vacation.

Does weight loss hypnosis really work? This is a question that often gets asked. After all, if weight loss self-hypnosis really worked then everyone who used it would be walking around, super slim. And probably bragging about how easy it was to lose weight with self-hypnosis.

Does this happen?

Yes, but not in every instance. The usual problem is the person using the self-hypnosis for their weight loss goals, not with the hypnosis itself.

The trouble we experience as humans is that we are often distracted. Which means that we start out with the best intentions, such as "I'm going to lose 20 pounds in the next two months using weight loss self-hypnosis" and then real life gets in the way. Maybe we're invited out for a meal with friends and it would be rude to refuse the food they have created for us. Or we go to a party a have a few more drinks and snack than we planned.

It's actually in these kinds of scenarios where weight loss self-hypnosis can really work wonders. The hypnosis session works its way into your subconscious mind. With regular use, you will find yourself making the right kind of eating decisions more often. But you need to use self-hypnosis regularly.

A lot of the people who tell you that weight loss self-hypnosis doesn't really work are the people who have bought a hypnosis track, listened to it once and then declared that nothing happened.

The truth is that you need to use a weight loss self-hypnosis program more than just once for it to really work. Once a day for two weeks followed by once every couple days for the next month, and then once a week until you've reached your desired weight. If you can do that, you will lose weight with hypnosis. Even if you only manage to listen to the program once a day for a couple of weeks, you'll notice a difference.

Food Addiction

Since so many of us are turning to food to combat our stress, it may be hard to recognise a food addiction versus normal "snacking."

After spending nine long hours at work, Anne is frazzled. After picking her kids up from day care and throwing something together for dinner, she's depressed and angry at the turn her life has taken. It seems as if every day has turned into one long series of work and errands, and once evening sets in so does her depression.

Once the kids are finally off to bed she heads for the kitchen to relax and have a snack. Time slips by quickly, and she spends the next two hours eating junk food she keeps hidden in the pantry. Once she'd done, just like every night, she feels sick with guilt. She knows she has a problem but she can't seem to stop. Every month she gains more and more weight, but eating is the only time she feels better.

Situations just like this happen every day all across the country. Although food addiction is much more common than 30 years ago, it's an epidemic that's also killing us.

The numbers are so high they're almost mind-numbing. According to the Centres for Disease Control, 65% of Scots are overweight or obese, and our children are facing the same epidemic. Over 19% of children today are overweight, and that number is climbing higher each year. For the first time in 100 years life expectancy is predicted to go down, thanks in large part to Britain's food addiction and the various health complications that come with it. Diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, and more than 25 other conditions have been linked to obesity. We're literally eating ourselves to death, and bringing our children along with us.

We shouldn't be surprised, really. We're stressed out, time starved, and watching our health and holiday benefits slide down the tube. With as little time as most people have these days, companies make it almost too easy to self-medicate with food. Drive-thru restaurants are everywhere and meals-in-a-box fill the supermarket shelves, laden with empty calories and tasty goodness. We watch over 40,000 commercials per year, and many of those are for fast food restaurants, soft drinks, and snacks.

Since so many of us are turning to food to combat our stress, it may be hard to recognise a food addiction versus normal "snacking." Compulsive overeaters often lose control when they're eating, going on "binges" that can last hours. The average food addict is 60% overweight, and practices no form of weight-control. If you're worried you might be a compulsive overeater, asking yourself the following questions will help clarify the problem:

Have I tried and failed to control my eating before?
Do I binge-eat, especially when I'm feeling angry or sad?
Do I hide food?
Do feel guilty when I'm done eating?
Do I think about eating even when I'm not hungry?
Do I eat until I feel sick?

A "yes" to any of these questions can point to the more serious problem of food addiction, especially if you are overweight or obese.

The problem, while bad for us, is even worse for our children. The CDC estimates that instances of childhood obesity have tripled in the past 30 years in school-aged children. They are also less likely to have a healthy adulthood. Another study shows overweight or obese children have an 80% likelihood of being obese once they reach 25.

While the numbers are sobering, there are proactive steps you can take if you, your child, or someone you know is addicted to food.

