Hah - I actually tried hypnosis some years ago. It was a very expensive way of having a nap for an hour a week.
I think most of us who got into the obesity category probably have big issues with binge eating and emotional eating. I stuck to cambridge for 6 months and other diets for 3 months or so without a cheat, but I've never found it 'retrained' me not to want to binge or eat to soothe my emotions. Even now when I think omg i'd kill for [insert bad evil carby food here] I think about wanting huge amounts, not just one small portion. I have to have all 'treat' type atkins foods rationed for me, otherwise I'd eat the lot.
It's strange, isn't it. My mum can have one small slice of something and not want the rest, or can buy a box of ice creams, have one, and forget about them for a week. When it's me, the whole cake is gone and the ice creams go two a day or more. Packets of biscuits and multipacks of crisps last maybe two days.
Mum says she remembers being horrified at a birthday party when I was little by the way I loaded up my plate with a bit of everything. Why didn't I just take a little bit knowing I could go back if I wanted more? I've never been starved, though I have been on diets since puberty and nothing but 'low fat' foods in the house before that. But there's never been an experience where I've lacked food, so why the binge impulse.
I wish I could figure it out.
Just to say that you're very much not alone. I hope you manage to get back on the wagon, or even the exante wagon if you think you'll be able to cope with that. Sometimes cutting out food entirely is a big help, but my own failing with VLCD and the failing for a lot of others is not figuring out or sticking to a way to maintain. Do a lot of thinking and I'm sure you'll find the right choice for you. Keep on keeping on.
I hope today is a better day. Take care xx