1. Steroids. Those people in the magazines you're goggling at, the bodybuilders, they didn't get there by doing the right exercises, eating the right foods, or taking ordinary supplements. Those guys probably injected steroids for massive muscle growth. It's not exactly safe, and it's not realistic to make them you're goals unless you too plan on injecting steroids into you system. Be realistic.

2. Fad Diets. How many people do you think fail at diets? A whopping 90%. Why? Because there is no quick fix to weight loss. It takes a lot of work, and when people realize this they give up. Realize it before you get into everything that's hot on the market so you'll stick to something that works.

3. Diet Pills. Pills are not any better, and can be worse, than fad diets. If they work at all, it will be short-term only. Many of them come with horrible side effects, possibly making you gain, not lose, the weight. These are not a safe way of losing the weight so don't try every 'free to first 10 callers' pill out there.

4. Fad exercise equipment. There are hundreds of tools out there that promise you washboard abs in a matter of days. Every new on that comes out attracts thousands of people buying into them. That's not to say some of them don't work; probably a few do actually give you results, maybe not as fast as they proclaim. If you buy exercise equipment, at least use it. Don't let it sit around collecting dust while you add to your collect the latest greatest home gym.

5. Sticking with it. Too many people get all worked up about getting a better body shape just to stop a few weeks or months later when they find out it takes work. Use your enthusiasm to your advantage and keep up the good work long term. It might be hard, but quitting isn't going to get you anywhere.

6. Gain good habits. Use your enthusiasm to change things about your lifestyle that will help you lose the weight. Eat better, exercise more, build more muscle. Start slow and work your way up, establishing habits that will carry you through the long haul and beyond.

7. Be patient. How long do you think it took you to put on the weight? A while, right? So don't expect anything to work in a few weeks. It's going to take time (and it should if it's healthy!) to lose the weight and become a toned, healthy person.