Hypnosis turns Ideas into Action!
Have you resolved to be healthy?! Don’t wait for New Year’s, do it NOW!
Now is the perfect time to embrace that healthier lifestyle, let go of the extra pounds — hypnotherapy works! Hey, Seattle area, discover for yourself the proven ways to change your life and become the person you want to be. I did! Hypnotism absolutely works for weight loss and weight management, healthy eating, healthy choices, healthy habits, motivation to exercise, all manner of positive changes for your new slender life.
That’s right! The photographs on the left are me from a few years ago–pre hypnosis, and me, lighter.
Call me for a FREE private in-office consultation. Clinical Hypnotherapist, Connie Brannan, CHt!
Call now: (425) 564-8608 Email: Contact us
“I blogged!” Read some of my musings that I’ve shared on my blog on my own (successful) adventures in weight loss. Several articles / posts are below. I’m enjoying my life in a different body nowadays, and here are some personal stories and insights and tips I’ve shared, as well as some of my client’s success stories. The full 9 years of blogging is be found here: http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/hypnotizer
Risky Food Choices
A Scary story today on Yahoo: “Could French Fries Be Killing You? This study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a linkage between death risk and frequency of eating french fries. Wow. We all knew junk food is bad for you, but this takes it to a whole new level. The good news: we can change what and how we eat. Hypnosis! This is what I’ve done for myself. No french fries in years. Hypnosis can vanish cravings. If you’re in the Seattle area and want help to stop unhealthy eating and live a better, longer life: http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/hypnosis-results-testimonials-index/weight-loss-hypnosis-seattle/
Losing Weight is Your Fountain of Youth
Hi, My Seattle Area (and beyond) Hypnosis Friends!
In a world obsessed with youthful appearance, here’s more evidence to prove something we’ve all suspected: being overweight makes you look older. Overweight adds years to your appearance. And of course, it makes you feel older, slower, and creakier, with less energy.
On Facebook, I found this very cool program from Microsoft, and I immediately stated playing with it. “How Old Do I Look?” It’s an age old question (pun) filled with appeal. We all want to know that!
It kind of reminds me of the old carnival barkers who would guess your weight or age, only more scientific! Here, you plug in any pics of yourself, and the facial recognition algorithms estimate your age. In Microsoft’s formal lingo: “Part of Microsoft Project Oxford, Face APIs provide state-of-the-art algorithms to process face images, like face detection with gender and age prediction, recognition, alignment and other application level features.”
In the pictures of me above, one heavier, one thinner, you can see what the age-detecting-robot thought. Heavier is seen as older! In truth the thinner picture is two years older than the other pic. The algorithm says: the same face thinner looks younger! And I agree!
Ladies (and men) of a certain age are doing whatever they can to keep a young, vibrant, youthful appearance–for better relationships, for business success, for everyday walking around in the world. They may choose to go under the knife, and get a facelift, or they may color away their gray hair, or they may resort to botox injections to erase lines and wrinkles.
How about a healthy alternative for a youthful face? Lose weight! Nothing glows YOUTH like health–and thinner is healthier.
I know what you’re thinking. But, but, but, it’s hard to lose weight. What if it wasn’t hard? What if there were an easy way to focus your mind and change your body and reclaim your youthful appearance? There is. It’s called…wait for it…HYPNOSIS! There are numerous motivations for change. My clients tell me what they want by way of losing weight, and looking younger is absolutely on the list.
Let’s do it. The clock is ticking. Call me and we’ll get started: (425) 564-8608 Come on out to Bellevue for your free consultation. I help people lose weight, that’s one of my prime areas of expertise. You can check out either of my websites for more info: http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net and http://www.loseweightseattle.com.
Here’s to a healthy, happy, youthful life!
All the Best,
Connie
Activating Weight Loss Tips with Hypnosis
Mindworks Hypnosis for your healthy eating strategy.
I’d like to share this great healthy eating article I found on the internet. It’s a set of weight loss tips. Now, it’s my belief that people in the “weight loss struggle” really DO know how to lose weight. They know the formula: eat less, choose healthy, and be more active. They just don’t activate them.
That’s where hypnosis comes in. Hypnosis turns ideas into action.
Here is a link to the article. These tips are good advice for weight loss. However, rarely is advice alone enough to make it happen. You need the mindset of success. The you need the focus, and drive, the determination and motivation. You need the “go for it.” You need the tenacity. ”Stay with it.” Re-shaping your body can be a lengthy process, and you need to be in it to win it for the long haul. That’s where hypnosis shines. You need the “no way” automated response attached to unhealthy foods and overeating. That’s where hypnosis is magic. You need the “I’m making time for me” directed choice to become more active physically. That’s where hypnosis helps.
Hypnosis does help!
Having a plan (advice and tips and understanding food choices and nutrition), that’s all well and good. Making those choices reality on an ongoing daily basis, that’s a REAL plan for success. Call me and we’ll talk about the power of your mind to do just that.
Body Image Reality Check
Model after photo shop digital manipulation.
Hi, Hypno-Friends!
There’s an expression: the camera doesn’t lie. I maintain that, yes, it does! I found this video being shared on the internet the other day. It shows a model’s before and after pic. Before, how she really looks in her photo shoot, and after photoshop digital manipulation of the image.
This video from 2012 has recently gone “viral” as they say, with millions of new views. A mom showed it to her daughter to make her aware that the glamour and fashion industry’s images we are bombarded with daily are not REAL bodies. And she shared it on the internet.
Here’s the video: http://youtu.be/wA331SpzYy4
Wow. Longer hair, mouth enlarged, eyes enlarged, legs, arms, neck lengthened, sizes removed, butt contoured, skin color changed…I guess the photo-shopper found NOTHING attractive about this woman to begin with?
This is part of the battle we face in weight management hypnotherapy work as well. So many women come in my door toting a sense of “not good enough” and a very negative self image and inner barrage of negative self talk. This originates from a skewed view of what is “beautiful” and “normal” based on, well… lies. Images such as this create an impossible unattainable “perfection” that no human body can meet.
Part of the client weight loss work I do deals with the nitty gritty of portions, food choice, emotional eating, motivation to exercise and so on. An equally important item that needs addressing is self image, and the release of crazy unrealistic inadequacies that may have been implanted by the fashion industry.
I invite you to take a look at this video and ask yourself a question. Which woman do you find more appealing? More normal? The real woman, or the digital creation? I opt for the real woman.
The Food Obsessing is Over – Testimonial of Success for Mindworks Hypnosis & NLP
Hi, Seattle area hypnosis friends!
I got another fabulous, happy client email the other day. Lori H. of Mercer Island was reporting her progress after two hypnosis and NLP sessions with me. She sent me the accompanying photo and story.
“Hi Connie,
Just had to send along this spread of the party I was at last night. All of the things I find the hardest to resist! Meats, cheeses, bread, crackers, nuts. It was so nothing to me! I didn’t have ONE THING! And the best part was I didn’t WANT one thing!
It’s just so amazing to me. I am sure it’s “another day at the office” for you but, for me…oh my goodness it was so awesome to not obsess over having it or not…wow. Thank you!!!” – Lori H., Mercer Island, WA
That’s right. Positive changes afoot. Yay! After only one session Lori also commented that she was “shocked.” In a good way, the best way, with the easy-feeling behavioral changes she was seeing in herself. That’s the power of skilled hypnotherapy.
As always, the opportunity to discover this success for yourself exists. It’s a phone call away. Connie & Michael Brannan, Mindworks Hypnosis @ (425) 564-8608.
Negative Health Effects of Obesity in the News Again
Hypnosis helps with overweight.
Who’s following this story? It’s the New Jersey Governor and his public outcry over a Doctor’s suggestion that a lighter weight is healthier. He had pulled out a donut on the Letterman show and joked about his weight.
http://news.yahoo.com/jerseys-christie-fires-back-doctor-over-weight-comments-020421612.html
This story is interesting to me. Here is another person with “fat denial.” He thinks he’s healthy. Obese and healthy are mutually incompatible. I’m on the side of the doctor with this one. This reminds me of another recent news article about a 420 pound lady who was proud of her 85 inch hips and thought it was marvelous.
