Exclusive | Two easy self-hypnosis tricks to stick to your New Year’s diet and fitness resolutions

You’re getting very sleepy… thinking about how much effort it’s going to take to stick to your healthy New Year’s resolutions.

But Hollywood hypnotherapist and holistic coach Maria Freeman has shared some tips that will make it easier to eat healthy, move more, lose weight, or whatever else it is you’ve committed to doing in 2025.

Freeman detailed the “hidden beliefs and thought patterns” that “set you up for failure” and broke down two self-hypnosis techniques that can help you retrain your brain.

“When it comes to weight loss, eating better, or sticking to a workout routine, there’s often a
hidden flip side that sabotages us,” Freeman told The Post.

“We make promises to ourselves, like, “I’ll eat better, I’ll exercise more, I’ll stick to my goals this time,” but we end up binge eating, avoiding workouts, or feeling trapped in a cycle of guilt and frustration.

“The core problem is often a subconscious program — something deep inside that keeps us repeating the same unhealthy patterns.”

For example, you may have decided that starting this year, you’ll only eat healthy food. Freeman says that’s great in theory, but in reality, “you’ve set yourself up for failure” with three “hidden beliefs and thought patterns.”

• The All-or-Nothing Mindset: “I’m either eating junk food and being unhealthy, or I’m eating only bland, tasteless veggies.”
• The Limiting Belief: “Healthy food is boring and unappealing.”
• The Harsh Inner Voice: That inner “parent” telling you to follow strict rules. But harsh restrictions rarely work; they often lead to rebellion or burnout. The more you force yourself, the more likely you are to slip back into old habits.

“If you believe that eating healthy or exercising is hard, you’re likely to resist it subconsciously,” Freeman explained. “This resistance keeps you stuck in a toxic cycle of shame and self-sabotage. But when you reprogram your subconscious mind, you can break free.”

Luckily, there are two techniques you can use at home to fix this.

“With self-hypnosis, you can change your mindset and rewire the thoughts that keep you stuck,” she said.

Positive programming with visualization

“This technique works by imagining yourself as someone who loves taking care of their body,” Freeman explained. “You’re not forcing yourself to do something you hate — you’re visualizing the person you want to be.”

1. Find a quiet space, sit down, and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to relax.
2. Roll your eyes upward and hold them at the top while you count down slowly from 50 to 0. As you breathe more slowly, feel yourself sinking into relaxation.
3. As you hold your eyes up, visualize yourself feeling a deep love and appreciation or your body. See yourself enjoying healthy meals, feeling energized from exercise, and thriving in your healthy lifestyle.
4. Picture yourself as someone who wakes up full of energy, excited to make healthy choices. Imagine feeling confident, strong, and happy in your own skin.
5. Open your eyes slowly. Repeat this exercise in the morning and before bed for best results.

Create your own self-hypnosis recording

Freeman recommends ordering a personalized self-hypnosis recording from her or another hypnotherapist, but it is possible to make your own in a quiet space at home.

Start by counting from 0-10, breathing deeply with each number. You can play relaxing music in the background.

Then speak out positive statements that aren’t just about the goals you want to reach, but how you can change your thinking about getting there. Some suggestions:

• “Every day, I love and appreciate my body more and more.”
• “I am consistent, loving, and disciplined with my goals.”
• “I choose healthy, energizing food that nourishes my body.”
• “My body is a temple, and I take care of it with love and respect.”

“Play your recording before bed, when your mind is the most suggestible, to help reprogram your subconscious mind,” Freeman said. “Don’t forget to do it every day for the best results.”

Other solutions

Diving “deeper into your subconscious mind” to identify the trauma, beliefs, or memories that are hindering you — and replacing them with healthier and more empowering thinking — can also help, but that requires a bit more work.

Freeman says it’s typically done with more guidance from a therapist, though she offers a free masterclass on the subject.