Joining a support group such as Overeaters Anonymous or Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous will put you in touch with others who are going through the same thing. Having someone to talk to is especially important when you're on the path to recovery. You might also consider seeking one-on-one therapy. Uderstanding the emotional triggers to overeating is the first step to understanding the problem.

Another important step you can take is to get active. Instead of thinking about food, doing something active instead will keep your attention off eating.

Many people have the mistaken idea that exercise has to be sweaty and intense. Doctors stress that this isn't so. Activity of any kind will offer health benefits and burn calories. Things like housework, gardening, and walking the dog, often looked at as "chores" and many times are outsourced to service providers, are great ways to get moving. So cancelling your cleaning service will not only save you money but will also help you get in shape.

It's also important to limit the amount of sugary drinks and sugar laden foods you keep in the house. If your children come home to an empty house they'll reach for these first, so make sure they have a wide variety of healthier choices. That limitation will also work for you. If there is nothing sugary in the house to binge on, you're less likely to do it.

Lots of families today spend hours in front of the TV, either watching mindlessly or playing video games. Limit you and your child's screen time to an hour per day or less. If you're worried about them watching while you're at work, make it impossible by taking the power cords with you everyday. They can't watch if the TV won't work. Instead of watching, play games, read, or go outside and play.

While it may seem overwhelming at first, positive changes to food addiction can be made. Combating a sedentary lifestyle and increasing awareness about food choices will help both you and your children live a longer, healthier life.

Experience the holiday of a lifetime…

We have the last few places available for our amazing manifestation school in Portugal from the 10th to the 16th of June.

This holiday is something special. It allows you to step out of your normal lifestyle and relax in the beauty of a wonderful spa in a secluded valley in Portugal. During your vacation Dawn and Tom will assist you in defining what you want out of life, and work with you each day to install that vision at an unconscious level.

There will also be plenty of time to relax and have fun. We are excited as the people booked on so far are a cool bunch. Along with meditation and relaxing by the pool, there will be the option of trips to the beach, meals and nights out at the local resort.

Please visit www.brain-training.co.uk for further information and details of how to book.

Hurry half price offer!!! A very special introduction to NLP…

On the 4th and 5th of August we are hosting an incredible introduction to NLP. For the first time, we will introduce you to the key patterns developed by co-creators of NLP, Dr. Richard Bandler and Dr. John Grinder.

We will then look at the most up to date patterns developed by these two men since they split and went their separate ways. You will learn the latest change techniques from installing motivation, to changing feelings quickly, to harnessing the power and insight of the unconscious mind.

Places are going fast for this event so book now and receive your place at half price the original cost if booked and paid for before 2nd July 2007.

Please visit www.brain-training.co.uk for further information and details of how to book.

Learn the ‘life blood’ of NLP – True NLP Modelling…

As part of our Advanced course series, we are presenting a two-day workshop on True NLP Modelling.

You will learn the same modelling format as used by Richard Bandler and John Grinder to model the great psychotherapists, Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, and Milton Erickson that led to the creation of NLP. We are teaching true physiologic modelling not strategy elicitation. Physiologic modelling is a whole different animal and captures something of the deeper structure of the individual being modelled.

During the seminar you will model live therapy sessions from seasoned therapists, plus have the opportunity to model the greats such as Bandler and Erickson from DVD footage.

Special offer – Book before 2nd July 2007 and receive a substantial discount.

Please visit www.brain-training.co.uk for further information and details of how to book.

An Introduction to ‘A Course in Miracles’

A one day workshop with John Campbell

Date: Saturday 21st July 2007

Venue: Carlton Hotel, Edinburgh

Investment £125

John will give a background to the history of ‘A Course in Miracles’ and explain how this spiritual masterpiece came into his life and why he became an avid student of the Course.

With fascinating anecdotes of his own spiritual journey from his book ‘Addicts and Angels – A Smuggler’s Voyage to Enlightenment’ you will get a basic understanding of the Course and experience some of its powerful lessons.