The physician wasn’t making comments on this man’s character traits or lifestyle, she was making comments on the dangers and negative consequences of obesity. She was also commenting on the danger of taking heaviness lightly. As she says: “It’s not a laughing matter.”
I don’t go in for political discussions, however I feel like saying: some people might approve of politicians in power keeling over any moment. I don’t support that as a good idea, or politicians who take unneeded health risks.
Christie talks about his lifelong struggle to lose weight. What if it weren’t a struggle? What if there were a way to make it easy and natural to get healthy?
There is. It’s called “hypnosis.” I know whereof I speak! I know how to lose weight, and if people would notice what hypnosis can do for this issue, they’d see it’s not the “struggle” they think it is. I’ve maintained a healthier weight for years now.
If you’d like to end your personal struggle with weight and find an easier way, that feels comfortable and natural (no surgeries or drugs involved), click here: http://www.loseweightseattle.com/ or call me.
When Disgust is Useful
I bought some chicken yesterday from a local supermarket deli. Got it home, and opened the packaging. Found THIS! Yikes. Battered and fried feathers.
I’m not eating feathers.
How repulsive, obviously they lacked the big picture on plucking the chicken before you cook it. If you look up the word “grotesque” in the dictionary, this chicken wing could be there. I didn’t even want to touch this thing, but I had to, to toss it into the garbage can. I’m not eating THAT!! Ick, and yick!
In my Neuro-Linguistic Programming work with clients “ick and yick” can be useful. People come into my office wanting to stop smoking. People come into my office wanting weight loss, which means, behaviorally, eating less to no sweets, pastries, cookies, chocolate, candy of all varieties, brownies, twinkies, donuts, ice cream, sugary sodas, french fries, potato chips and other carb-laden, junky processed foods that pack on the poundage on the body. I can help with that! Ick and yick finds a home.
When I was a kid my mom tried to make me eat liver. It’s a nightmarish recollection. I hate liver. As an adult, I would never choose to eat liver, because it’s horrendously repulsive, in looks, taste, smell, in every way invented. My response to the thought of liver is this: “get it away from me! No way in hell is that thing going into my mouth!” Like that chicken wing yesterday.
With NLP we can take this feeling “get it away from me, ” capture it, and attach it to anything, where it’s useful to do so. We can attach it to chocolate. To cigarettes. To brownies. To anything. If you don’t like it, you’re not going to eat it, or smoke it. This is called “aversion” anchoring. It’s another piece of the work, and it helps! On the flip of away from, I create good feelings that people prefer over cravings, things like calm, happy, joy, satisfied, healthy. Towards something wonderful and away from something disgusting, now we have a propulsion system of change.
I walk the talk, and use the tools for my own success. I took that chicken wing, and captured the revulsion, and now that’s how I feel about chocolate brownies (my former weakness). I’m not buying or eating any brownies today. None. Not interested. I’m not eating any brownies tomorrow, either. Nor the next day. When will I want brownies? Possibly never. And I’m OK with that.
This is called taking control of your life, and it’s a good thing!
Know Thy Enemy – the Little Discussed Other Problems Caused by Overweight
Just in time for New Year’s Resolutions, obesity is in the news! In short, more about what we all know: it’s not healthy to be carrying around all this extra poundage on the body. If you are struggling with this issue, perhaps you are blinding yourself to HOW unhealthy. It’s a killer.
Here’s an interesting article from the Associated Press today, expressing how ignorant the general public is about the health risks of overweight. See below.
What they aren’t saying, and SHOULD be headline news, is the fact that hypnosis is a fantabulous way to address overweight. A REAL solution. A lasting help. Not ridiculous crap like bariatric surgeries. We don’t want to get me started on that idiocy again… I’ve already shared my opinions about that here in the blog.
Here’s the article from the AP:
“Few Americans know all the risks of obesity – by LAURAN NEERGAARD and JENNIFER AGIESTA |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Heart disease and diabetes get all the attention, but what about the many other ways obesity can damage your health?
Carrying too many pounds may lead to or worsen some types of cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, even infertility. But a new poll suggests few Americans realize the links.
Only about one-quarter of people think it’s possible for someone to be very overweight and still be healthy, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Ask about the most serious consequences, and more than 7 in 10 Americans can correctly tick off heart disease and diabetes. Heart disease is the nation’s leading killer, and diabetes and obesity are twin epidemics.
The other consequences aren’t so well known.
“People are often shocked to hear how far-reaching the effects of obesity are,” said Jennifer Dimitriou, a dietitian at New York’s Montefiore Medical Center.
Just 7 percent of people surveyed mentioned cancer, although doctors long have known that fat increases the risk of developing cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, uterus and certain other sites. Plus, being overweight can make it harder to spot tumors early and to treat them.
Then there’s the toll on your joints, especially the knees. About 15 percent of people knew obesity can contribute to arthritis.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes were fairly low on the list. Infertility didn’t get a mention.
Also, 5 percent put respiratory problems on the list. Studies show people who are overweight are at increased risk of sleep apnea and asthma, and that dropping pounds can help improve their symptoms.
Knowing more about the myriad ways obesity affects health could help motivate people to get more active and eat better before full-blown disease strikes, Dimitriou said.”
I absolutely agree. Anything that will tip the scales (pun) to get someone to take action on getting healthy is a good thing. When you’re ready, here’s a reminder: I’ve won awards for my weight loss hypnotherapeutic help: Best of Bellevue 2011 and Best of Bellevue 2012 for “Weight Loss and Control Programs.” This award was received from the US Commerce Commission. I’m proud of it.
If you’d like me to help you get some healthy, call!! My office number is (425) 564-8608. Face to face, person to person, one on one, I’ll customize mental shifts for you that will help you slenderize. When you’re ready to live a lighter life, so am I to help you! http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/
Obesity – Helping through Hypnosis!
Obesity! That’s an ugly word! What is it? The dictionary says it means “excessively fat or fleshy”, originating from latin words meaning “intensive eating.” Good news: It’s really NOT an immovable monolithic THING, it’s a cumulated effect of choices, patterns, behaviors and actions–which are moveable objects, not monoliths.
Obesity is a huge problem in Seattle and the world. I was musing today on the mindset of healthy eating, healthy movement and exercise, and reshaping the body, and how easy those things are to create and sustain through hypnotherapy. It really comes down to focus and frame of mind. When you successfully change those, you change everything.
“Habits” don’t control us, it’s the UNconscious drivers of habits that are important. With hypnosis, those things can be located and changed. And I mean EASILY. With skilled hypnosis and NLP – supercharged powerful conversational hypnosis – ideas, feelings, and habits that lead to “obesity” can change in a heartbeat.
If you do emotional eating, binge eating, have tried fad diets and worse in a fail after fail attempt at weight control of obesity, well….there’s a new kid in town. Only she isn’t new. She’s been there all along, you just haven’t noticed her. Her name is HYPNOSIS. She’s starting to flex her muscles. Yay!
Hypnosis is a powerful, powerful tool in the battle with obesity. How do I know this? I’m living it, baby! And I help people in the Seattle area and beyond with my hypnotherapy and Neuro Linguistic Programming work and hear and see their weight loss results .
Cut through all the gimmicky crap (like, eat grapefruit for a week), artificial diets that don’t sustain any real changes, or radical and RIDICULOUS ideas like body surgery for obesity, pills to alter your chemistry with who knows what awful side effects, and think for a moment about what really has the power over you and your choices. (dramatic pause) NOTHING! You have the power, only you aren’t currently connected to it. Hypnosis and NLP (done well by someone creative and skilled) can do that, connect you to your power. Goodbye, Obesity!
