LEWISTON – St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center will be offering Hypnosis for Weight Loss in October and November through their membership affinity groups Club W! and Club 50. This popular series uses the power of the mind to make positive changes for people struggling to lose weight.

The program will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10 and 17. For more information or to register, call 777-8823.

Hypnosis is a natural state of physical and mental relaxation and feels comfortable. In hypnosis, a person’s subconscious can be reached more easily. That part of a person’s mind is the storehouse of beliefs, attitudes, habits and emotions. Through hypnosis, those old beliefs, attitudes, habits and emotions can be accessed and replaced through new, healthier suggestions that fit a person’s current life and desires.

Hypnosis can be used for smoking cessation, stress reduction, phobias and weight loss. In this series, instructor Valerie St. Clair, certified hypnotherapist, focuses efforts on healthy eating, exercise, body image and weight loss. “The program helps people eat healthier, get more exercise, lose weight gradually, reduce stress and have a healthier lifestyle,” said St. Clair.

Hypnosis is not a cure-all for people but can play an important role in beginning a successful weight loss program and serving as a long-term solution to keeping weight off. “Hypnosis is another tool for people to use when facing the challenge of weight loss,” said Elaine DuMais, Club 50’s director. “It can really help increase your chances of sticking with a sensible diet, staying active, and focusing on a healthy lifestyle.”