CAN PAUL MCKENNA MAKE YOU THIN?

**An Encouraging Word, Vol. 17.5**

an occasional note from Jean Fain

 Harvard Medical School psychotherapist & hypnosis instructor

 Published April 14, 2008

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Read on if you’re interested in losing weight without the deprivation associated with dieting. Feel free to forward “An Encouraging Word” to a friend. If you didn’t receive this note directly from Jean Fain and you’d like to subscribe, send an email to the address above with the word “subscribe” in the subject field. If you’d rather not receive future announcements, send an email with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject field.

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Too Good To Be True…

When hypnotist Paul McKenna talks, dieters listen. That’s because the fast-talking Brit promises that he can help TV home viewers lose weight… simply by watching his new show, “I Can Make You Thin” (The Learning Channel). Are his claims too good to be true? Yes and no!

Yes! Viewers are likely to lose weight simply by following McKenna’s four sensible and refreshing golden rules:

1. Eat when you are hungry

2. Eat only what you want, never what you think you “should”

3. Eat consciously and enjoy every mouthful

4. Stop when you even think your body is full

McKenna’s show, especially the heart-felt testimonials, certainly inspires hope. My best friend has lost a few pounds watching a few episodes. But no, the charismatic tele-hypnotist’s more outlandish claims for long-lasting behavior change – stop craving sweets, rev up your metabolism -- are simply too good to be true. There’s no evidence to support that a handful of positive and aversive suggestions will cure a life-time of eating problems.

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I Can Make You Thin, But…

If you’re in need of a hope infusion, watch his show, but adjust your expectations.  And consider watching my YouTube parody, “I Can Make You Thin, But…” starring Sapphire, the mindful-eating kitty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwNySNSRfhw

No guarantees, but the video’s likely to put a smile on your face and keep a lid on your expectations.

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Food For Thought…

If all you did for the next two weeks was to slow your eating speed down to about a quarter of what it used to be and chew each mouthful thoroughly, you will find it easy to leave food on your plate.

-- Paul McKenna

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In addition to seeing clients in private practice, Jean Fain teaches hypnosis at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and she writes for O, The Oprah Magazine, among other women's magazines. More information about Jean Fain’s services and weight-loss CDs is available on her website (www.jeanfain.com).

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