There’s a reason Mindworks Hypnosis & NLP has been awarded “Best of Bellevue 2011″ and “Best of Bellevue 2012″ for WEIGHT LOSS AND CONTROL PROGRAMS. Because hypnosis works best for obesity. Obesity isn’t a body state (as medicos keeps insisting), it’s a mind state. And you can change your mind anytime. Now is good.
Find out more here about how to beat obesity: http://www.loseweightseattle.com/ . And I invite you to read and SEE some very nice testimonials of success with Seattle area’s Mindworks Hypnosis here: Seattle, there’s help for obesity .
When you’re ready to change your thinking and your feeling and your doing around your weight, call me! (425) 564-8608. I AM the Best in Bellevue and Seattle, too, for that matter. Discover hypnosis for helping with obesity!
The Secret to Successful Slender – Mindworks Hypnosis
When you reach your ideal weight, what will be different in your life? My clients often respond to this question with feelings. “I’ll feel happy. I’ll feel healthy, more energy. Proud of myself. Accomplished. Sexy. I’ll feel super fantastic. I’ll feel in control of my life.” Yay!! Terrific. Those are all wonderful feelings.
So, shall I share with you the secret to successful weight loss? I’ve lived it, and so are my clients. It’s why I’ve been named “Best of Bellevue” two years running for Weight Loss and Control Programs. OK, you twisted my arm. 
My clients, and people in general believe that you FIRST have to achieve the goal to feel the satisfaction and other good feelings of achieving the goal. Wrong!
Here’s the secret. The simplest weight loss tip of all: Feel good first! Then your body changes.
So simple. So elegant. So powerful. You adopt the good feelings that the successful completion of your goal will bring you, and you enjoy those good feeling in the now. That changes everything. When you change how you feel, you change how you think, and you change your behaviors. All these positive, good-feeling changes lead to changes in habits, and ultimately changes in the size, and shape of your body.
If you’re feeling energetic, sexy, and healthy, do you want that cupcake? The cupcake doesn’t bring you happy. You’re already happy. Goodbye, emotional eating (a huge problem for a majority of people with weight issues).
My teacher, Dr. Richard Bandler, put it succinctly. “Good feelings. Good decisions. Bad feelings. Bad decisions.” That is so right on! So, what I do with weight loss clients is attach them to the good feelings now. Their own healthy decisions roll from there.
Here’s where hypnosis and Neuro Linguistic Programming (a conversational hypnosis) are powerful helpers. These are methodologies which make it so quick and easy to create useful states of mind and body at will. Emotional states or feelings such as happy, healthy, accomplishment, control. We create them, and we attach them to situations where they become useful. That’s what I do. I custom design and blend new appropriate feelings the way you might have a shade of paint for your living room custom blended. I create shades of emotion that are desirable and useful. And then I paint your life with them.
So, yes, this works for weight loss. And so much more. Say you have an unwanted state of mind and body called fear. A phobia. If the phobia was gone how would you be feeling? Calm, safe, clear minded, and free. Ok. Voila. We create calm, safe, clear minded, and free. And using various creative processes we attach that to the context which used to contain fear. Fear evaporates.
Hypnosis is good stuff. As always, you can learn more about these tools at http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net .
Feel Great and Lose Weight – A Video Testimonial of Success for Connie & Mindworks Hypnosis
The printed word is nice. But a face, and joy…beaming with happy, well that’s an intangible that words may or may not convey adequately. I have dozens upon dozens of written testimonials on my websites. Here’s a video testimonial. Stacy Lenny of Seattle, Washington, is happy. Why? She’s changing her life. And her body.
“I feel like a whole new person!” She says. Today was her third session with me, covering 2+ weeks on the calendar. How’s that for quick life change? She’s lost 5 pounds so far. That’s significant. But more significant than that is her new inner state of mind and body that is now propelling her into healthy. It’s just a matter of time for the body changes. The “battle” is actually already won. We’ll get another video from her when her body has reshaped itself as well.
Here’s the description on the Youtube video:
Weight Loss client, Stacy Lenny, shares her happy & success from Neuro Linguistic Hypnotherapy with Mindworks Hypnosis & NLP @ http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/ . She’s lost 5 pounds so far, however the biggest changes are how she feels and the new healthy habits forming. Goodbye sugar and donuts and cookies. Hello healthy eating. Hello motivation to exercise. Hello feeling good, about herself!! You change the mind, and the thinking/feeling, and behaviors change, and the body shape and size follows. Like Stacy, when you’re tired of useless and ineffective “talk therapies” which she had endured for YEARS, check out NLP for real life change. Now. NLP is “hypnosis on steroids.” Connie and Michael Brannan of Mindworks Hypnosis & NLP are Licensed Trainers of NLP® through the Society of Neuro Linguistic Programming. They also teach: http://www.seattlenlptraining.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyzaXc3rhY
Yay, Stacy. I think she’s beautiful. Happiness has a shine, does it not?
The Power of Pie
I was reading an article about Thanksgiving, and about PIE in particular. America’s love affair with pie. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, rhubarb pie, you name it. Blackberry pie. The pie council conducted a survey about America’s pie habits, who likes what and how often. I read a shocking and startling statement, right there in bold ink:
“1 in 5 Americans have eaten an entire pie by themselves.”
Wow. Pie is homey, pie is celebration, but a whole pie??? Was it in one sitting, I wonder… Wow. Sounds like overindulgence.
If you’re one of the 20% of Americans with that kind of eating capacity and proclivity, and if you also have packed on any extra pounds by way of pie overdose…guess what? Hypnosis can help. I can help. Hypnosis works! My company is Mindworks Hypnosis and I’ll get you back on track to healthy eating faster than you can imagine.
If you’re worried about overindulging this Thanksgiving, think about this: Hypnosis for weight loss and weight management. It’s what I do. It’s what I know. It’s my own story as well, although I have never eaten a whole pie. Check out the before and after picture of me! This is how I know hypnosis works, I’ve used it.
Hypnosis works for weight loss.
I was fond of those individual Hostess pies, however–lemon in particular. Haven’t had one in years, and that’s a good thing.
If you need pie protection in advance of November 25, I can help! Absolutely yes. If you want to be satisfied with one piece, we can do that. I you want none, we can do that. If you want to be motivated to go exercise on Black Friday, we can do that. Tell me what you want, and I’ll help you do it.
Here is more information about my services to help with weight management hypnosis: http://www.loseweightseattle.com
Have a happy and healthy Holiday!
Seattle area hypnotist, Connie Brannan, CHt. & Licensed Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming®
Dumb and Dumber – Just Say NO to Weight Loss Surgery
Slicing and Dicing–Dumb!
I offer hypnosis services for weight management, and periodically I get asked questions about “bariatric hypnosis.” I’d like to answer those questions here and explain why I believe it’s ill-conceived, not likely to be successful, and something that I would NEVER do to my clients in a million years.
“What is bariatric surgery?” It’s a variety of invasive medical procedures that involve the slicing and dicing of the human body to artificially create a reduction in stomach capacity, fraught with all the pain, dangers, and complications of surgery, plus the aftermath of nausea, vomiting, dehydration and potential malnutrition, with dubious longevity or long term benefit. What’s the point of all this? To achieve weight loss. (Hint: there’s an easier way!)
The goal: physically creating a situation wherein you’ll eat less–because you can’t physically eat. That removes choice, doesn’t it? And it fails to address whatsoever the core unconscious issues that lead a person to obesity-inducing behaviors–those remain, even after surgery. It doesn’t change feelings, thoughts, beliefs, it’s an artificial and unpleasant restriction on behavior. I like choices for people. What is bariatric surgery? A limiting of choice and just plain dumb.
What would it be like if there were far simpler ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight? Ways that are pleasant, natural, non-intrusive, and encourage healthy choice? That in addition make a person feel good, not just about their body, but their whole life?? Feelings of high self esteem, accomplishment, power, joy, and so on?