This is not for the ‘fainthearted’ or those who like their spirituality heavy and humourless. Come prepared to have fun and learn how you can finally get to go Home!

Location: The fabulous Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK ( map). Experience Edinburgh, a beautiful historic city full of culture, energy and life. For those attending from a distance, we can offer a substantial discount with this luxury hotel and an array of quaint B&B's.

Hours: 9.30am – 5pm.

Course Size: Course generally restricted in size to 25 people to guarantee the quality of the training and individual attention, so seats will be allocated on a first-come basis.

Trainer: JOHN CAMPBELL

Educational Researcher and Public Speaker, John Campbell has recovered from a life of addiction to alcohol to realise the innocence within him and all humanity. A visionary, writer, and inspirational speaker on education, business and government in the new world whose passion now is to transform education and business into ‘fun’ experiences for all those involved so that they may become self empowered and free of victim consciousness.

The first stage of this is to introduce The KPM Approach to Children into the UK and raise the awareness of this educational approach all over the world. Prior to making his dramatic life changes in 1997, he was formerly a sea captain in the Merchant Navy where he obtained his first command at the age of 26 years. He started his own business by buying his first ship at the age of 37 and went on to co-create a multi million pound oil and shipping business.

In 1997 his addiction to alcohol and risk taking in a very corrupt business brought him to his knees and he voluntarily entered Broadway Lodge, a treatment facility in Weston Super Mare. During his time in treatment John experienced a deep spiritual awakening and after the 7 weeks residential stay he removed himself from his corrupt oil and shipping business and commenced his journey of self discovery.

Having been CEO of this company, he came out of treatment and bought a Hackney Carriage licence and drove a cab from Haywards Heath Station while he went to college to study psychology, therapeutic counselling and various other new ideas. He later qualified as an NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist He also qualified as an Angel Therapy Practitioner having been trained by Dr. Doreen Virtue, PhD. He is a former Vice Chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and maintains his interest in the sport. He has six children and has a home in Sussex and in Vancouver.

His first book, ‘Addicts and Angels – A Smuggler’s Voyage to Enlightenment’- is due to be published in July 2007. In this book he charts his life journey beginning as the youngest child of an abusive, alcoholic mother who ‘hi-jacked’ him to take care of her from the age of 7. She also modelled to him stealing and fraud and he became her accomplice as she took him shop lifting in the Lanes in Brighton when he should have been at school. He goes on to show how, unconsciously, we repeat the patterns, or do exactly the opposite, of the parent we feel most aggrieved with (We also attract them as our partners!!!). This is an unconscious attempt to gain their love and approval….’Now Mummy/Daddy you see I am just like you/just the opposite to you – now will you love me?’ John led a life of corruption and fraud, smuggling whisky into Saudi Arabia and oil into South Africa during the embargoes.

The incredible turn around in John’s life in 1997 is an amazing story and an inspiration to anyone who maybe locked into guilt because of their past behaviours. His book also shows how most people in prison are acting out on society in loyalty to their family of origin patterns as described above. He was finally led to ‘A Course in Miracles’ and ‘The Disappearance of The Universe’ and has become an avid student of the Course. He delivers inspirational and humorous workshops introducing this spiritual concept to those who are drawn to the work and who feel ready to start looking at, and releasing their un-conscious guilt. www.theangelproject.org

TESTIMONIALS

“John has a rare gift to actually affect a great deal of change in the world”. – Tim Laurence, author of ‘You Can Change your Life’-A future different from your past with The Hoffman Process

“Visionary and passionate, John Campbell walks his eloquent talk. His inspirational voice will surely help lift education to the next evolutionary level.” - Maurice Taylor and Seana McGee, psychotherapists and co-authors of "The New Couple" published by HarperCollins

“John is one of those amazingly wise people. If you are fortunate enough to encounter him in your life you can consider yourself truly blessed.”-Neil Crofts – Author of ‘Authentic’ How to make a living by being yourself’ and of ‘Authentic Business’ – How to start and run your Authentic Business published by Capstone

“John has a unique and gentle way of disturbing the comfortable and comforting the disturbed with an ocean of love” David Riddel – Company Director