Can hypnosis help you control your weight or is it just a parlor game? If you are like most people, the first thought you have when you hear the word hypnosis is that of a magician making someone bark like a dog.

The word "hypnosis" is derived from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep, although hypnosis is not a state of sleep. Hypnosis is in no way a new practice. Stone carvings of sleep temples have been found dating back as far as 1000 B.C.

Hypnosis is nothing other than an altered state of consciousness in which a person is guided with suggestions. No, the hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything you do not want to do. You must understand that all of hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The only way you can be hypnotized is if you are willing to be.

The hypnotherapist does not take control over you. You are in control at all times. When you're in a hypnotic state, no matter how deep, and given a suggestion that would be against your will, morality or religious beliefs, you would do one of two things. You would either reject the suggestion and let it go or come completely out of the hypnotic state and challenge the hypnotherapist. The hypnotherapist cannot force you to do anything against your will. You must want to do it.

Hypnosis, in the 21st century, is more widely used by those in the healing professions, such as doctors, dentists, psychologists, chaplains, pastors and social workers.

Now, when it comes to weight loss, you know the drill -to lose weight eat less and exercise more. Burn more calories than you take in and you will lose weight. You have heard this a thousand times.

But is this what you really want to know? Of course not, your real question is "How do I actually make myself eat less and exercise more?"

By wanting to - sounds simple doesn't it. But did you know that if you have resistance from your subconscious mind you cannot control your conscious desires?

No matter how much will power you have or how much you really want to lose weight, if your subconscious mind is not on board, you will not be able to lose weight. Control your subconscious mind and you will lose that weight. By learning how to control your feelings, then you can control your behavior.

You see, when it comes to your preservation, protection or procreation, your subconscious mind may have its own ideas that don't support your conscious ideas. When this happens, you are unable to achieve your desired result, no matter how determined you may be.

Proof? Well, for one thing, you would not be overweight - you would just decide to lose weight and keep it off - right?

Now, how do you get your subconscious mind to change its thinking? How can we control our feelings and change our behavior? Self-hypnosis.

Remember, as stated above, the hypnotherapist cannot make you do something you do not want to do. With the correct application of self-hypnosis, you can take control of your weight where every other approach failed.

You see willpower, which is your attempt to consciously control your subconscious just will not work. By the use of self-hypnosis, you can change your subconscious mind, bring it into agreement with your conscious desires and achieve your weight loss goals easily - just as easily as it was to gain weight.

Once you take control of your attitudes and feelings, a whole new world opens to you. So many problems we experience in life are self-reinforcing cycles. Addictions (smoking, drinking), relationship problems (arguing, fighting), success and failure procrastination, lack of confidence) and more are all behavioral responses buttressed by emotions and subconscious attitudes.

So, is hypnosis a parlor trick or a legitimate treatment? If you want to lose weight, stop smoking, etc., then hypnosis will work - if you don't it will not. A parlor trick? Only if you want it to be - you see, you are in control of your mind, hypnosis just helps you reach your subconscious mind to get it on the same page as your conscious. But only if you want it!

Hypnosis changes the subconscious mind, brings it into agreement with your conscious desires. Once you are subconsciously motivated to lose weight and keep it off,you will.

Control your mind and the world is your oyster!

Valerie Slaughter, a veteran marathoner herself, runs a beginner marathon website and is the author of "You Want to Do What!?" For articles, tips and more information about how to stay fit, healthy and lose weight, visit: http://healthandfitnessnut.wordpress.com