Well, we’re all in luck, because there are such ways, when skillfully delivered. They are called Hypnosis and NLP. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (a specialized high-tech hypnosis, which is conversational in nature). These things, when used with artistry and creativity and skill, lead a person to a healthy weight naturally. With surgery, there are still cravings that are present yet denied due to artificial restrictions. With hypnosis and NLP, there are no cravings period. Gone. Which sounds more appealing? To me, that’s the definition of purgatory, wanting and wanting and being unable to have. After bariatric surgery, suffering an eternity of feeling deprived? NO, THANK YOU! That’s like dieting.
Hypnosis is not dieting. It’s life change. Changing how you feel, and how you think, and what you do, and even what you believe to be true. Changing your life. In ways that are useful. No scalpels required.
Unless you are a bariatric hypnotist. Dumber. A bariatric hypnotist chooses to engage in a process of hypnotic change work which involves the client undergoing the aforementioned bariatric procedures hypnotically, while in trance. Trance is meant to be a pleasant experience, not something horrific!! They have au de operating room, ether smells, and sound effects of being cut open so that the person will experience it all as real, and the body respond accordingly. This idea disturbs me greatly. A true hypnotist (one who has had legitimate training and was paying attention and has a modicum of intelligence) has tools to help, that don’t create an artificial fix. Bariatric hypnosis isn’t a “fix,” it’s another f-word, followed by an e-d.
The whole mindset around this “work” disturbs me. The other day I got a mailing soliciting bariatric hypnotists. The language appalled me. It read: “Calling All Hypnotists Seriously Interested in Helping The Morbidly Obese Client Rejoin The Human Race.” Oh!! Really? Those with weight problems are not human? What are they? Aliens? Hey, just a guess, but this does not sound like a compassionate or empathetic point of view. I guess if you’re going to cut them open, it’s easier to do if you think of them as nonhuman. Maybe it’s like dissecting lab rats.
Bariatric surgery? Dangerous, dumb, dubiously effective, and not necessary for successful weight loss. Hypnotic bariatric surgery? In my opinion, that is exponentially dumber, and absolutely wrong-minded–what a waste of a powerful and positive tool for life change–hypnosis. I KNOW how people successfully lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. And I know that they don’t require surgery to do it. Now…how do I know?
Because I’ve lived the transformation from fat to fit, and maintained it for 5 years. Without being sliced open, in reality or in my unconscious mind. Hypnosis and NLP, used properly, are all you need! Here’s what I’ve accomplished:
Before and After.
And I help others to achieve and maintain a healthy weight as well. Here are some comments from some of my successful weight loss clients:
“I have been committed to lose weight for my health for years. However, the actual first step was almost impossible. So before I tried more radical methods, I thought I would try hypnosis. Connie Brannan, and Mindworks Hypnosis worked wonders. The day after my first session, new behaviors emerged and became habits. The amazing thing is – it was so easy.
- Late night cravings – gone.
- Drinking 8 glasses of water/day – new habit.
- Portion control – easy.
- A real desire for healthy foods – a new habit.
- Feeling full with the right amount of food – a new feeling.
Neuro Linguistic Hypnosis works and fast. I have been losing a consistent 2.5 pounds per week. In the first six weeks, I’ve lost 18 pounds and counting.” –Cynthia Sullivan, COO of a local Bellevue company, Bellevue, WA Update: Cynthia has lost 50 pounds now! 
“Hi Connie,
Just wanted to thank you again for your wonderful help. I’ve lost 40# in 4 months, and I feel confident that I’m going to lose at least 40 more. It’s truly remarkable what a few easy sessions with you have done for my life.
As a health care worker, I’ve always known healthy diet and exercise were key to losing weight, but I never seemed motivated to seriously make those long term lifestyle changes. I grew so obese that I even considered surgery. But the risks scared me, so I decided to try calling you instead. Even after one session, everything changed. I found myself craving healthy foods, appropriate portions, and daily exercise. My sweet tooth and chip obsession disappeared overnight. My self esteem skyrocketted. I finally knew I could conquer my lifelong struggle with my weight. It’s been months since I’ve seen you and yet I’m still right on track with my goals. Hypnosis is easy and it truly works. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!” –E, Seattle, WA.
”The choices aren’t hard anymore.” – Anonymous client, Duvall, WA. (She lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks.)
“Thank you, Connie! The work we have done together has truly changed my life. I have found “my happy” and am now on the journey to a stronger, slimmer, healthier me.” — Kelly, Renton, WA.
“I’ve lost 8 pounds in 12 days!” –Don B., Issaquah, WA.
“It’s amazing! I’ve lost 17 lbs in 3 weeks. I’m happy! I’m sleeping like a baby. My stress level has decreased. I’m making very healthy choices. (Before my last session) I was dancing in the shower, couldn’t wait, eager to come see Connie. She’s guided me to opening my gate to freedom.” –Julie, Mercer Island, WA.
“I will have you know I’ve lost 30 lbs. Girl, you are my absolute idol!” –Lisa B.
“I’m not so glued to the food!” Liz, Redmond, WA.
“I don’t crave ice cream at all now! Or chocolate. I am in shock!!!”– Saliha B., Issaquah, WA.
“Dear Connie: Thank you so much for working with me to help me lose weight. I had just one session, and the positive effects are nothing short of amazing! The cravings that so plagued me are just gone! I feel better and have more energy and just feel more positive since I am not constantly telling myself no. I did not realize the energy I was expending either refusing certain foods, or feeling bad after having eaten them! I cannot wait for our next session. I wish I had found you earlier as I would have saved myself so much grief and disappointment. Thank you for sharing this life altering experience with me.” –Fondly, Monica Anderson, Bellevue, WA.
“I love hypnosis…my knee cracking, painful problem is GONE. I feel a foot taller. I feel thinner. I feel lighter. I feel like a superstar!…Go see Connie! She’s magical!” – Nicole, Seattle, WA.
”I’ve been loving the results and new freedoms from my first round of NLP: 10 pounds gone, much less stress in my life, and I’m saving a ton of money at the grocery store. Yay me! People have been asking me what’s up with the changes and I send them your way.” – K. Dolan, Seattle, WA
”I experienced the most wonderful shift regarding my weight. You said something during the hypnosis that has allowed me to feel much more in touch with my true desires and beliefs about my weight. I feel the change and it has a wonderful ease about it. So I just wanted to let you know and to tell you how much I appreciate your work!” –C., Bellevue, WA
“I lost 4 pounds the first week since our hypnosis session!” –Ms. J., Woodinville
”I’ve lost 3 pounds in the past week since our session. I no longer feel the need to clean my plate.” –Marilyn H., Seattle, WA.
“Thank you for working with me. My eating habits have changed and I’m full much sooner. I haven’t weighed myself, but I haven’t done that in years. My clothes feel better!” –Sheri Parker, Topeka KS
“I haven’t had a donut since I last saw you (3 weeks), which is a MIRACLE!!” – Nichole L., Bellevue, WA
“It’s been 3-1/2 weeks, and I’ve eaten no junk food or candy! None. I’ve never done that before in my life! I’m impressed!” –Jeff J., Seattle, WA.
“I’ve lost 12 pounds!” — Naomi V., Mercer Island.
“It’s amazing. I’m such a different person from who I was. I’m happy, confident, very positive. People around me are noticing and commenting. Best of all, I’m not so hard on myself, I’ve learned to say nice things to myself. I’m so much happier. I feel like I can do anything.” – K.J., Renton, WA.
“Connie, I can’t begin to thank you for the ways you’ve made things better for me. I originally sought out Mindworks as the result of a glowing recommendation from a trusted friend and health professional in an effort to curb my neurotic eating. Connie was wonderfully professional and patient with me even when I lost confidence in myself or the process. I was able to dramatically reduce my nervous/neurotic eating, let go of self-loathing thoughts, gain some peace with difficult parent relationships and feel so much more hopeful and positive about the direction in which I was headed. I absolutely plan to return to do a little more mental house-cleaning and have recommended her so several others.” — Bree, Seattle, WA.
