Hypnosis

[CanadianMom]

Any one every use hypnosis to quit smoking or lose weight?

I want to try and quit but don't want to gain the weight; I've quit twice before for 2 and 3 years but each time I've gain 30 plus pounds and havn't lost any of it so I was thinking maybe I could kill two birds with one stone.

tia

[chasd60]

I haven't done it but I know of people that have and quit smoking successfully.
 
The weight gain occurs when you break the addiction but not the habit. You may have broken the habit of smoking but not the habit of satisfying emotions or boredom. You use cigarettes to satisfy those emotions or feelings.
 
I know, been there done that. Quit a little over 5 years ago and paid attention to my eating habits after quitting. Boredom was the most common reason for me to eat when I normally would smoke. I used to use a cigarette as a means to keep myself awake while driving home from work. Not that I fall asleep now but I do notice what filled that gap before.
 
Good luck and maybe start a journal now of what you eat and compare it to what you eat after you quit. Using candy to satisfy the smoking urge isn't a great idea either. Forces a different habit.

[griffsmom]

I agree with what Chas said. I'm not a smoker, but I have a habit of chewing gum on my drive home, which in So Cal can be quite an adventure!!  When I don't have any gum, I am very aware of how I use it to occupy my time spent in traffic.
 
 When I met my DH, he was a smoker. I told him that he was wonderful in every way, but the smoking had to go. It was one of the hardest things he has ever done, but he did it, and I'm so proud of him. Congratulations to you to decide to stop smoking--especially for the health benefits that go along with quitting smoking! Just remember--you can do this!!! I wish you the best of luck!! Let us know how you do--we'll be rooting for you!:)

[Calstate361]

I had a friend that used it to loose weight.   It worked for her for a while, then she went back to her old habits and gained the weight back plus more.   I guess it is all in your mind set.   GOOD LUCK

 
Joan

[endless horizons]

Congrats on your decision to stop smoking.  I agree with all that has been said. Smoking is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. There has been research done comparing the addiction of smoking to cocaine. It is that powerful. With that being said you are in for a fight, but it is a fight that you can win especially when it really is something YOU WANT to give up. I have known many co-workers over the years who have attempted and conquered both quitting smoking and weight loss. The one who conquered made a total lifestyle change.
One of them actyually acted like she moved to a new town and her job required her to quit and join the gym. She cleaned out the house of everything associated with smoking: ash trays etc. stopped taking her smoking break and read a book at her desk instead. She cleaned out her home of all junk type snack foods. She planned all her meals and stuck to the grocery list while shopping. She made an (appointment) to the gym everyday. She started out walking in the water and riding a bike. She thought of it as overtime and the payout would be over the top.  She stopped hanging around the other smokers because they were the least supportive. She made arrangements to enter the building through the back so she could bypass her old hangout.
I was so proud of her because I could see all of this was not easy but she had already won the battle in her head. She was determind to change her life.
She rewarded herself every month with a small chocolate cake she shared with her family. Big enough that there wouldn't be any left overs.  During potlucks or birthday parties she would sit with the women who did not over eat and would not have seconds. She did have the patches at home just in case she whimped out.
Well she hung in there and did it. It took her about 6 months to be able to not have the cravings for smoking but she over came the urge. As far as her weight she stayed at the same weight for 4 months then she strated to lose it. Slow but she lost 75 lbs in one year and conquered smoking. When people asked her how she did it she said "I replaced the cigaretts with excersize, yes I'm an excersize junkie!" "replaced the empty thoughts (boredom) with motivational books"  "I challenge myself to find the best restaurants with the best food for me as a reward"  "Now I eat for the flavor and not the comfort"
Even before she lost all the weight we could tell she was healthier and stronger. She was no longer when going up the stairs and actually beat many of us "skinny chicks" And her love life? Well lets say her husband and her had lots of fun.
I hope her story inspires you. Good luck and go conquer!

[Gone-Camping]

I quit smoking 7 years ago, was up to nearly 3 packs a day. Went cold turkey...All ya gotta do is get a good solid case of pnuemonia, from there you can barely breath air let alone try to smoke. After nearly suffocating for 3 weeks, when I could finally breath again I had already convinced myself that I was over the hump and would never have another one again.
 
