According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the weight loss drug orlistat, marketed as Xenical and Alli, may increase the risk of serious liver damage.

Between 1999 and 2008 the federal agency has received 32 reports of serious liver injury in people who were taking orlistat. Of those injured, 27 required hospitalization and six had liver failure.

Orlistat blocks the absorption of fat in the stomach and small intestine, and by doing so reduces calorie intake. The most common side effects of Xenical and Alli are oily spotting, flatus with discharge, fecal urgency, fatty/oily stool, oily evacuation, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence, which is another way of saying that the drug can cause uncontrollable greasy diarrhea. For those who take the drug, this side effect is a powerful incentive not to eat fatty foods. It’s also likely why orlistat has not become a blockbuster weight loss drug.

As orlistat blocks absorption of fat, it also blocks absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and beta carotene. Women who take orlistat are advised to take a multivitamin.

Early Warning Signs of Liver Damage
One of the few clear early warning signs of liver damage is jaundice, a yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin. Other symptoms of liver damage can include weakness, fatigue, irritability, headaches, fever, brown urine, light-colored stool, an ache under the right rib cage, and itchiness on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet.

The simplest and safest way to lose weight is free, and free of harmful side effects: eat moderate amounts of wholesome food and get regular moderate exercise.

Women taking Xenical or Alli who experience side effects should report them to the FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Researchers studied the percent of body weight lost at 7 different follow-ups from 1-month to 18-months after the treatment. At the 3-month follow-up, all participants in the three groups had lost 2-3% of their baseline body weight. However, at the 18-month follow-up, the group receiving stress reduction hypnotherapy reported continued significant weight loss compared to no change in the other two groups. This study shows that when hypnotherapy is used in combination with stress management suggestions, weight loss is significant in the long-term (Stradling, Roberts, Wilson, & Lovelock, 1998).

In a meta-analysis of two studies involving hypnotherapy and weight loss, Kirsch (1996) found a significant difference in amount of pounds lost comparing participants who received hypnosis and those who did not receive hypnosis. The initial follow-up showed the average weight loss to be 6.00 pounds in the non-hypnosis group and 11.83 pounds in the hypnosis group. The last follow-up conducted with the studies showed that the non-hypnosis group lost an average of 6.03 pounds and the hypnosis group lost an average of 14.88 pounds. This meta-analysis showed that use of hypnotherapy more than doubles the pounds lost over time.

These studies indicate that hypnotherapy is a valid form of weight loss treatment and has lasting effects in the long-term. Hypnosis is an effective, natural method of losing weight with improved likelihood of keeping it off.

Sources:
Kirsch, I. (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments: Another meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 517-519.

Stradling, J., Roberts, D., Wilson, A., & Lovelock, F. (1998). Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorder, 22(3), 278-281.

A woman lost 55 pounds after undergoing hypnosis to implant memories of a gastric band surgery in her head.

“I’ve tried every other diet and exercise plan the world has to offer,” said the woman, Marion Corns. “Now I am able to shed up to three pounds a week because I believe I’ve had a band fitted into my stomach. Bizarrely, I can remember every part of the ‘procedure’ – including being wheeled into theatre, the clink of the surgeon’s knife and even the smell of the anesthetic.”

Corns underwent the hypnotherapy at the Elite Clinic in Spain, which was recommended to her by a friend who had gone there to quit smoking. The therapy involved a number of sessions in which she was familiarized with the procedure of a gastric band surgery, including a real surgical gastric band and stomach model. She then underwent several sessions of hypnosis, in which every stage of the surgery was narrated to her. She was made to touch the gastric band, while a recording of surgical tools played in the background. The hypnotherapists also pumped smells into the room to simulate those found in the operating and recovery rooms of a hospital.

After her first hypnosis session, Corns began to lose weight, just as if she had undergone the real surgery.

“Now if I try and eat a large portion I feel a pulling sensation in my tummy as if my stomach is stretching,” she said. “I simply cannot eat large portions of food any more.”

Clinic owner Martin Shirran said that health insurance should cover the gastric band hypnotherapy as an alternative to true surgery and with fewer side effects.

Jacqui Lowdon of the British Dietary Association cautioned that such therapy is not without risks, however.

“If this works and people can achieve the same kind of weight loss without surgery, it is important they are getting the correct dietary advice as well,” she said. “It is also important to have a target weight and to know what your ideal weight is.”

Sources for this story include: www.foxnews.com.

Been listening to my hypnosis CD on Getting Organized for Weight Loss. That’s a good one for me right now because I have to constantly make sure I have the right foods on hand to make my mealtimes as efficient as possible. I make most of my meals, but generally make enough for two or three meals. I always bring my lunch to work with me. Today I have a homemade stew strictly adhering to The Cancun Diet list of allowable foods. It’s tasty, filling, and healthful. For breakfast I had a fruity protein shake, and for dinner, probably I’ll be eating a Chile Relleno, maybe two.

