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just a tool. But it’s a tool that
can work because it taps into
your subconscious and your
subconscious wants to help you
achieve your goals,” she said.
Once a patient is in a relaxed
state of hypnosis, McKenna can
plant messages in their mind that
are aimed at helping them learn
to eat in moderation or whatever
they need to do to lose weight.
“It’s putting these messages a
little bit more deeply than at the
conscious level. We just want
to get a person to eat normal,
or what is considered normal.
I don’t want a patient to feel
deprived but to look at things in
moderation. What we want to do
is change the mindset. You know,
‘Eat to live, not live to eat.’ Then
if the person can slow down and
enjoy the food, learn to savor
each bite, it gives the brain time
to catch up and tell him or her
they are full,” McKenna said.
McKenna said many people try
hypnosis only after other weight
loss methods haven’t worked
well. But she usually insists they
first see their regular physician
about trying hypnosis and to
make sure the weight problem
isn’t being caused by a medical
problem that should be corrected
medically or if there is a medical
problem that would get in the
way of weight loss methods.
Seeing a doctor is also
recommended by most dieticians,
including those at Methodist,
said Melton. In fact, she said,
many of her outpatient clients
are sent to Methodist on referral
from their doctor who wants
them to learn better nutrition and
how to control their weight by
improving how they eat.
“There are a lot of things that
could be the underlying cause
Amy Melton, a licensed dietician at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria,
shows some of the nutritious yet tasty breakfast foods she recommends to
outpatient clients whom she is assisting in their weight loss efforts. Melton
said a person doesn’t have to give up good taste to lose weight, but portion
control is important.
of obesity, such as a thyroid
problem or diabetes. Only your
doctor can diagnose those things,
so see your doctor first before
setting out on any diet plan,
regardless of what that plan is,”
Melton said. “Obesity itself is
starting to be more recognized
as an illness, so more insurance
companies are starting to cover
doing things to lose weight.”
From there, she said, set
realistic goals. “Start small
and be specific with each goal.
When you reach those goals,
set more. If you try to do too
much, too soon it may get to be
too much of a hassle and you’ll
drop it altogether. Then you’ve
accomplished nothing,” she said.
Like McKenna, Melton
said losing weight doesn’t
automatically mean giving up all
the foods you like. “Moderate it,
eat smaller amounts. Then you
can still eat a lot of the foods you
enjoy. You need to have variety.
You mostly need to relearn
portion control,” she said.
McKenna said commitment
is as important in losing weight
as it is in getting fit, giving up
tobacco or alcohol or a host of
other things. So is having the
support of family and friends.
Said Melton, “If you fall off
the wagon occasionally, so what?
We all do at times. Just don’t
get angry with yourself because
that’s negative. Always focus on
the positive and not just what
you see on the scale.”
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