“I went to MindWorks for weight loss but ended up getting so much more out of my sessions with Connie. I have reduced stress, increased confidence and put past dysfunctional relationships in the past. Connie is a warm, caring, professional. The work we have done together has absolutely changed my life. I highly recommend Connie / MindWorks.” –Kelly, Seattle, WA.
“I cannot even begin to say all I want to say about Connie and the work she does at Mindworks Hypnosis. I’ve worked with Connie on a couple different occasions, and she has changed my life completely. I went to her for my lack of energy and enthusiasm for working out and losing weight. I’ve lost 50lbs and am now 10lbs from my goal!” –N, Seattle, WA.
“I was so happy to find Connie. Over the past 50 years I have spent thousands tracking down my constant, and health damaging weight problem. I talked until therapists felt we had gone as far as possible and still weighed over 250 pounds! (and growing) Three short treatments from Connie and I have been losing between 15 and 20 effortless, happy pounds a month. My Life has totally changed for the better. Folks don’t even recognize me from the back! She is a REAL LIVE miracle worker.” –GG, Redmond, WA.
I could go on… Do you get the idea here? Ethical hypnosis performed by skilled and creative hypnotherapists and by credentialed, Licensed Practitioners and Master Practitioners of NLP works for weight loss. It’s natural, pleasant, non-intrusive, and makes your whole life better. Why consider anything else?
Beat the sugar cravings – with hypnosis.
I received some more feedback today, another happy testimonial from another happy client. She had come in for help with weight loss. Here’s what she had to say about her ice cream and chocolate cravings after experiencing a single session of Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapy with me:
“I don’t crave ice cream at all now! Or chocolate. I am in shock!!!” She goes on to explain how people around her are noticing the positive difference in her. “I’m smiling all the time. People think that I am in love! But I am not! Absolutely not in love, I just feel GREAT. I believe that it’s the hypnosis!!” Saliha B., Issaquah, WA.
She’s right! What I’m hoping people can learn from this is that hypnosis helps. Not just in re-shaping and sculpting the body, but in changing your life. When the positive changes start rolling, it affects everything, reaches fingers into everything. It’s about changing your very experience of life, not only improving how you look, but improving how you feel, and how you think, and what you do all at the same time. Improving your outlook, your energy, your confidence. Your healthy and happy. All good.
Saliha IS in love, by the way. With herself. That’s the difference. When you feel good about yourself, you make better choices. We custom blended a new feeling for her, a mixture of confident, happy, optimistic and healthy. Feeling that way changed everything for her.
Do you want a taste of happy like Saliha? It’s so much more palatable than chocolate. Hypnosis works for weight management. Call me. Connie: (425) 564-8608.
Connie and the Ducks
The ducks love me. And, rightly so! 
My office is in the most beautiful location, trees, water, fresh, green, lush, and…sinking. It’s a wetlands. And it’s wetter than usual. We’ve had some flooding.
What used to be the tenant office parking area for my building is now part of a giant mud puddle, or as I call it, “the swamp.” While it’s harder for us humans to scrounge for parking spaces, the ducks and other wildlife love it! And the ducks love me.
I feed them. Duckbread.
Yesterday I was walking to my office by way of the swamp, and in it were 7 tiny baby ducks, several adults and one “half-pint” sized duck. I see them every day! Those are “my ducks.” 
They were all hungry, apparently. I had made a special trip to the Orowheat bakery thrift store (again) here in Bellevue to get a big package of bread for the ducks, and now…feasting time. Duck frenzy. A happy frenzy.
It is so cute to see those baby ducks eating. And the happy sounds! 
One thing I’ve noticed about ducks, though, they stop eating when they’ve had enough. I’ll be tossing out the breadcrumbs and they’ll be scarfing them down, then suddenly they’re swimming away, totally disinterested. Done! Time to preen, time to sit in the sun. The rest of the bread gets picked up and whisked away by the giant crows that also live in the area.
These ducks look VERY healthy.
What a good lesson for humans, too. Stop eating when you’ve had enough. In fact, that’s part of the “Naturally Slender Healthy Eating Strategy” I help install in clients during hypnosis. NLP studies excellence and “what works.” I help people take on the unconscious patterns of naturally slender people–and my clients become slender. It works! Goodbye, bored eating. Goodbye, stress eating. Goodbye, I have to finish my plate eating. Goodbye, I see it so I have to eat it eating. Hello, healthy eating. Hello, in-tune-with-the-body eating.
Ducks know things. Useful things. And they know that I’m a friend and want the best for them. I want that for my clients, too. If you would like to eat healthier and take on the habits, thoughts, feelings that go along with healthy and result in weight loss and ongoing weight management, maybe it’s time for hypnosis.
I know whereof I speak. I live the “healthy eating strategy” and it’s a huge part of how I lost 80+ pounds. Now, whether you’ve got 8 to lose, or 80, these tools will reshape your life and body. Call me and find out more:
(425) 564-8608. http://www.loseweightseattle.com .
Steps to a Healthier Weight
Hypnosis wins the battle of the bulge. Good advice here:
The government has abandonded the “food pyramid” in favor of the “ food plate ” symbol for balancing nutrition. That’s good. That’s useful. Click the highlighted link to read the gov’s article on Steps to a Healthier Weight.
Obesity is a growing problem (no pun) in the US and world. Knowing what to eat is good information. But there’s more. It’s the intangible. The mindset that allows you to DO IT. Easily. Get healthy, that is. The motivation. The passion, determination, and focus to acheive a healthy weight and maintain it over time. Hypnosis is a tool to do all of that. The best tool, in my mind. I’ve battled weight my entire life, until I found “the big guns” that turned the war around. That’s hypnosis.
In my Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapy sessions, I’m not teaching people a food plan. I’m not a nutritionist. I’m teaching them a thought plan. Most people know what they SHOULD do, what they should eat, and how much, how they should move their bodies, they often just have trouble doing it. Hypnosis makes it happen. Easily. That’s the key word. It’s easy to change. When you want to, with sufficient motivation and oomph. Hypnosis creates all the oomph you need to do what you want to do. It works.
Knowing about food and nutrition and food plans is all wonderful. Having professionals help you with these things if necessary is also good. Getting healthy is worthy. And you deserve it. Lighter, stronger, more energy, more power, HEALTHIER. Don’t neglect the most important piece of the puzzle–the mind. Your mind. That’s my arena of expertise.
If it’s time to get healthy, to let go of that burdensome extra weight…take on a tool that works. Hypnosis. Loseweightseattle.com
Non Portion Non-Control
Everyone talks about New Year’s Resolutions! Well, New Year’s has come and gone, and perhaps you have not yet achieved your weight management goals. I can help! That’s right, perhaps it’s time for a new Spring Resolution. 
I help people with my Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapy with ALL the issues surrounding weight loss and healthy eating habits. I’ve lived this story. And here I am, lighter and happy at the success side of this. I know all about it.
Hypnosis works! For motivation, and increasing the desire to exercise, freedom from cravings, freedom from junk food, getting in tune with your body’s needs, eliminating that negative self talk, and more. It’s about installing healthy choices, naturally, on a UNconscious level. This makes new healthy behaviors and thoughts and feelings so natural that you forget you ever had a problem. How amazing would that be?
You can find out. Call me! I’ve also got a website which focuses on my work with weight management: it’s here
http://www.loseweightseattle.com . Seattle, yes! But not only Seattle. I’m talkin’ to you, Bellevue, and Redmond, and Sammamish, and Issaquah. I’m talkin’ to you, Mercer Island! (my home town). I’m talking to all of you in the Seattle metro area. If you want it to be different, it can be. Find out now!
“Big Ass” Cookie
Ok, this question is to the myriad of you (and I’m one as well) who battle with weight. What do you do when you slip up? When you fall off the “being good” wagon? When that holiday treat calls to you, and you listen? Do you beat yourself up? Do you say: “Well, the day is shot, the week is shot, I might as well eat another brownie and/or piece of pizza and I’ll start again Monday!”? Do you say: “Well, I failed, best forget the whole idea of ever getting thin!!” Or do you say: “Well, I did that. It was a choice. I’d rather choose and do something different, starting NOW.”?