Occasionally, I’ll go to In and Out and have one of those lettuce-wrapped double-doubles.

What I love about this diet is being able to eat fruit. You know, this is summertime and the markets are filled with fresh, ripe, delicious watermelon, berries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, cherries, melons, apricots, and all the rest! This is the easiest time of the year to eat right, and lose weight. The Cancun Diet is wonderful because it fits like a glove with SoCal’s beach attitude.

What I really love about the Cancun diet is that it seems to be targeting my midsection-belly fat. That has been my biggest problem area – definitely the most uncomfortable. I feel much freer in my clothes, sitting in a theater chair, and even just putting on the seatbelt in the car.

If you haven’t tried hypnosis for weight loss, I’ll bet you’ve at least heard about it, or thought about it. We address concerns such as roller-coaster weight history, nutrition, exercise, snack addiction, self-image, self-esteem, plateaus, and much more.

I know that from where you stand, it might be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been there, it can be so hard to get motivated! It has been suggested that curing cancer is easier than curing obesity.

It’s understandable. Old fashioned weight loss treatment was a deprivation diet, which no one likes. And while some people may stay on it long enough to lose weight, they have done nothing about their weight problem but get smaller. The actual problem part – you know, the bad eating habits, and sedentary lifestyle – almost always remain behind, rearing their ugly heads almost immediately after the person stops doing whatever weird things they were doing to lose the weight. Hypnosis makes a difference. You see, while dieting changes you from the outside-in, hypnosis changes you from the inside-out! You see food differently. You see yourself differently.

The studies are in that people who use hypnosis tend to lose more weight than people who don’t use it, but more importantly, they keep it off longer, too!

If you are in the position of being overweight and uncomfortable with it, stop doing the same old things about it and let’s chat. Give me – Gina – a call at (760) 233-8800, and we’ll set up a free evaluation to get your history, and answer all your questions about hypnosis.

FOX Hypnosis / Hypnosis Training International – Since 1999.
120 West Grand Avenue, Suite # 204
Escondido, California 92025
(760) 233-8800

WWW.EnterHypnosis.com

But I’ll tell you what’s making it easier than ever: physically feeling GREAT!

You see, My BODY feels SO wonderfully amazing! Losing those first ten pounds I literally feel ten years younger! Listen, since regaining those forty-odd pounds I had been suffering joint pain very bad (especially the lower back, knees, and ankles), and glucosamine and msm didn’t help one iota. I was in joint pain whenever I walked, got up from the sofa, got out of the car…taking stairs had become a step-at-a-time venture. I worried that I was headed towards immobility. Pain is an debilitating energy-zapper!

But now, I have NO Pain anymore since losing that ten pounds. I am so relieved. I couldn’t imagine the difference losing just ten pounds could make!!! Believe me if you had told me that losing ten pounds would make this kind of difference, I wouldn’t have believed it. But it’s true!! There is a difference today in my energy level, the way I carry myself, my confidence, even the rest I get from sleep!

Nothing can entice me to backtrack from my goals! There is a saying, “What has been seen, can never be unseen.” I have seen the pain, and the difference losing a few pounds can make! I am SO inspired to take this all the way!!!!

You can join me on this journey. Whether you have ten, or a hundred pounds to lose, we can do it together! Call me to schedule a free evaluation, (760) 233-8800. We have private, or Saturday afternoon group sessions available.

I am such an advocate for this! My life has been changed wonderfully and I am a stand for you to find your freedom, too!

Hypnotically yours,
Gina Fox, CHT

FOX Hypnosis / Hypnosis Training International – since 1999.
120 West Grand Avenue, Suite # 204
Escondido, California 92025
(760) 233-8800
www.EnterHypnosis.com

Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100, this group addresses your individual issues.

The class is made up of four parts.

Maximize focus and commitment.
Redefine self-image.
Adopt new relationship with nutrition and exercise.
Hypno-programming for motivation and success.

At the first session each new member will receive a copy of our exclusive Cancun Diet Plan, and an amazing take-home hypnosis CD.

Please call (760) 233-8800 for a free evaluation. Private sessions also available. Since 1999.

Hypnotically yours,

Gina Fox, CHT
HypnoLean Groups
120 West Grand Avenue, Suite # 204
Escondido, California 92025
(760) 233-8800

www.EnterHypnosis.com

M. Beck, “Taking Pains with a Painkiller”, Wall Street Journal, D1, July, 7, 2009

“FDA advisers vote to take Vicodin, Percocet off market”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/30/acetaminophen.fda.hearing/index.html

Personally, I think hypnosis is the way to go. No staph infections, no invasive procedures, no
highfalutin medical bills!

