Your Fitness Future Foretold: 20 Predictions for the New Year

By Tom Venuto

Happy New Year! In this article, I'm going to predict your future and forecast exactly what kind of results you're going to get in the next 12 months. Sylvia Browne, step aside... I'm pretty good at this.
Several years ago, a public relations firm in New York City asked me to write an article for one of their publications about fitness trends and predictions for the coming year.
It turned out that my "crystal ball" was pretty darn accurate. I nailed most of the predictions I made about aerobics classes, yoga, core training, "holistic" approaches, online personal training technology, the baby boomer market, increasing obesity and many other subjects.
I do confess, it wasn't that difficult, because instead of just guessing, I actually did some research on industry statistics and I also had some "inside insights" because I'd been a health club manager for so many years and was privy to fitness business trends.
This year, instead of making predictions for the whole fitness industry, what if I could take out my crystal ball again and predict with 99% precision exactly what kind of results you will achieve with your body by the end of the year?
Well, no problem, I can do that too!
I would claim that I have some kind of "gift" for this, but to be honest, you and I don't need to be psychic to make predictions like these.
There are two things you can always count on: (1) Nature's laws of cause and effect, and (2) human nature.
On that basis, here are my 20 fitness predictions for the new year:
I PREDICT that if you can reach into your pocket on any day this year and pull out a card or piece of paper with all your body and fitness goals written on it in vivid detail, the odds are 95 to 1 in favor of you achieving every one of those goals before the year is out.
I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on your goals and how you are going to achieve them, all day long, you will reach your goals so fast this year, it will make your head spin.
I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on health woes and body fat problems and if you think about what you don't want, all day long, your problems will get worse than ever this year.
I PREDICT that if you made a new year's resolution, but you didn't turn it into a specific, written goal with a deadline and a strong reason why you must achieve it, you will freely abandon it the moment the going gets tough.
I PREDICT that if you can tell me all the reasons why achieving your health and fitness goals are important to you, you will be motivated from within to stick with it when the going gets tough.
I PREDICT that at times, the going is going to get tough.
I PREDICT that if you can tell me today what is your life purpose and what is your lifelong vision for your body and your health, you will still be as motivated and driven at the end of the year as you were at the beginning.
I PREDICT that if you don't have long term goals and a "big picture" vision for your life that you will lose your New Year's enthusiasm and motivation in a matter of months or even weeks.
I PREDICT that the way you see yourself in your mind's eye today will be an exact reflection of what you see in the mirror at the end of the year.
I PREDICT that if you have a setback that seems to get in the way of you reaching your health and fitness goals and you tell yourself "this just is temporary; this too shall pass," then it will pass and it won't set you back.
I PREDICT that if you believe the way your body looks today is out of your control and you feel helpless or powerless to change, you won't even make much of an effort this year.
I PREDICT that if you accept complete responsibility for the way your body looks today and you believe that you have the power to change, that you will take action and keep taking action, even through the tough times.
I PREDICT that if you're unhappy with your physical condition and you say, "it's not my fault" or you blame it on genetics, hormones or age, then your body will look pretty much the same at the end of this year as it did on New Year's day.
I PREDICT that the more you have patience, a long term perspective and the ability to postpone immediate gratification, the more likely you are to be a success one year from now.
I PREDICT that the more you seek "miracle pills" or "quick fixes," the more likely you are to be a failure one year from now.
I PREDICT that you will be tempted by many quick fixes this year.
I PREDICT that if you hang out with losers and negative people this year, you will become just like them.
I PREDICT that if you hang out with winners and positive people this year, you will become just like them.
I PREDICT that you will run into more negative people and losers this year than positive people and winners.
I PREDICT that if you recruit just one friend or support partner that stands behind you and the lifestyle changes you want to make this year, you will double your chances for success. If you surround yourself with numerous support partners, you will become virtually unstoppable.
So how does your future look for the year ahead?
Based on my "predictions," if it doesn't look as bright as you'd like it to be, then don't worry, because a prediction is not predestination.
You can't do anything to change the past, but by changing your thoughts, attitudes and actions in the present moment, the future is yours to create.
Your friend and coach,
Tom Venuto
To see a complete fat burning system that takes you by the hand, step by step and shows you what to eat, how to exercise and how to stay motivated, all year long, visit: www.burnthefat.com

