I know that I have written about commitment (that dreaded “C” word) in the past but it sure is an issue that can make or break weight loss. I had a call recently from a couple that are former clients. They again want to come back and start over. I had seen him in two previous series of sessions and her in one former series of sessions. In each of their first series they started out doing really well and each lost a significant amount of weight. But they both got distracted with traveling, golfing and life in general and never completed the Slender For Life Hypnotic Weight Loss Program. They both stopped using their self-hypnosis and of course the weight came back on. The other factor is that they both, especially the husband, stopped following the recommendations for eating and went back to eating what he wanted, which of course is how he got to be so over weight – obese in the first place. When he followed the recommendations of Dr. John McDougall, he had a great success with weight loss.

As much as I like them, I am hesitant to meet with them again, let along have them as clients. I get that what they really are after is a diet – a quick fix. You know what I am talking about, go through deprivation temporarily – treating obesity like a head cold and then when its over go back to the old behaviors – of course putting as much or more weight back on.

In my bookcase shuffle I came across Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman, MD. Its been awhile since I read this book and I had actually forgotten about it. The first page that I opened to (page 9) says this: “accept no excuse to fall off the wagon in the first six weeks. You can break the addiction only if you give your body a fair chance. do not say you will give it a try. Do not try; instead, make a commitment to do it right.

When you get married, does the religious figure or justice of the peace ask, ‘Do you swear to give this person a try?’ When people tell me they will give it a try, I say don’t bother, you have already decided to fail. It takes more that a try to quick addictions; it takes a commitment. A commitment is a promise that you stick with, no matter what.

Without that commitment, you are doomed to fail.”

In Becoming Slender for Life, I include the written Commitment form that I have all weight loss clients complete between their first and second sessions. I also urge you, and my clients to watch my video, Remember When. What would be so compelling about living your life at your ideal weight that would make eating less worth while? What would be so compelling about living your life at your ideal weight that would make eating more vegetables & whole grains worth while? What would be so compelling about living your life at your ideal weight that would make exercising more worth while? Why do you want to lose weight? (Remember, health is not a motivator).

If you really want to lose weight, hypnosis can make the difference. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. With hypnotherapy you can make your journey of losing weight and keeping your commitment so much easier and the best part is that with self-hypnosis, you can become Slender For Life!

My commitment to this couple, and to all my clients, is that I am willing to work hard – as hard as you are willing to work. but I learned long ago it does not work if I work harder than you. I will support this couple and I will support you in losing weight and maintaining your ideal weight throughout your life.

Speaking of try, Earl in MUTTS is giving his New Years Resolution a try. Are you commited to your New Years Resolutions or are you just trying?