2008 is finally here and with the start of a new year comes tons of weight loss tips. This is the time of year when every weight loss related site posts their advice, tips and programs that promise to help you finally lose the weight for good this time.

My inbox has been flooded with this stuff over the past week or so. I think it’s funny and frustrating to see all of the contradictory advice from various sites out there. For example one email said “if you really want to lose weight this year cut out the carbs” and just 2 days later I had another newsletter telling me to “increase my carbs to shed the fat”.

To the average person trying to really make a conscious effort to lose the weight that has been holding them back for so long, all this advice can be confusing. If the so called experts can’t agree then what advice should you follow?

The real secret of successful weight loss

I honestly believe that almost any diet or weight loss plan will work for anyone as long as you can stick to it. The real key for any of them to work can be summed up in one small word: FOCUS

You need to be focused in changing your habits, focused in changing your diet and focused in your workouts. See, the biggest reason that people will give up on their new lifestyle changes over the next few weeks is because they will lose their focus.

I know this from experience. I have always been a “new year dieter”. First day of the New Year it’s all “no more junk food for me” and armed with the new gym membership, I’m motivated and focused. Hell bent on losing weight and getting in shape for good.

Come February 1st I’m back on the couch eating crap food and haven’t been to the gym in a week. I’ve lost my focus. Suddenly all of the reasons that were motivating me to lose weight in the first place aren’t as compelling 4 weeks later.

How to stay focused on weight loss

So now you’re wondering how exactly do you stay focused? What keeps you motivated? Well what I do is something simple that takes no more than 10-15 minutes a day, everyday. It keeps me motivated and encouraged to keep moving forward with my plans and achieve the goals I’ve set for myself.

I take 10 minutes in the morning and plan out my day. I go over everything from what I’m going to be eating, to what obstacles I’ll be facing that day. (I.e. potluck lunch, packed scheduled etc…). If I know that my day is packed and I won’t have time to get in a full workout. I’ll take 15 minutes off my lunch and go for a fast walk or something.

Too often we get caught up in the rush of everyday life and end up making poor quick decisions that can ruin our whole day or week. Plan the day out as best you can in advance, that way you are ready to handle anything that comes your way.

Before I go to bed at night I take 5 minutes to review my day. I focus on the good things that I accomplished that day. I’m not perfect most days but there are little things that I have done perfectly. I also review my goals. The reasons why I want to lose weight in the first place and what I am doing to achieve them.

I’m not a very religious man but the final thing I do before bed to help me stay focused, is pray. It helps me rid the stress; I can go to bed happy and not focus on the negative while I sleep. Let me tell you, I sleep like a baby now

Just a quick update on this site and my blogging status.

I’m sure you have noticed that over the past few weeks the quantity and quality of my posts have been dropping. This is due to many factors. I have been working on a book with some trainers as well as many other new projects.

I am changing the frequency of posts and purpose of this blog. I will be posting 1 high quality post per week. These posts will be focusing on really helping you to lose weight as well as hopefully start some meaningful discussions (via comments).

Remember that this blog uses the top commentator’s plugin as well as the dofollow plugin. So comments are encouraged (and moderated)

If you would like to contact me about anything weight loss related you can also email me here.

Finally, don’t forget to signup for my RSS subscription. You can do that at the top of this page or here.

*note - weightlossweapons.com will be updated frequently with fresh new content *

I’m looking forward to helping,
Steve

My new favorite weight loss related show is the Last 10 pounds bootcamp on Slice TV.

It’s a Canadian show based out of Vancouver. The program is geared towards women and its goal is to help them get rid of that last 10 pounds and into a new thinner outfit.

Here is an excerpt from their site www.theeyes.ca/tenpounds

“The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp propels women through an intense fitness and nutrition regimen that dramatically resizes
them in record time. Motivated by a special event (an upcoming wedding, anniversary, vacation, or reunion) participants strive to
transform themselves physically and mentally in just four weeks. Their mission: to lose weight. Their target: to fit into a sexy
new outfit.”