I did gain weight too, over 50 pounds. I managed to loose 40 of those pounds on a modified Adkins Diet, but have gained it all back again. ***sigh***

[ShirleyT]

I am trying to quit smoking but I didn't feel I have the will power to do so on my own. I have started taking Wellbutrin to help. I am not sure how this helps but I have heard it does. I was told to take 1 pill for 7 days then 2 pills for 7 days then stop smoking, and continue to take 2 pills a day. I haven't finished my second week of pills yet (that comes in about 2 days!!) so I don't know how it is working. Will keep ya posted!

[HersheyGirl]

I know what you mean about gaining weight after quitting smoking.  I quit 21 years ago and gained about 25 pounds.  It has been a real battle since.  But...even with the wight gain, my health is much better than still smoking. Keep that in mind as you quit.  One thing that I noticed after I quit was that food tasted so much better!  But anyway, as you know, you have to want to do this for yourself, so you need to take care of your self.  Have you tried those patches and other aides?  I hear that they help alot.  I went cold turkey and it was so darn hard, in fact, the hardest thing I ever have done.  Good luck and hope that you can do this without gaining the weight, but if you do, you will still be better off, health wise.  Take care.

[campingboaters]

While I haven't used hypnosis to quit smoking or lose weight, I did use hypnosis for Child Birth, so I know how it works.  Hypnosis is a wonderful thing and puts you in touch with so much more of your senses and thoughts.  
 
 I think the biggest thing in finding a Hypno-therapist is finding one that has a voice you can listen to.  If their voice gets on your nerves, you'll have a hard time in the beginning listening and learning the techniques. My Hypno-therapist was a friend and has the calmest, warmest voice you could only hope for in a therapist.  Make sure you look for some credentials  -- especially any courses they may have taken.  My friend is always traveling to NYC to keep up his skill and also help teach others.
 
 What also worked for me, is I found a message board specifically for Hypno-birthing (as it's called).  I was able to find "scripts" of hypnosis sessions that I tailored to my needs and recorded in my voice.  The important thing is to keep a slow pace and clam tones.  My hypnotherapist said it's actually a great thing to listen to your own voice as that's what you hear inside your head anyway.
 
 I'm not sure how it works with smoking cessation or weight loss, but I needed to listen to my hypnosis tapes each night to build up the skills required in childbirth.  
 
 Well, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.  Otherwise, good luck!

[chasd60]

I am trying to quit smoking but I didn't feel I have the will power to do so on my own. I have started taking Wellbutrin to help. I am not sure how this helps but I have heard it does. I was told to take 1 pill for 7 days then 2 pills for 7 days then stop smoking, and continue to take 2 pills a day. I haven't finished my second week of pills yet (that comes in about 2 days!!) so I don't know how it is working. Will keep ya posted!

I used the Welbutrin SR when I quit. It does nothing for the cravings but it takes the edge off so you aren't so hard to live with while you are quitting. When I tried to quit without it, I wasn't successful. My nasty attitude due to the withdrawal was too much for me to put my family through. I believe the most successful method is Welbutrin SR in conjunction with the patch. Welbutrin SR has no nicotine so it isn't doubling up.
I had both prescribed and never used the patch, just the Welbutrin.
 
Another note on the patch.
If you get it prescribed you will only have to pay whatever copay you have on your insurance.

[CanadianMom]

I used the Welbutrin SR when I quit. It does nothing for the cravings but it takes the edge off so you aren't so hard to live with while you are quitting. When I tried to quit without it, I wasn't successful. My nasty attitude due to the withdrawal was too much for me to put my family through. I believe the most successful method is Welbutrin SR in conjunction with the patch. Welbutrin SR has no nicotine so it isn't doubling up.
I had both prescribed and never used the patch, just the Welbutrin.
 
Another note on the patch.
If you get it prescribed you will only have to pay whatever copay you have on your insurance.

Did you use Wellbutrin and the patch?

[ForestCreature]

Tammy, I have quit using the patch, and am attempting to now without the patch....yes cold turkey :yikes:.  Far as I can tell it dosen't feel an different with or without the patch, either way it's just as hard :swear:  ... without the patch is more comfortable for me, I got itchy rashes from the adhesive. The thing I noticed last time using the patch is when it was time to stop using the patch I went thru all that nicotine withdrawl a second time...  that's why this time no patch, I'm not going thru that twice in one quit!
 
  Good luck with what ever method you decide on.

[CanadianMom]

Glad to hear things are still on track Marcy!