Top 50 Weight Loss Tips For The New Year-#3

3) WALK! Nature's best exercise for weight loss- Contrary to popular belief, walking is one of the BEST exercise for weight loss. Whether you're a professional athlete or just beginning an exercise routine, walking is very beneficial for overall fitness and weight loss. Walking has been shown to reset your body's weight-set point, allowing you to be leaner and attain the size and weight mother nature intended for you to have. Walking is gentle on the joints, and allows you to release stress (very important in preventing stress-related overeating). Try making a plan to walk 30minutes a day, then increase it by 15 minutes each week until you are walking at least 1 hour a day. Impossible, you say, NO WAY!! Divide it up, 30 in the morning, 30 in the evening. It is best to walk outside, but if the weather is bad or safety is an issue, go to a local mall or even Department store (Walmart, etc.). If you have a couple of dollars to spare, go to a local YMCA, Girls & Boys Club, Community Recreation center, or even a local gym. Walking can DOUBLE your fat/weight loss and speed results. Don't let the older ladies at the mall reap all of the amazing benefits of one of the best exercises for weight loss!

Top 50 Weight Loss Tips for the New Year-#2

2) Eat organic apples throughout the day- Apples are full of fiber, and we all know that fiber promotes weight loss. But did you know that apples have a cleansing effect on your colon and liver? Apples help remove toxic waste build-up from the walls of the colon and helps in cleansing the liver of fat and sediment build-up. A clogged liver can stall and/or hault fat loss. Try to eat the apple with the skin on, becuase the skin of the apple contain the most fiber. Apples also help keep your energy levels high; by regulating your blood sugar; thus avoiding a "crash" often experienced after eating a sugary meal.

Top 50 Weight Loss tips for The New Year-#1

1) Drink a glass of water upon rising- After a long night rest, your body is likely to be dehydrated. Dehydration is often confused for hunger, and this could cause us to overeat at the breakfast table (i remeber days from my youth, where i would down 3 bowls of cereal and milk (around 7 cups of cereal, one cup was a single serving on the cereal box!). It is also the reason we have less energy throughout the day and can cause constipation. Drinking water when you first arise will kick start your metabolism and give you a great boost in energy. Try adding some lemon juice/lemon slices to your water throughout the day to add cleansing and detoxifying power to your water.

Foods That Promote Weight Loss--Part One

Many people in America are overweight and looking for the next diet to lose fat. We spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss products, particularly fat--burning supplements and diet foods. The manufacturing companies of most diet foods claim to produce the best foods for weight loss. These products tout promises such as "xyz will burn fat fast, and allow you to lose 15 pounds in 15 days" , and "zyx will shed belly fat fast in as little as 10 days if eaten". Be careful, as most of these diet foods are loaded with sugar and preservatives, and lack far less nutrition than "real" food.

Upon learning this, many would ask, "Are there ANY foods that promote weight loss?" The answer to this question is YES! There are foods that SUPPORT fat and weight loss, but the way they support weight loss is very different from the current ideas we hold about fighting fat. While eating a reduced--calorie diet and exercising do lead to weight loss, there are more ways at cutting fat and losing weight than one would think. There are also many foods that support weight loss, some of them are in our grocery stores, backyard and even already in our pantries! One of these amazing, yet incredibly inexpensive foods are the lemon.

Lemons are one of the best foods for weight loss. Do they burn fat by themselves? Not necessarily. While lemons DO support weight loss, they do something else far greater than fat burning. Lemons are excellent at detoxifing our bodies. What does this mean in terms of weight loss? Lemons help eliminate waste matter from our bodies. It assists in removing toxins, chemicals, and fat from our systems, particularly our colon and bloodstream. Did you know that we can have up to 20lbs of stored waste at any given time in our bodies? NO amount of exercise can rid you of this type of extra weight; yet it is very visible. It shows up as stubborn belly fat and love handles. Following a short detox diet including lemon juice is an affective way to flush fat and toxins, jump starting weight loss.

Another great benefit of lemon juice is that it helps to stimulate and cleanse the liver. The typical American diet contains high amounts calories and trans fat. Paired with our habit of overeating, this puts stress on our liver. The liver is responsible for storing fat and processing nutrients from the foods we eat. When we gorge ourselves of fatty, sugary foods; over a period of years; we fill our liver to capacity. Our body has to find a place to store the excess fat, so it moves it to other areas for future use, or until our liver is capable of processing it. These areas include the stomach, thighs, arms legs, etc. Drinking lemon juice in water will help cleanse and detoxify the liver allowing it to process fat and nutrients faster, better and more easily.

All of these incredible health benefits make the lemon one of the best foods for weight loss and overall health. It is safe to use and won't affect your teeth. Try some freshly squeezed lemon juice in your water today!