The topic is recovery strategies. You’ve got to shift your perception from diets, which tend to be all or nothing mindsets (you’re ON the diet, or you’re OFF the diet) to a lifestyle change orientation. Success does not equal perfection. Hypnosis helps! Even if you make a decision you don’t like, you get to make a new one, and continue from there. This essay is about cutting yourself some slack when you “goof up” (as we all do) and then continue your long term success. I’ve lost 80+ pounds in the past couple years. Is that success? Hell, yes! Was I perfect in my eating choices every moment of every day of that time? Hell, no.
I’m going to tell the story of my own recent slip-up. And recovery! I call this story: “Big ass” cookie. My teacher, Dr. Richard Bandler, encourages us to make large, rich, 3D, vibrant goal pictures in our minds to motivate us to move in those desired directions. He calls those: “big ass pictures.” Somehow, that phrase has embedded itself into my mind. So, I use it, too, even if it’s slightly vulgar. I’m going to tell the story, now, of the “big ass cookie.” It wasn’t just a picture. It was a reality.
We all have triggers in us, unconscious or conscious imprinted motivators which propel us into action. I have an “eat sweets” trigger: it’s called “Halloween.” I have another: it’s called “I’m on vacation, and it’s time to indulge myself.” I have another: it’s called “I’ve been working really hard so I deserve it.” I have another: it’s called “I’m on sale, buy me.” All of these converged a few weeks ago while I was in Chicago.
Our hotel room had a kitchenette, so we went to the store looking for some food to put in there. It was within a day or two of Halloween, and every aisle end display was full of bags of candy. I ignored those. But then…a bakery table. And on this table were Halloween decorated cupcakes, cakes, and cookies, all on sale! I was riveted by the beautiful dinner-plate sized chocolate chip, decorator-iced cookies with witches and goblins and ghosts sugar-smeared on top, the kind that ideally you cut up into about 20 serving slices. Big Ass Cookies!! My triggers converged. The cookie called to me. I bought it. Just the one. Of course, it was bigger than godzilla’s head.
I bought it, but I didn’t eat it. Yet. Then it was time to go home. I should have tossed it. I couldn’t. I put it in my suitcase, at a risk of making my suitcase over the weight limit–because it was already close. I figure this cookie weighed 2 pounds. I crammed it, this giant, hurkin’ cookie into my suitcase. And I brought it home. And I opened it. It had gotten squished. I didn’t care. I ate a piece. A big piece. Probably about two–three servings worth–THEN I tossed it. Nowhere no how is eating sugar-iced chocolate chip cookies on my low carb plan.
But, here’s the key to success. I began again. On my healthy lifestyle eating program. I had gained a few pounds while on vacation in Chicago, that “indulgence” thing kicking in–the last gasp being that cookie. Home again, I didn’t beat myself up, I recovered. Back on track! In the past two weeks I’ve lost 8 pounds.
Here’s the deal. Hypnosis is FANTASTIC for installing in you, me, all of us these recovery strategies. How to keep going, in spite of momentary temptations or lapses or “failings.” To keep focus on the big ass picture of lean and healthy, the goals that drive us. If you find yourself dieting, and giving up, dieting and giving up, hypnosis will help you reframe a new lifestyle and keep it going. Long term success. Which is not necessarily perfection! I know whereof I speak!
I am 2 pounds right now off of my all-time low adult weight, and I know I’ll get there next week. And even lower. That’s right, during the holidays, while most others are packing on the weight, I’m slenderizing. If you’re ready for long term success with your weight, I’ll help! Now is the perfect time. Call me: (425) 564-8608.
Happy Holidays & Warm Regards, Connie
Connie Brannan, CHt.
http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net
http://www.loseweightseattle.com
http://www.seattlenlptraining.com
http://www.stopsmokingseattle.com
The Cobbler’s Wife
In my early days of learning hypnosis, I loved to have conversations with professional hypnotherapists. Professional hypnotists. Lucky for me, I found several very open and sharing professionals on a hypnosis forum. They answered my questions. Here’s one question I asked, and was answered.
I asked if hypnotists (and NLP people–those using that very specific brand of conversational hypnosis for positive change) were all supermen. And superwomen. Having worked on themselves to the point of perfect specimens of precision and excellence. No limiting beliefs, no bad habits, perfect bodies, perfect lives. These new tools seemed so miraculous to me (and they are) that I was “just askin’!” I was beginning to experience success with hypnosis for weight loss, and I wondered how far these professionals were able to use these tools in their own lives, to improve their own lives. The answer surprised me!
The consensus was, yes, we use them, but only a little, and only when there’s time. Which, apparently, there wasn’t. One friend told the story of the cobbler’s wife. He, the cobbler, the shoe-maker, was so busy making shoes for other people his own family was running around without. His wife had old, old tattered shoes. He was wearing old shoes, himself. Now, that’s sad. 
I think it would have been of benefit to his business to make his wife some new, damn fine shoes. For her to wear, love, show off, dance in. People would notice. Her shoes would attract attention, and get him MORE business. “Wow, look at those beautiful shoes, where’d you get them?” “My husband makes these shoes!” “Wow, I’m coming in, I want shoes like that!” 
I’ve decided to flaunt my shoes. Only they aren’t shoes. My personal success with hypnosis is manyfold, but the easily visible part is the weight loss. I want people to notice that hypnosis works! For weight loss and weight management.
Now, a cigarette-smoking hypnotist can probably help you with smoking cessation and an obese hypnotist can probably help you with weight loss–the tools are the same. But wouldn’t you rather work with someone who truly KNOWS and lives this success day by day, month by month, year by year? I would! Look at my shoes!! They sparkle!! I’ll make you a pair.
Super Secret Candy-Bar-Eating-Habit Busting Technique
The topic today is habits — habitual behaviors that we engage in almost without thinking. Learned behaviors which now flow. Too easily, sometimes. Sometimes habits are good. Like bathing. Like using deodorant. Like brushing your teeth.
Like looking both ways before crossing the street. Sometimes habits are bad. Say, smoking. Or a ”cookie addiction.” Or any other kind of addiction, sex, alcohol, spending, gambling, and so on. Or any number of other unhealthy or unwanted or self destructive behaviors, which lead to an outcome we’d rather not come out to. 
Actually, those words, bad and good habits, are misleading. There are NO good habits and there are no bad habits. I use those words for convenience and understanding because they’re out there in the vernacular, out there in common usage. The truth is, there are only useful habits and non-useful habits.
Cool thing is, we get to decide what that is. If a habit is useful, go with it. Enjoy. Live. Love. Be happy. If a habit, however, is not useful, or no longer useful, we can identify that, know that, and change it! Here’s another one of those self-empowering ideas. We can change our habits. Yes, we can. We are not victims in this life–we make the rules. You and me. We can get into the habit of breaking habits, when it’s useful to do so. And I’m going to lead you through a simple process in this essay to do just that!
We’ll take a “simple” unwanted behavior. How about something from my own life. Sugar? Bakery goods? Brownies? Hmmm, I know–candy. Chocolate. Hershey bars.
I used to have a habit. It was called “eat candy bars.” Anytime, all the time, just about every day or so. Primarily, Hershey’s with almonds. I’d get the little bars, and I’d also get those giant sized bars, 8 oz, which I think nowadays cost more and are 4 oz. Still called “giant” sized, however. I guess it’s all in your perspective. And I’d eat the whole thing–eventually. In a day or two. And then I’d buy more. Bad habit, right? Maybe, maybe not. I’m sure the Hershey company, and the Nestle company, and the M&M Mars company, thought it was a GREAT habit, and loved me for it. But for ME, I decided that it was not useful. I decided to shift that habit, as it became a non-useful habit when I decided to get healthy and consume less calories and less sugar and transform my body.
I decided! Eating candy bars: non useful habit. Let’s change it!
