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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Paul McKenna - I can make you thin/freedom from emotional eating

80 replies

misskatamari · 20/07/2021 13:17

Hi!

Just posting incase anyone else was using Paul McKenna methods, or was looking to start and have some support.

I was on a thread a few months back but have completely lost it now, so figured a fresh start might be a good plan.

I'm using the Paul McKenna app, and also have the freedom from emotional eating book, and I was feeling in a really good place and had started feeling so much more positive around food and about my body, but then old habits have crept in, so I need to restart, commit, and get myself back in the right headspace again. It would be great to have some others along for the ride.

The concept is very simple - eat when you're hungry, eat what you want, eat mindfully, stop when you're full.

I've slipped back into eating with distractions etc and stopped listening to my fullness cues as well as I had been, so I'm hoping I can get back on track with eating more mindfully!

OP posts:
Monestera · 31/07/2021 17:05

Good tips.

Day 5 for me and still going strong. Definitely eating a lot less, but eating quite a bit of crap. I'm also not eating my emotions. Could be that the track is sinking in.

What do people do when they're not hungry at all, but know that they're not going to be able to eat for hours and will be starving by the time they can eat again?

Original poster
misskatamari · 31/07/2021 19:37

I'm glad it's going well @Monestera! In that situation I would eat, as I know I would be hungry later. I wouldn't eat a full meal maybe, but enough to tide me over in whatever I was doing :)

OP posts:
Monestera · 01/08/2021 22:16

That’s probably the most sensible choice.

Day 6 done. Generally ok, but did eat some yogurt raisins quickly and non-carefully. Starting to wonder if this will actually work. Feels a bit too easy.

user1471596980 · 02/08/2021 08:33

You've inspired me to download the app. I read the book a while ago and it made sense and seemed to work but I just didn't give it long enough. I also have the worry about lunch breaks being dictated when I'm at work so having to eat then regardless of hunger or having to wait ages.

Monestera · 02/08/2021 14:10

Woke up feeling low. Ate healthy breakfast and unhealthy Coke and chocolate - wolfed them down Sad

It worked, I perked up, but I know if I don’t change my body won’t change.

Monestera · 03/08/2021 09:47

Feeling better today. Have listened to the track every single day for the first week, and been very motivated to keep active. I'm going to work on much smaller portions at every meal, because feeling bad about leaving food is making me eat more than I want/need to.

Not sure what to eat today. I really don't fancy anything.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 03/08/2021 13:48

I went to his seminar back in 1996. He is very good. That's where I got my 'I can make you thin' cassette tape from. That dates it !

So I've been listening to it on and off for 25 years !

Mindful eating and sensing my 'full signal' from my stomach has been most useful. Also, a renewed interest in exercise is good.

I used to do the hypnotherapy quite often until it felt like I was saying my prayers ! Meditating on the word of........Paul McKenna !

I keep meaning to get back to it. I copied the hypnotherapy from the cassette onto a dvd which I then downloaded to my laptop.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 03/08/2021 13:50

I purchased the Paul McKenna book, 'I can make you thin' which had his hypnotherapy on cd. I prefer the sound track and the wording on the original.

Monestera · 05/08/2021 22:13

I’m finding it tricky to stick to the last couple of days. I’m not planning healthy meals, then when I get hungry I generally eat something unhealthy.

I miss eating in front of the telly, so when I feel down I “treat” myself to a mindless meal.

Original poster
misskatamari · 06/08/2021 08:48

I've been a bit off the grid this week. Had family to stay (queue take always!) and also hurt my back, so I've not been anywhere near as mindful, but onwards and upwards!

I'm trying to keep in the mindset that every step I take in the right direction is progress, and is helping to change long ingrained habits. We're not perfect, and we've all no doubt been mindlessly eating, probably a bit past fullness, for a long time, so it's okay if we struggle and have days where old habits come to the fore. As long as we don't give up and beat ourselves up, then just chalk it up to a learning experience and carry on ❤️

One step at a time, one meal at a time, one evening where we don't mindlessly eat chocolate/crisps in front of the telly at a time, and we'll get where we want to be x

OP posts:
Monestera · 06/08/2021 11:01

Thanks miss, that's supportive and full of common sense.