It’s hosted by professional CFL football player Tommy Europe as the personal trainer. Tommy puts these ladies through some very tough workouts. He doesn’t hold back and doesn’t let them quit. Check out his personal trainer site at www.13hitz.net

His co-host is former CFL cheerleader and certified trainer Nadeen Boman. She is the nutritional expert. Nadeen basically cleans out all of the participants cupboards, fridges and freezers, since no one has any healthy food at home. Then arms them with the proper healthy foods they need to achieve their goal. You can contact her through her own site at www.firmbodyfitness.com

Why do I like it so much?

Because the methods they use get results. Most women end up losing more than the 10 pounds and are in noticeably better shape. The workouts are intense and the food is healthy and nutritious. Also, I have yet to see any over hyped product placements (ala Biggest Loser) which I really respect.

Each episode is loaded with great tips and facts on various foods and exercises. They’re all very practical and easily incorporated into your current workout/nutrition plan.

Now I only have 2 problems with this show:

1. - I’d like to see more targeting for the males that have that last 10 pounds to lose.

2. - Exposure. This is a great show that is not only entertaining, but very motivational and informative. It can be seen on Slice TV in Canada but that’s it.

I would like to see more web coverage too, maybe an online fitness and nutritional program. I’d really like to see a bootcamp style workout DVD that people can use at home. (i.e me)

You can watch the full episodes via streaming videos at Slice.ca.

Anyway check them out and let me know what you think.

Here is another great episode of Marketplace on CBC.

In this episode Wendy Mesley explores foods that are labeled as “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada” but have sometimes been to as many as 3 other continents before landing on your plate.

Here is the trailer:

“Product of Canada” seems to be just another marketing ploy, when it comes to your food anyway. You can watch the whole episode Here.

There are some great tips on how to find out where your food comes from and how to really eat locally.

Marketplace

Have you ever just gotten to the point where you are tired of constantly battling your weight? You ask yourself, what is the point and feel like maybe you are just meant to be overweight for the rest of your life.

This is what I call diet burnout and it is a very common problem. I think it stems from a lack of progress with your current plan, combined with many failed attempts to lose weight in the past.

To borrow Dennis Millers line “Now, I don’t want to go off on a rant”, But this is just where the diet and weight loss industry want you to be. You are now a prime target for their latest and greatest new diet plan, pill or program. They prey on your desperation and insecurities. Hoping that you will buy the “solution” to your problem from them.

As someone that is trying to help other people actually lose weight safely and effectively, it is frustrating to see how many people fall prey to these sales tactics. The only way I know how to change this is to help you stop the cycle.

Below I have outlined 7 things that you can do to prevent diet burnout and help you get to where you want to be.

1. Set realistic goals – Setting the bar too high is a sure fire way to fail. A goal of losing 5-10 lbs a week is not realistic, (possible, but not realistic). Rather pick a goal that is difficult to achieve but well within your reach.

2. Judge yourself by your own standards and no one eles’ - You should always strive to be the best that you can be or do the best that you can honestly do. You many not be as thin or fit as your favourite celeb, but who says you have to be?

3. Stop obsessing over the numbers - Weather it’s the numbers on the scale, the fat grams you consume or the number of crunches you can do. At the end of the day numbers are just numbers and that’s all.

4. Habits are everything - Changing your behaviour is a difficult thing to do and it won’t happen over night. But it is key to reaching your goals. You don’t need to be perfect, just aim to have more good habits than bad.

5. Have fun - Losing weight doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There are many activities that delivery a great workout as well as a good time. Tennis, skating, dancing etc… to name a few. Finding something you enjoy doing will make it easier to stick with. You don’t need a gym to get in shape.

6. Praise the positive -Focus on the positive changes you have made or are making. Dwelling on the negative will keep you fat. What is the point of trying to improve yourself if you never get to celebrate your successes (however small they may be).

7. Read My blog - Sorry for the shameless self promotion, but 7 tips are more appealing then 6. Remember I am here to help, so if you have a question. Leave a comment or send me an email