Here’s a simple NLP process to do just that. NLP, again, is Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™ which is a “high tech hypnosis.” It’s also been called, aptly, “hypnosis on steroids.” I love my NLP, as taught to me by the Master of Masters, the creator, Dr. Richard Bandler. He taught me, and I’m teaching you. Here and now. Behold! A habit-busting technique that is so simple and straightforward, perhaps it will become a new habit of yours to use it. And bust any non utilitarian habits. Until they invent a Bad-habit-be-gone-spray-in-a-can, this is the next best thing. Psssssst.
But, before I get into the process, one more story. I went to a “weight loss hypnosis” talk the other day and it involved imagining bugs/maggots/disgusting vermin crawling on my donut to get me to change my behavior as regards donuts. This is NOTHING like that. I find THAT suggestion disgusting, the idea that we need to get uncomfortable about things in order to change. False! That’s ill-formed and wrong-directional. You don’t need to do that. Thing is, you may want to enjoy a donut or piece of donut sometime in your life. I don’t believe in taking that opportunity away, or making people feel sick!! We’re not attaching negativity to the thing, which decreases or limits your choices, we’re enlarging your choices so that it’s easier to choose healthy and useful habits.
Ok. The chocolate bar. I used to be able to put myself into a state of desire. Wanting it. Which then led to buying and eating it. Create a picture in your mind that represents a negative habit and your wanting to do it.
We all have desires all the time that we don’t act on. I had a co-worker once who would have benefited by a slap upside the head. I wanted to do that, on occasion. Did I? No. Never.
Sometimes I have a desire to stay in bed beyond an appropriate time. Do I? No. I get up. Sometimes, a scene in a movie is so absurd I want to shout something derogatory out at the screen in the theater. Do I? No. Sometimes, I see a good looking stranger at the gym, and I feel like running up and squeezing his bicep…do I? No. We all have desires which we know perfectly well we will not act on. Create a picture in your mind that represents a temptation or desired behavior that you KNOW you will not act on.
Notice everything about that picture–the thing you will not do, the line in the sand as it were. You won’t cross it. You know you won’t do this thing, even though you’d like to. As you study the picture, notice it’s size, shape, location, color or black and white, movement, focus, brightness, clarity, everything. Memorize those qualities of the picture. Qualities of the picture are like the options in a photo editing software. You’re not looking at the content in any way, you’re noticing the qualities such as focus and color.
Now, take the picture of the unwanted behavior, and match it to those qualities of the “won’t do it” picture. Every one! Size, color, focus, etc. And stick this picture right in the space of the “won’t do it” picture, like two pieces of music on a music stand. Imagine yourself not doing this thing, and the positive outcomes flowing from that change. In my case, not eating the candy leads to a smaller body, more energy, more money in my pocket, and feeling good! Lock in the picture of the unwanted behavior into the “won’t do it” position. Click your teeth, or snap your fingers, or say “that’s right” and tell your mind to keep it there. Sometimes I imagine splashing a bucket of shellac over the top of the picture as a sealant for the new qualities.
Top secret NLP insight: When you change how you represent a situation or problem in your mind, the situation changes! Read that sentence again. Let it seep in.
Now, step back and think of yourself and the unwanted behavior. In this case, you may notice that the temptation to do the thing that USED to be a bad habit has shifted, into something you simply won’t do. Not a struggle. Simply a sense of No! I won’t do that. Freedom! You speak the holy word (for Star Trek officiandos, name that episode!).
Play with this and let me know how you do! And, as always, if you’d like to learn more cool NLP techniques and processes, here’s how: http://www.seattlenlptraining.com . In fact, Michael and I have three 1-day seminars next month, which is a fabulous introduction to the power of NLP. One seminar focuses on life change, one on sales and business success, and one on self hypnosis. C’mon down and learn more. You know you want to!
Candy Hallucinations…or, it’s all licorice!
I’m my own guinea pig. 
And that’s a good thing. I work on myself (hypnotically and NLP Nelp-notically) all the time to improve my life! And Michael works with me, too. I have a cute story from yesterday to share!
We were out and about on a Sunday running errands, and we ended up in a little arcade of shops that includes a candy store. One of those colorful “every-kind-of candy-you-can-imagine” in bulk bins stores. PLUS, it was also an ice cream shoppe and coffee shop. Not that I was drawn through any particular URGE into the candy store, but I thought: it’s a good time to test my responses. To chocolate, to sugar, to CANDY! So, I went in!
Now, you have to know my history a little. Candy was MY THING. All my life. Candy Connie. We’re talking addictive behavior. It was the focus of much of my life, pretty much. Eating it, finding it, buying it, hoarding it, making it, too. Having it around made me feel safe. But mostly, my focus was buying it and eating it. I think I learned that from my mom–she had candy every day of her life. It was always around. And I ate it every day, too. Too much of it. As a kid, Halloween was my favorite holiday. Candy!!! Yay!!! As an adult and bargain hunter, Halloween was still my favorite holiday, especially the day after Halloween and also the day after Valentine’s and other “chocolate holidays.” Half price candy! I was delirious with joy! 
I remember those days, but I no longer feel the pull. Of sugar. Hypnosis is wonderful for focusing your mind on healthy choices, and I’ve been doing it for 3-4 years now. I don’t eat candy at all. And I don’t think about it–in general. But here was this candy store, so I thought: “Let’s go test!”
I went inside the store and looked around, and also looked INside me to see how I was feeling. The main question: “Did I want any? Did the candy look appealing to me? Was there a temptation to buy any?” No, no, and no. But here’s the funny thing. All these bins, all these choices, and the only thing I could notice were the candies I don’t like. The ones I’ve NEVER liked. Like root beer flavor (yuck!) gummies, like LICORICE. Black licorice. Hate it!!! I wouldn’t eat that in a million years–even before during my heydey of sugar abandon. Sweet-tart legos. Also yick. My mind was sorting for “yick,” and nothing looked good.
Suddenly, in my imagination, everything was licorice. Those horrid bins of black licorice “all sorts.” That’s what I saw, that’s what I felt (I would never eat that), and then I left the store. Somehow, all the nice, fancy chocolates never caught my eye or attention. The ice cream–didn’t notice it. It was a store full of black licorice all sorts. “Let me OUT of here!!”
A naturally occurring hypnotic phenomenon is hallucination. Both positive hallucinations (seeing something that isn’t there) and negative hallucinations (not seeing something that IS there.) I was having negative hallucinations. Standing in that candy store, I didn’t see anything appealing. It was kind of cool and kind of weird at the same time. This was never something directly suggested to me (the candy I used to like is invisible) but it seems to be how my new healthy eating focus is manifesting here. I like it!
One more quick story, similar in nature. I was in Las Vegas assisting with a conversational hypnosis training a couple months ago. I brought in some bags of M&M’s for the group. Giant bags containing many mini bags–those little treat size bags of M&M’s–like you get at Halloween! 
Anyway, apparently they were tempting one of my friends there, named Kerry. His downfall: peanut M&M’s. He asked me to do some hypnosis and NLP with him to help him with the candy and sugar cravings. I did. He also reported a very interesting hallucination effect. Weirder even than mine! He told me that next morning he literally DID NOT SEE the packages of M&M’s on the table. He could see the fabric of the tablecloth underneath, kind of buckled and wrinkled like something was on it, but didn’t see the candy. He was freaked! And admiring. And happy. So, he didn’t eat any. You don’t eat what you don’t see.
The upshot of all this: when you choose healthy eating, your unconscious mind “makes it so.” Like Jean Luc Picard on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. “Make it so!!” My unconscious mind was sure doing it in a very fascinating and creative way. Yes, if all candy was black licorice, I wouldn’t touch it. And I don’t. 
Feelin’ good, still losing weight here.
Warm Regards, and Happy February!
