Frequently Asked Questions

I created this blog as a way to interact with others who are following the Key Hypnosis weight loss program and the contributions have been greatly rewarding. Without the rest of you participating, this would be a lonely blog.

A few months after I started this program, I was visiting my friends in California and they asked me what diet I was on. My reply was this: "If I look different the next time you see me, ask me what I did." Trying to explain to others what I was doing felt too personal and it sounded like hocus-pocus. I couldn't find the words to explain the changes that were happening.

Truthfully, after my first session, I wasn't sure what I'd gotten myself into. Within a week I realized that, for the first time in my life, it was easy for me to follow a weight loss program. I felt incredible. I was energized. A year after later, I dropped from a size 30/32 to a size 22. Today I'm a size 14/16, which this is not my goal size, but I'm determined to reach my goal.

When you start the program, take a lot of photos. Sometimes we can't see the changes ourselves, so those photos will serve as a great reminder of how far you've come on your journey. This is especially true if you hit a plateau, and one day you may want to share your story on this blog and it would be wonderful to see your progress from the start to the end of your journey.


When I began this blog in September 2011, I wrote What's this Blog All About, but that post doesn't answer specific questions about the program. I don't work for Julie and I'm not qualified to explain the program, so if you have questions about this program, please call the office. 

The content on this blog is the opinions of the contributors and followers of this blog and are not official statements from the Key Hypnosis Program, Julie Kibe, or her staff. 

63 comments:

  1. Very nice job explaining this Theresa!!! Thank you!! We really can't write to many specifics on this program on here, as you said, we don't work for Julie and I would never want to give out the wrong info either.

    Julie's videos are well worth watching and I watch them over again at times when I just need to regroup quickly! and I LOVE reading her guest book on her website, and I LOVE this blog!! I check it numerous times a day to see if anyone has written.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous2/14/2012

    Sorry to have ruffled your feathers by asking my questions. You said you waited three months. I have now waited 5 months and was just told it might not be until late March or April which would then be 7 months. I was just so desperate to get started (I'm very heavy and very unhealthy), but I will not comment on anything else. Sorry to have bothered you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You didn't ruffle my feathers and I was trying really hard not to ruffle yours (or anyone else asking for more details). If I had found this blog when I was waiting, I too would have asked questions, because I wanted to start something (anything) asap. I appreciate where you are and I am sorry your wait is so long.

      You didn't "bother" me at all and I hope I didn't anger you away from the program or this blog.

      Delete
    2. My apologies if I have offended you. I really am afraid to answer to many questions because if I ever gave the wrong info, I would feel terrible. I am sorry. Please continue to post. I hope you get your appointment soon. I would love to 'talk' with you. I think if you click on my name you could send me a personal email and I would love to visit with you more.

      Delete
    3. anonymous PLEASE email me!!!!!!!! lindalanz@snet.net

      Delete
  3. Anonymous4/11/2012

    Hello,
    I began my journey with Julie on February 9, 2012. I am frustrated by my results. I expected to be much smaller by now. My friend started the same week as me, in a different class, but is shrinking before my eyes. Everyone comments on her success. Not one person has noticed my loss, even I only feel a little bit smaller. Any advise?

    Thank you,
    Toni
    tonibruso@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Toni! Welcome! How funny you wrote this now, because I have been working on a blog post about patience. Not my greatest virtue, but one we need. Especially me!!!

    Depending on how much weight you have to loose, how old you are, your life style and I personally think what types of meat you eat (lean fatty) our loses will certainly be different. In my refresher I had in Jan. Julie compared herself with 2 other women that were size 6 or 8 I can't remember. All 3 of them looked totally different. One looked extremely thin, one had a very wide back, one had much bigger hips and so on. We do not all lose weight the same. Find Theresa's blog post about grey areas. She posted in Feb. called inside my refrigerator. Have you strayed into grey areas on program.

    So many things to think about, but I am assuming people will be noticing soon. Sounds like around the 2 month mark or so is when most people started being noticed. And if not, I am sure it will happen soon.

    Feel free to email me if you want to chat about this. Click on my name and it should give you my email address.

