This unusual method has its supporters and detractors, but does it really work or is it just a simple advertising gimmick?

As surprising as it may seem, Harvard Medical School has confirmed, thanks to its psychotherapist Jean Fain, that some methods used in hypnosis can help with weight loss. Far from being just a theory or a lie, there are some scientific bases that prove this method can help not only those who want to lose weight but also those who want to stay strong against the temptations of breaking their diet. Now, one needs an expert to enter the so-called trance, but what we can apply to our daily lives are some of the cardinal points of hypnosis. Here are the most important ones.

The answer lies within

The first step is to realize and accept that everything you need is within you. No pills or supplements, devices or DVDs are needed; all that is required is for you to convince yourself that the change is in you. Once you accept this, you will feel more power and determination as you will know that you have what it takes.

Be mindful of what you eat

An initial step for hypnosis therapy is to fill your mind with all the information you need about what you eat. Starting a food diary will help you record what you eat, and even if you think you won’t remember, your subconscious will have the information that will force you to eat better if on one of those days you were a bit weak.

A good mantra always helps

Repeating a phrase to yourself may sound crazy, but the reality is that if you tell yourself the same message every day for 15 minutes, your brain begins to respond with positive behavior changes. You can decide what message to give yourself; it can range from “eat better, do it for your health” to “happiness comes from eating well.” Whatever it is related to good nutrition will help implant sensitive information in your subconscious to later evolve it into actions.

Relapsing is a good thing

For many, failing the diet or even failing an exam is a sign of failure, and we stop trying. On the contrary, the brain is designed to find specific errors in our behavior and correct them; that’s how we learn to drive and speak. So when you eat one chocolate too many, see it as an opportunity, analyze what situation caused the slip-up, and retain that information to know how to avoid it next time.

Positive rewards

When you reach your ideal weight, or even better, every time you lose a couple of kilos, treat yourself to a nice dinner or indulgent meal. It’s okay; you won’t regain those two kilos from just one meal, and your mind will see it as a reward to continue the good work.

Recipes for Weight Loss

Recipe for Shrimp Ceviche with Mango

Ingredients: - 1 slice of peeled, deveined, and precooked shrimp - 2 ripe mangoes diced - 1/4 cup of finely chopped cilantro - 1/2 red onion chopped - 3 limes - tabasco sauce - piquin chilies Click here to see the procedure for preparing this recipe.

Recipe for Vietnamese Tuna Rolls

Ingredients: - rice paper - 2 cucumbers finely cut into strips - 2 tablespoons of soy sauce - 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce - 1 1/2 tablespoons of rice vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon of sugar - 1/2 small red onion finely chopped - French lettuce - 1 liter of water for boiling - 1/2 package of vermicelli noodles - 3 tuna fillets - cilantro without stems - mint - salt to taste - pepper to taste - olive oil To see how to prepare this recipe click here.

"Dare to try losing weight with hypnosis?"