Medical hypnosis has been around for a long time, but every once in a while it gets ‘remembered’ and we get a slew of information about how self-hypnosis will change our lives. (The cynical side of me knows how much money is made by the ‘weight loss’ industry and isn’t surprised.)
The Self-Hypnosis Diet stands out from the crowd. In a positive way. While dealing with the core issues of self-esteem and hating the body (so common in those of us who are overweight), the Gurgevichs don’t waste a lot of time trying to tell us why we’re overweight. Instead, they know that *we* know and we can make the changes that will bring us back into a healthy place.
Dr. Gurgevich is a member of the faculty at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, where he is the Director of the Mind-Body Clinic and teaches mind/body medicine to physicians. His wife is the creator and director of The Joy of Food. She received her degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona, where she is nutritional consultant and preceptor at Dr. Andrew Weil's Program in Integrative Medicine. These people “walk their talk.”
Their so-called program is based on positive affirmations, coupled with increased attention to listening to ourselves. Our perfect weight is unique to us. It’s not on a chart based on height. Or found in a table of caloric measurements. The companion CD reinforces our positive feelings and increases the communication between body and mind. I say ‘so-called program’ because there isn’t a lot of rules. They recommend that you read the first three chapters, then listen to the CD. Reading the rest of the book is optional, as is when you listen to the CD. (They say it’s optional, but you want to – it’s full of great motivation and information.)
If you want to improve your health by listening to your body’s needs rather than following (yet another) program, taking pills (prescription or OTC), or calculating quantities (amounts of calories) then I highly recommend The Self-Hypnosis Diet.
~review by Lisa Mc Sherry
Author: Steve Gurgevich and Joy Gurgevich
Sounds True, 2007
pp. 224, $21.95
includes CD