    Stay on program, it truly will start showing!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous5/16/2012

    Hi there- not really sure how to post this so hope it gets moved where I can get more input. I started the program on Valentine's day and in less than 3 months, I've had great results. I don't know what I've lost, but do know that my BMI is now down in the low "normal" range and I've dropped a solid 3 sizes.

    My question is health related. I had to go to doctor today with palpitations, headache and jitters and, when she discovered what my diet was, indicated that it did not sound healthy to her and she ordered lots of blood work and urinalysis to rule out ketosis. An EKG was normal, as was my blood pressure and pulse. I've also had a real problem with nightime foot and leg cramps so have been taking potassium (when I remember to). Can anyone advise if they've had similar issues?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8/13/2012

    Hi Anonymous,
    I have had leg cramps as well. I asked if I could drink a little bit of tonic and she said that if I was having the cramps yes because your body would know it's for medicinal reasons. I would have about 6 oz. the days of the cramps and she said that the dark leaves of Romaine lettuce have more potassium then a banana.
    Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1/05/2013

      this is going to sound silly but trust me it works amazingly....keep a bar of dove soap nearby where you sleep or sit on the couch...when you get a leg cramp put the unwrapped bar of soap on the cramped area, within seconds the cramp is gone. I have been doing this for over a year. Some people sleep with bar of soap under their sheet.

      Delete
  7. Kathleen8/20/2012

    I would like to know if anyone has failed. I started the program August 7th and I failed miserably after 4 days. I'm back on the wagon and although I don't have cravings I'd still like to enjoy occassionaly some of the foods that made me so big. Any advise?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9/23/2012

    I am almost one week into this journey. I am amazed at how I can walk into Costco and could care LESS what samples are being offered. I walk down near the bakery section of the grocery and I am NOT enticed by the aromas. I feel good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9/24/2012

    I am attending my 3 rd session this week and was wondering if fruit will be allowed soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fruits are an option when you get to maintenance.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous9/25/2012

    I have lost over 80-lbs so far and yes i've look to see what i've lost sorry. Also i have added fruit to help me and it's still working out great. i couldn't keep going the way i started it was way to hard but i am not sorry for going to her class and spending the money it has helped me a ton. good luck to the rest of you and keep the faith!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations on your weight loss - how fantastic! I suspect others also have parts of the program we don't follow 100%; we do what we can do and what works best for us.

      My biggest struggle is with eating too much cheese and I've probably lost 100 pounds by now. I know the cheese factor is what slows down my weight loss, but I continue to lose weight over time. There may be a point when I let go of the cheese so I can get to the size I want. Meanwhile, my weight loss is slow, but it is coming off.

      Thanks for sharing your truth and keep up the good work.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for all this great information. I have been very successful so far and have been on the program since September 2012. How do I connect with the Facebook support group?

      Delete
    3. Not sure how to get connected with the Facebook support group.Thank you for your helpful information.

      Delete
    4. Go to Facebook, find JoAnne Young, and send her a message to ask her to add you to the group. You may need to ask to be her friend and send the message at the same time.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1/05/2013

      I cannot find you or Joanne Young on facebook....please let me know how to find either of you. There are multiple women with your names but I don't see a Hartford location or even a location in MA. thanks for all your wonderful words of wisdom!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10/09/2012

    Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
    my webpage > useful source

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous10/10/2012

    Hello, 8 months ago (Feb 2012)quinoa was acceptable as a source of protein (it was talked about at a refresher session) and now (Oct 2012) it's not (as per sharing info w/new folks). Does anyone know if we can eat it or not?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I had issues with corn and couldn't eat it, so Julie said for me to have a small amount of quinoa instead. This was a special adjustment for me, not the rest of the group. Things change sometimes, but I suspect quinoa is not allowed unless she gave it to someone as an alternative to corn.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11/02/2012

    does Julie take credit cards or do a payment plan? I'm desperate to lose weight and know many people who have succeeded with Julie's Program but I just can't afford her at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous11/05/2012

    I am attending my first class with Julie on Thursday. I have just finished my second and last class for smoking and it's working great, since my first class I haven't smoked.
    I was wondering if anyone else has done the smoking and food so close together.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Does anybody know if Tonic water is ok to drink? A couple of glasses a day? Thanks for your input.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No tonic water, but you can have unflavored seltzer or mineral water. Add fresh lemon and/or limes.