Connie
“New Year, New You! Managing Your Weight Through Hypnosis”
Connie presenting a talk at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center 1-16-10
A World Hypnotism Day Event – At Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
I’ll be presenting a talk tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 1/16/10, at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. 2:00 PM. In a “Tan” classroom of the Evergreen Surgery & Physicians Center building, first floor. Come one come all, and learn more about this amazing tool for life enhancement. Not to sound like a broken record, but some broken records are good and worth listening to: It Works! And better still, this talk is free!
It’s an ideal opportunity to hobnob with hypnotists, and learn more! Ask questions. Experience trance for yourself. Why not?
If your new year’s resolution involves shedding a few, if you’re having an issue with weight management, this talk is for you! I’ve been there, done that, and come out the other side–successful. Learn how you can, too.
World Hypnotism Day!
January 4th is the “official” 6th annual World Hypnotism Day, a day in which all things hypnotic are celebrated and knowledge spread to the general public about this fantastic tool for change! The “day” was yesterday, but it’s celebrated by formal and informal hypnosis organizations all this month! Personally, I celebrate hypnosis every day of my life!
My little sister was describing me recently to a family member who hasn’t seen me in quite awhile: “Connie’s happy now.” Yes, I am! And I credit hypnosis as the impetus and mechanism for making MAJOR shifts in my life, my body, my attitude, my career, my joy. So, everyday for me is I Love Hypnosis Day!
However…there is a formally recognized day. And it is now, and all this month! And it has events!
I’m a part of two major World Hypnotism Day Events this year, and I thought to share the particulars with YOU. Because, you’re invited. You’re invited to attend, and learn, and experience more about hypnosis.
1) My Professional Organization, The NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists) – WA (Washington State Chapter) has an event on January 30th! It’s tentatively to be held at the Seattle Public Library, all day that day, which is a Saturday.
National Guild of Hypnotists
There will be talks and demos and participatory STUFF presented by a select few of top notch professional hypnotists and hypnotherapists in the Pacific Northwest. I’m presenting a talk on self hypnosis! C’mon down and get hypnotized. It’s free–though there are some classes/events to be included which are earmarked for hypnosis professionals and enthusiasts and those have a modest fee. Free is good. C’mon down!
2) There is a Hypnotherapy & Mind-Body Wellness Day happening on January 16th at the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. That’s also a Saturday. This could be your month of hypnosis-happening-Saturdays! 
I’m a part of this event as well. I am presenting a talk entitled: “New Year, New You! Managing Your Weight Through Hypnosis.” 2 pm. C’mon down. Meet me! Listen to my talk! Learn more! It’s all good!
Here’s more information on that:
Evergreen Medical Center on 1-16-10.
I do hope you can make the time to learn more about hypnosis, and attend either or both of these events, either for all day or a talk or two. BECAUSE…it’s powerful stuff. Hypnosis is! Good stuff. Who knows? You may just be delighted at what you learn, entranced enough to want to learn more, and perhaps make a move as I did, and incorporate this into your life!
Warm Regards,
Connie
More Musings About Weight Loss
Connie Brannan, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. TRUE! But I have some more words to say about this as well. I’m still thinking about weight and body image and self esteem and confidence and health and how hypnosis can improve all those things. Unrecognizably so, in some cases. Hypnosis works. Fantastically well. On so many things. But…especially, weight loss. That’s a topic dear to my heart. And hips. And chin (singular nowadays).
I’ve been having a slew of weight loss clients lately. And, you know, I LOVE THAT! Love it. They’re not waiting until the first of the year and New Year’s Resolutions, they’re moving forward on what they want. NOW! I love that. When you’re ready, you’re ready. Are any of you out there ready to change your life? You can, you know. And it’s not magic, and it’s not voo doo and it’s also not horrifically difficult–it’s simply you doing what you want. Do you want to lose weight? I can help. My tools can help. Those tools are hypnosis and NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming ™.
I often get together with groups of hypnotists, at trainings and at professional meetings. I’m not mentioning any names, but you know, there are some seriously obese hypnotists out there selling weight loss services. In my book, that’s incongruent. They aren’t “walking the talk.” I am. I do. I wouldn’t go to a chain smoking hypnotist to quit tobacco, either.
If you want serious, passionate, compassionate (I’ve been there, believe it!), dedicated, KNOWLEDGABLE, successful help with this issue, I’m your hypnotist. I know fat. I know all about it. A lifetime of knowing. Until I learned something else. Not fat. I can teach you not fat. Come learn with me! 
Wishing you health and success this holiday season, Connie
Healthy Hypnosis: Let Go of Weight – course at Bellevue College Continuing Education
Imagine yourself in your “skinny jeans.” Hear the compliments of your family and friends. Like what you see when you look in the mirror! Feel the energy! The hypnosis skills taught in this workshop can help you unleash the infinite power within you to achieve all this! You’ll learn to reprogram your own mind to act in ways you desire: healthy choices, healthy eating, motivation to exercise. It won’t be a struggle, and it’s not a “diet,” it’s simply doing what you want to do. Your mind and your body will be working together–for your health!!
As of this moment, there are still 5 seats remaining. I’d love to fill the room. Because, I BELIEVE in this, and I know it works. Who wants to jump start their New Year’s resolutions now? Why wait? Now is good. How about the strength and resolve to avoid all that food/treat/goodies temptation that comes with the holidays? You don’t have to gain weight this holiday season. You really don’t. You can start moving the other direction. Down, down, down.
I think I’ll bring some photo print-outs of me before I lost weight. As evidence that HYPNOSIS WORKS for so much, including weight loss. Yes, it does. And well.
Half the size.
Who else wants to sign up, c’mon down, and GET HYPNOTIZED!!? Follow the link above and you can! Hope to see you manana!
Warm Regards,
Connie
Cleaning out the closets
Connie Brannan, CHt., Master Hypnotist
The topic is weight loss! Mine, in particular. See, I’ve been using my own tools, hypnosis and NLP to work on my own “stuff.” Lifelong stuff. And…I’m happy to report: it’s working! Going great! 
I’m now officially half my former size. I’m not going to say the NUMBERS because it’s not primarily about the numbers, in my mind. In fact, I don’t even weigh myself. It’s about how I feel. How I look. Energy! Vitality! Life! Those things are improving every day.
Thus, time to clean out the closets. I went through my clothes closet the other day, trying things on that I haven’t looked at since last winter, to see if my favorite coats and sweaters were something to keep or donate. Most were “donate!” Some of them looked like clown suits on me, so large. I thought about keeping one, as a reminder, but no–off they go! I said “goodbye” (literally and out loud) to several garments that I had particularly loved. My brown suede blazer. Goodbye! My black wool “peacoat.” Goodbye! A favorite embroidered and beaded sweater which was hanging long on me like a dress. Goodbye!
Letting go is good. Letting go of things that are no longer needed or useful. Like the extra weight. Goodbye!
Gird yourself. 
Now, the sales pitch!! 
I love helping people with this issue of weight. Because I know all about it. I understand it. I’m living it! I’ve been dealing with it all my life. And now, I know first hand how powerful and successful the tools of hypnosis and NLP are in managing it, by quickly changing patterns and habits, changing thoughts, changing feelings, streamlining change in such natural, healthy ways that lets you feel good about yourself, your life, and your capabilities. I love it! Absolutely.
If you’re struggling with this issue, and have “tried everything,” (by the way, “try” = failure.) then perhaps it’s time to stop trying and start doing. Hypnosis is a fantastic way of doing change! It’s not “talk therapy,” it’s action therapy. If you’re serious about getting yourself on that right path, the one you want and deserve, I can help. Call me! All my contact info is here:
http://www.mindworkshypnosis.net/contact.html .
This is what I do, and I’m damn good at it!
Hiding behind the bag
Now, I’m going to put myself out there and show a “fat picture” to the world. Here’s a pic of me from a few years ago, pre-hypnosis, and here’s me, trying on my “pirate vixen” Halloween costume. 
As they say, the camera don’t lie!
Halloween Costume
All material herein is Copyright © Connie Brannan, CHt. & Licensed Trainer of NLP ® and my not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