Till later!
Gina Fox, CHT

www.EnterHypnosis.com

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”
- Lao-Tzu

I love this young Harvard medical student. Brilliant young man. (He comes on right after the moment with the ducks…) Watch this video if you have a desire to know more about vitamin D. I am also starting to hear of studies supporting that vitamin D deficiency contributes to obesity. Go get some sun – is that so hard to do?

BTW – For more info on the speaker check out his YouTube profile:
http://www.youtube.com/user/usmedstudent

Dear Reader,

Thanks for coming around. Forgive me for being absent for too long, but I’m back again. My new year resolution is to get back to the gym on a regular, 6 day a week basis.

Oprah’s Falling Off the Wagon show this past Monday got my juices flowing. The show focused on her struggles with her illness-related 40 lb weight gain. Her acute insight and frankness made the show riveting for me. It’s not often she talks about her deepest insecurities, and personal issues. You could see in her face that she wasn’t entirely comfortable admitting she has these self-doubts, and that made her sharing more of a gift.

At one point she reflected back on a show where she featured Cher and Tina Turner and with hurt flashing in her eyes she unfavorably compared her plus-size body to their older but fitter ones. She admitted that she’d been sticking to head shots for her O magazine covers. As they showed the covers as examples of how she’d been ducking from showing her rounder shape I think I even saw one cover of a child. Had she resorted to using childhood pics? I don’t know for sure, but she is the only cover girl for her rag, and I am pretty sure I caught a glimpse of one cover that had a little girl on it. I don’t normally buy the magazine but I imagine she made it relevant and scored by talking about childhood stuff.

She reminisced about when she had been gorgeously hard-bodied. In one clip from the past she’s wearing a short shirt which shoes off her flat, tight belly and she’s glowing with joy and pride! She’s laughing and says something like, “Look at me I’m fifty and showing off my belly!” She recalls fondly her stunning cover girl days, then gets present and says sadly, “I thought I had it – and then life happened.”

Anyway, I can totally relate to her self-dissatisfaction with her weight gain. I, too have had a weight gain of 40 lbs over the past 2 years. My weight gain also was influenced by an illness. Ten years ago I lost 200 lbs. Up to two years ago I was very fit – going to the gym 6 days a week, eating very little junk food. I was at my peak, and then to quote Oprah, “I thought I had it, and then life happened.”

What happened to me was a deadly jacuzzi-bacteria blood infection. It impaired my immune system and caused all sorts of debilities rendering me unfit for strenuous gym workouts. My lack of exercise showed up on the scale. I’m healthier now, and realizing I need to get back to the gym, but I also know my limitations. I had been trying to start back up where I’d left off, and I finally get that that’s not going to happen. At least not without probable injury. I have to start slowly and build into a new, powerful routine.

What happened to Oprah? Apparently she had become Vitamin D deficient which probably contributed to a thyroid condition. The thyroid illness affected negatively her metabolism and energy levels. The thyroid condition took a toll on her exercise regimen and caused frustration and despair. Oprah then fell into that bad conversation many of us are familiar with called “What’s the use?” and ate like there was no hope. The added calories and lack of exercise led to a depressing weight gain of 40 lbs.

Now, if you know me, you know I have been harping or should I say Harpoing (sorry, that was bad) about how many of us ARE vitamin D deficient which can lead to all kinds of nasty little disorders. Think about this – we have all become so scared of the sunshine we avoid it, and yet skin cancer is on the rise. What’s up with that? As a result we have become a nation of vitamin D deficient sun-avoiders. I myself am supplementing with a delicious liquid vitamin D that is based in concord grape juice. And I try to get all the sunlight I can. I love getting my D.

Anyway, back to Oprah. The bottom line is her 90 lb weight loss success can still be considered a major accomplishment. Keep in mind she has managed to keep 50 or so lbs off!! For like 10 years – maybe more!! That in itself is incredible. In fact, anyone who knows about weight loss success knows it frequently happens that way – lose 100 lbs, regain fifty. Lose fifty, regain 20. Lose 20, regain 5 – and that’s perfectly typical. Time, and persistence are definite factors in achieving weight loss mastery.

Especially since LIFE does have a way of getting in the mix. The important way to remain being is persistent and conscious. I wish I could talk to her about using hypnosis to make this weight loss effort more fun, more conscious, and more effective. More on that in the next edition. Coming soon.

For more information on the episode and her striving visit her website: Oprah.com

Till later!
Gina Fox, CHT

FOX Hypnosis / Hypnosis Training International
120 West Grand Avenue, Suite # 204
Escondido, California 92025
(760) 233-8800

WWW.EnterHypnosis.com

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”