      Delete
    2. Theresa, thank you so much. I guess I knew deep down but I needed to hear it from a reliable source.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous3/22/2013

    Any vegetarians on the program? I just started and did not know that the protein is only animal protein. Makes it difficult if not impossible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,
      Sorry, I don't have any ideas for you. This is something you need to talk with Julie about during your sessions. If you've done all three classes, then call the office and ask.

      When I started this program I didn't like meat at all. Julie told me she couldn't
      make me like meat. I asked about the few meat items I liked in my first night of class. Meatballs? Meatloaf? Yes, breadcrumbs inside these foods are okay. Breadcrumbs on the outside of foods - no. Pepperoni? Yes, just watch your fat intake when you have pepperoni.

      Over time my meat menu has expanded to include ribs and eventually steak. I never would have eaten these things before, but today I really enjoy them. My body has responded well to all this meat. I am healthier now than I have been in years. Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a main staple in my diet for so long, never satisfied me like meat does. B&J left me in a comma most evenings. Meat gives me energy.

      Good luck to you. I hope you find a way to proceed in your weight loss journey that works for you and is sustainable.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4/09/2013

      Thanks - Julie said her program is not for vegetarians (so I am a bit puzzled why her people don't say that when they get a call from a vegetarian) and she offered me a refund if I left at the beginning of the second session. I chose to stay even though I can't do the program properly because losing the craving for sweets is worth it and I am losing just not as quickly as others. So we'll see.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous3/30/2013

    Someone may have posted this before but quickly going through I didn't see a post on this topic.

    This week my family had the stomach bug that lasted for days. Myself included. I am now over two months with the hypnosis and have been doing great...up to this point. I tried just eating chicken broth and staying hydrated with water. I just found that I was not getting my energy back. The thought of eating protein made me nauseous. I finally broke down and started to eat some saltines and drank pedialite. I quickly got my energy back but sure enough that made those darn Army men come running out. 3 days off (and I would love to say I just ate saltines but I would be lying) and today I am back on and feeling better.

    What is done is done and I hope I have not messed up my hypnosis too much. I live far away and do not want to have to travel (or pay!) for a refresher.

    Has anyone else faced this? Is there a way to stay on the plan yet be able to get better?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous, I posted your question here so that more people can see your question and respond:

    http://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2013/04/stomach-bugs.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous4/29/2013

    Hello All,

    I have my first session last week and I can't wait for the second one. I am a type 2 diabetic and have already seen a better reading.

    Any suggestions besides eggs for breakfast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome!! How exciting you have started the program! It is a GREAT journey!!! Keep us posted on how you are doing!!

      As far as breakfast goes, I eat anything for breakfast, as long as I am hungry! Today I am having chicken breast. Most days I don't eat my first meal until after 10 or 11 am as I am not hungry. For me, and everyone else I know on this eats anything as long as you are within Julie's guideline!

      Good luck and please keep us posted!!!!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous6/19/2013

    Hi,

    I started 7 months ago. I lost 2 or 3 pants sizes in the first few months. I haven't seen any change in about 3 months, but I am still satisfied with the diet plan. Should I do a refresher or just be patient? i would really like to lose one or two more pants sizes, honestly. I feel great and could probably do this forever. It's easy except I have a hard time not eating the same foods. It's tough to get creative. Any advice would be appreciated!

    thanks,

    patiently waiting for the plateau to pass....

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations on your success! If you're only 1-2 more sizes to lose, sometimes the weight loss slows down.

    Part of this program is learning to change out your menus, otherwise your mind/body thinks you're on a diet and it will hold onto the weight.

    Are there any areas you could "clean up." For example, are you eating veggies bite-for-bite to meat? Eating more veggies will cause a plateau.

    A refresh is a great idea when you find you're not losing weight anymore, as you can ask Julie for help. Plus she covers what you learned in the first three session in one class.

