TLC is airing a new show that just may catch your interest. The show is called “I Can Make You Thin” and it features weight loss guru Paul McKenna. The series will feature five different programs. The first episode was last night and it is well worth your time to set your DVR in advance if you can’t catch it. It airs Sundays at 9 PM on TLC.

The approach of this show is very straight forward and the successes that Paul McKenna has had in Britain have been astounding. He is bringing us his approach to weight loss here in the United States and I think we should take a moment and hear what he has to say.

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In order to have a positive start and continued success on your diet, there are a few things that you should do consistently. Over time these small and simple things could mean the success or failure of your diet plan.

• Stick to your diet and fitness plan. Following your plan consistently and carefully. Small departures at the beginning tend to turn into bigger departures over the course of time. Work hard to ensure a great start and then to stay there.

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Last night I watched the premiere of the new season of Celebrity Fit Club. I’ll admit, I get a kick out watching the out of shape celebrities get worked over by Harvey. And the nutrition advice given by Dr. Ian Smith is spot on. The show airs on VH1 on Thursdays at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT. Click here for a sneak peak of the first show.

The season kicked of to a great start with four of the eight contestants returning for another round. In the case of Toccara and Dustin Diamond, I’m not sure that they gave enough abuse out the first time. They both claim to have reformed, but Toccara is already throwing her weight around with temper tantrums. We will just have to wait and see how Mr. Diamond behaves this season.

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In order to make changes to your eating habits and behaviors, you must know what they are to begin with. Keeping track of the things you eat and how much you eat, has several benefits to your diet success. This is also known as self-monitoring your diet behavior.

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When we begin a new weight loss program, our enthusiasm and motivation are generally pretty high. This is both good and bad. While being motivated and having enthusiasm are good at helping us to focus on the task at hand, they can be detrimental when we try to change everything all at once. When we do not meet our weight loss goals we can become very frustrated and feel like we are failing. We may feel like giving up when in fact we are making adequate progress…we just don’t recognize it.

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That what the latest Johns Hopkins research says.  If you want continued weight loss, then stick with your weight loss program.  Longevity in a commercial weight loss program does pay off.

According to the John Hopkins study, individuals sticking to their program commitment lost 13-16% of their body weight.  Those who didn’t stick it out, dropping out in the first month only lost 1%.

Of the individuals studied, only 7% remained in their program for one year; and 42% dropped out in three months.

Let’s take the time to make more than a commitment to weight loss.  Let’s make it a long term commitment to weight loss.

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The Biggest Loser has been featuring Wrigley’s Extra sugar-free gum as a weight loss tool.  The Wrigley Science Institute claims it can help dieters relieve stress and stress related snacking.

Studies funded by Wrigley say that individuals choosing gum over high calorie snacks following meals consumed about 36 few calories less during snack time.  While this seems to be fewer calories saved than one cookie over time it could add up over a year. 

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Have you congratulated yourself on any successes recently?  Weight loss is a chore sometimes.  Sometimes your approach to dieting may be all gung-ho and nothing is going to get in your way and then there is the flip side, a perception of total dieting failure. 

When you are on the down side there is a propensity to lose hope and slide into self-doubt.  You have to quickly pick up the momentum.  Look at your last week and quickly think about what you did right.  How did you stay on the dieting course in the last week or two? 

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The National Institutes of Health or the NIH, announced in 2001 that the United States was suffering from a “Calcium Crisis”. It was then revealed that a mere 36.3% of boys and an astonishing 13.5% of girls between the ages of 12 and 19 were getting the RDA or recommended daily allowance of calcium. It is imperative that we understand that 90% of bone mass is established during these ages. Those numbers indicate that osteoporosis and other bone diseases will be on the rise as these kids grow up. And adults aren’t getting enough calcium either.

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I can honestly say there is nothing as motivating for a weight loss program as the approach of spring.  Maybe it is the influence of vitamin D from all the sunlight, or the retreat of cold air. Whatever it is it works. Even if I’m left inside contemplating an exercise video if it is too nippy outside, I feel rejuvenated letting in the light.

With January and February past us, the advent of March can bring new weight loss goals.  For instance if you are the outdoorsy type it is a great time to plan a garden.  As soon as weather allows in your region you’ll be able to reap the benefits of gardening….burning calories while planting.  Gardening is great exercise. Remember those benefits will be two-fold at harvest time.

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