Monestera · 08/08/2021 21:01

Day 13 and I can legitimately weigh-in tomorrow. I'm not hopeful.

However, spurred on by miss's encouragement I'm not going to give in. I'm going to persevere. Tomorrow I'm not going to eat anything that isn't from a plate, at the table, without any distractions.

Monestera · 09/08/2021 07:53

Weighed in and 2lb off. It's not the mega loss you'd expect to see at the beginning of most weightloss programmes, but it's very encouraging. Makes me realise that I can trust my body.
Still focused on today's goals - eating whatever I want, but it's got to be off a plate and at a table.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 09/08/2021 09:36

Nice one. Good loss. Good result.

JeffVaderneedsatray · 09/08/2021 16:46

Hi,
Can I just hop on and ask if anyone is using the app? I had the book years ago but can't find it. I also have no way of playing CDs bar our stereo system.
Last time I 'ripped' the CD onto my computer and then transferred to MP3 but my current computer has no CD player!
I was hoping to use the app but some of the reviews are a bit dodgy!

I've seen some reviews on Amazon saying the books now come with a code for a download so maybe that's an option.

Monestera · 09/08/2021 18:34

I agree about the app reviews being "varied". I borrowed an external drive to copy the CD to my laptop (and then on to my phone).

Original poster
misskatamari · 09/08/2021 21:00

That's great @Monestera! Slow and steady seems the way to go with this.

@JeffVaderneedsatray I'm using the app (iPhone) and it's decent enough, but I would say it's probably good to read the book if you can. I read the thin book years ago, can't find it now but do have the emotional eating one, which has some additional info and techniques. I find some of the "lessons" on the app a bit rushed, so I don't know how effective id find them if just using that. The audio is decent tho (although I don't think it has the different sounds on each ear). It does have a sleep ending tho which I like, as the book one wakes you up if I recall correctly

OP posts:
Jane411979 · 09/08/2021 21:11

Hi,
It's really great to see others talking about this way of eating. I first tried it years ago and it was transformational for me. I stopped obsessing over food for the first time I could remember. I've fallen back into old habits and have tried a few times since, but unsuccessfully. I'm determined to try again. It's lovely to have others to talk to about it with. I'm on holiday at the moment. I've binged for days and feel terrible. My instinct is to go on a strict diet. (You know the cycle)! However I want to enjoy good with my family, so I'm hoping I can make this work.

Monestera · 09/08/2021 22:15

I hope you do join us.

I have had a good day. Enjoyed coffee and cake with a friend, reached 20k steps etc. Only disappointment was a pizza for tea that was a bit overcooked.

ladygracie · 11/08/2021 22:17

@JeffVaderneedsatray I have the book on kindle and it does come with a code for the hypnosis.
I will be starting tomorrow. Need to lose an enormous amount of weight.

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 12/08/2021 08:22

Same @ladygracie, I’ve read some of the book but not listened yet, I put the code in online seemed to work.
Will be interested to see how everyone is getting on, health wise I need badly to lose weight and strengthen my body after a long period of ill health.

Monestera · 13/08/2021 10:26

Well I’m a bit gobsmacked. It seems be working. I’m eating whatever I want to eat, whenever I’m hungry. Compared with my previous healthy eating approach I’d say I’m probably eating fewer veggies and more chocolate but definitely eating fewer “binges” of takeaway or biscuits. I’d say that this is partly because the track addresses emotional eating and partly because I don’t feel I’m denying myself anything.

It seems to be 1lb a week, so no huge initial loss like you get on some diets.

OhMyChrist2020 · 13/08/2021 11:08

I caught a programme on channel 4 last night called Don’t Diet, Lose Weight which used visualisation techniques to help two women lose weight. A welcome change from the usual diet programmes.

OhMyChrist2020 · 13/08/2021 11:09

@Monestera 1lb a week is great, especially when you’re eating whatever you want and not feeling deprived 😃

Monestera · 13/08/2021 12:16

I'd seen that programme coming up, and am looking forward to catching up with it.