    Best to you in your continued success. I get what you're saying about doing this forever - this is how I feel too!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous7/04/2013

    I love this website! All the questions that come up are the same as everyone else, and it is so helpful to know we are not alone. I started in November of 2012 and made my husband do this with me through the holidays. (I thought he was going to kill me! :)) But he was on two blood pressure meds, one cholesterol med, and stomach medicine. His blood pressure and cholesterol are great and his doctor may take him off all of it soon. That alone makes it all worth it.
    We both did great the first three months, losing 2 pants sizes. Then nothing.... I thought it was a plateau, because we have not cheated. But now we are 5-6 month into this "plateau" and I have snapped out of denial. It's time for a refresher. We go in a few weeks. As I take a closer look at our eating habits, I think my problem is too much cheese, and I should just focus on eating meat. I hope to get back on track. I have no desire to go back to what we used to eat, but I want to finish what we started and lose another two pant sizes.
    I have one questions for you. Milk is my best friend when I cannot find meat or eat anything at work. Is there a limit to how much skim milk I drink? (praying you say no :))

    thanks again! Your site is fantastic!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous, Thanks for sharing the story of you and your husband's weight loss success and congratulations to both of you!

      Yes, mIlk is unlimited and it doesn't have to be skim milk - it can be whole milk. It's half and half that Julie says no to. So enjoy your milk!

      Would you like to have your story added to my Hero series? It's very real and inspiring. I can post what you wrote above, but it would be great to include photos. People love to see before and after shots. I'd rather have your story without a photo than not at all, so if your not comfortable with photos, no problem. Names are optional as well.

      Send me an email and we can flush out the details.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous, you sound like most of us on here!!! I am a VERY slow looser and cheese is turning into my enemy!!

      You and your hubby have done GREAT!!! Congratulations!!

      REFRESHERS are worth every penny!!!!! Wish I could go weekly!

      Please consider telling your story as Theresa asked!! We LOVE stories!!! Not all success stories have to be at goal, the success of following program for so long and still being on it is a success story in itself! There are also hero stories that will have before and on the way pictures, our after pictures have yet to be taken!!!! LOL!

      Thanks for posting! So nice to hear from someone else!!!!!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7/05/2013

      Great! I don't mind sharing our jouney. I don't have before pictures necessarily, but am happy to share our progress. I am so proud of my husband. He has really become a great role model for our children as well. We go for our refresher in a few weeks. I am really looking forward to it! I want to really get back on track.

      thanks again,

      Delete
    4. Thanks - I just posted your story here:
      http://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2013/07/anonymous-heroes.html

      Hope you don't mind I added a photo of an anonymous couple in a photo I took while in Italy.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous12/28/2014

    Thank you so much Theresa for this blog. It is a great resource when I just want to connect with someone who understands the key way of eating. I have been following the plan for two months now and have lost one pant size. I feel great and have followed the plan precisely for 99% of the time. My only stumbles have been one afternoon on vacation where I had a margarita and some fried food (!!!). I felt so crummy the next day that I don't want to do that again. Here's my latest problem though: I am obsessing about weighing myself. I am so curious as to how much weight I have lost that it is distracting me all day long. I have not stepped on the scale, but I am soooo tempted. Anybody else go through this? Does it go away? Thanks -- and best wishes to everyone for a successful 2015!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yes anonymous, many of us experience the scale calling us to hop on. Treat this the same as you do cravings: push away those thoughts. Don't give in to the scale. Knowing how much you weigh is telling your body how much weight to gain back - you don't want to do that!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous2/19/2015


    I went to key in Sept 2014. I couldn't stay on so I went for a refresher in Jan and yet again fell off. I am wondering why I have such a hard time when everyone I talk to seem to be doing great. What am I doing wrong? Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous,
    I wrote today's post with you in mind. Focus on your own journey and never mind how others are progressing. Stay the course and you'll get there too!

    Finish What You Start
    http://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2015/02/finish-what-your-start.html

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous3/18/2015

    I finished the program about 2 weeks ago and am wondering how long it takes to start seeing big results? I definitely feel my clothes getting loose but don't feel like I have lost yet. I have been following the program to a tee and am just curious how long most people go before they start shrinking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,
      Congratulations for stepping up in your life and deciding to take off your extra weight.

