Hypnotherapy and your Inner Critic

You might be shocked to learn that your weight loss plans are more than likely sabotaged before you even start.  I know I was!  Georgia Foster, Clinical Hypnotherapist, believes that our inner thoughts subconsciously hold us back, a natural impulse protecting us from failure.  Our Inner Critic voice, as Georgia calls it, acts like a beacon constantly warning us of all the things that could go wrong.

Georgia shared the following information and fantastic advice during a phone interview last week (17th June 08).  A HUGE thank you to Georgia for being our first BodyBoffin and giving us access to some of her secrets.

I know personally that as soon as I say I’m going to go on a diet, my inner thoughts automatically yell back, ‘you’ll never stick to that’ or ‘you won’t lose any weight’ or ‘ you’ll always be bigger’.  And you know what, after 15 years of listening to such thoughts I now firmly believe them.  On top of this, the disapproval I feel towards my body is firmly etched into my mind.

Georgia emphasised that you can’t change your past but we don’t have to think this way anymore.  The key is learning to hear the Inner Critic voice and listen.  Hypnotherapy allows Georgia to help us access these deep inner thoughts and start training the mind to think differently.  The Inner Critic is a learnt behaviour and it’s not about rejecting your Inner Critic, it’s about listening to its voice.

**Note: the above picture of Georgia Foster has been copied from www.georgiafoster.com

It was really interesting to learn that the mind cannot differentiate between positive and negative, it just knows what it hears more often.  I hadn’t even though about it before.  Georgia explained that there’s only one voice and if it’s been programmed with negative thoughts about our abilities or the way we look then that’s what we’ll hear most.  The “slim, confident” part of us is still in there but can’t get out as the Inner Critic has become too loud.

As soon as I read the introduction to Georgia’s book The Weight Less Mind (Able Publishing) I knew I had to contact her.  Georgia talks about her personal journey to find peace with her mind and body after struggling with binge eating and yo yo dieting for years.  It was a powerful discovery to find that I’m not alone and that there are other people out there that don’t feel comfortable in their bodies.  Actually, if I’m honest, I got a little teary!

Georgia set off on a self discovery journey, to look for ways to learn to love herself and achieve her weight loss goals.  And you know what, she’s been a success, finding her answers in psychology theory and hypnotherapy, helping herself and many others.  Truthful inspiration!

I highly recommend getting a copy of Georgia’s book or at least taking a peak at the introduction which is a free download on her website … www.georgiafoster.com

For those of us that don’t have access to Georgia directly, she left us with these great tips:

• ‘For those that are stuck on the binge eating cycle, remember that one eating experience doesn’t have to infect the next, even if your Inner Critic is telling you ‘you’ve blown it’.
• Get rid of the scales!  they just reinforce the negative comments you’ve already got swirling inside
• Write down what you’re saying to yourself, take note of how you’re beating yourself up and be amazed at the power of negative thinking.’

It was fantastic to hear all about Georgia’s story and her strategies and tips for success.  You’ll soon be able to download the interview…