      Congratulations for the changes that have already started happening for you. Two weeks is a very short time to be see changes, so the fact that you feel things getting looser on you is a good sign!

      Keep doing what you're doing and you'll see more changes. How soon? Well this depends on many things, one of course is your starting size.

      For me, starting in a size 30/32 it took about 3 months before I started seeing my weight loss and it took 9 months to a year for some of my friends and family to see the changes.

      This is not a race or a competition, so be gentle on yourself. Let go of the questions "how long before I see a difference?" and "how long will it take to reach my goal size?" It will take as long as it needs to take.

      If your plan is to reach your goal size and stay there for the rest of your life - what's the rush? You only need to do this once and then you're done! Stay the course and you will reach your goal.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous11/17/2015

    I started this journey a few years ago. Did really well and stayed on program. I decided to go for a refresher just to make sure I did not fall off program and things had been changed in regards to what type of yogurt and a few other changes,. I do not do well with change and it has totally gotten me off track. I have gained back almost all my weight that I worked so hard to lose. Not sure that I can afford $600 to redo the entire program but not thinking that a refresher will help much. I am so discouraged...Any advise. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aloha Anonymous,
      Change is the one constant in our lives and as scary as it is sometimes, it keeps us from boredom and inspires us to grow. If you lost the weight once with this program you can do it again. Perhaps today's post will be helpful to you:

      http://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2015/11/welcome-back.html

      Delete
  30. Do you remember what kind of cough drops Julie said wevoukd gave for a sore throat ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fisherman's Friend Cough Drops.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous10/15/2016

    Are there any 2016 comments on this blog?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there are. I moderate the posts before they get published, as we had trolls posting a few years back. Some days I don't read email, so the posts are not always published on the same day.

      Delete
  32. Hi Theresa, my name is Jennifer. I attended Julie's course in June and the first week of July. I am having such a hard time and am wondering if there is a support group or anyone I can talk to? I have lost anything and have followed her program to a T. I'm afraid I'll be forever large and I don't know what to do! Is there anyone that you know of I can talk to? Please help!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Aloha Jennifer,
    I'm sorry you're having such a hard time and I hope you're able to find the support you need to be successful. Search Facebook for support groups with words such as "key" or "Julie." Join a few groups until you find a group that feels supportive to you. Best to you in your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi all, I hopefully will be in the December class. I am very nervous to start this journey. I just don't quite know what to expect. I am not much of a cooker and I have very little free time for exercise. I hope this program will help me control my eating due to high anxiety.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Any advice would be helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi, give Julie ALL of your free will, do EVERYTHING she tells you, just follow the program as she tells you, be careful of feedback from others, we all hear different things, AND DON'T - DON'T eat anything she tells you not to and you will be fine, I promise!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Best advice? Stop questioning how long. I'm one month in and spend my days deciding 3 months? 4 months? I'm driving myself crazy. Someone said, stop focusing on 'HOW LONG'. Focus on the fact that this we only have to do this one time, for a life time!
    My face looks slimmer, and my headaches are gone. My energy mid day is crazy good. So my new goal is to stop obsessing on how long and just find patience! thanks for the help!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous11/20/2017

    Is anyone still on this blog? I start my program next week. Is here anything that I should do before the class? I work a night shift - should I take the night off after my first class? Some people have said that they feel like they are in a trance for a few hours afterwards. Also, should I start tossing the junk from my pantry now? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous, I'm not adding new posts at this time, but many have told me how helpful it has been for them to read my blog from the beginning. I advise you to finish the first 3 sessions before you read my blog.

      If you start here with my first blog post:
      http://friendofjulie.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-started-key-hypnosis-with-julie-end.html

      and when you reach the bottom of the page, click on "Newer post" and continue to do this after reading each page.

      Keep in mind that things have changed since 2011 when I began this blog, so if you read something that doesn't agree with what you heard in your classes - always go by what you learned in your session. This also true for my recipes - adapt the recipes on this blog as you would any recipe to make it "key-friendly." This especially applies to what I did when I went on vacation, as most could not stay with the original guidelines, so Julie doesn't teach that anymore.

      Delete

Include your email in your message if you would like to communicate with me, as I rarely respond to messages, as this blog is no longer active.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.