Over the past month, I've been busily checking out new weight loss products, recipes, books and fitness gadgets.  Not all of them are worth mentioning, but there are two that I found to be interesting and notable, for completely different reasons.  Check out the full reviews:

Obsessed: America's Food Addiction -- and My Own (Review)

Zaggora Hotwear: Does It Burn More Calories?

And if you're heading to the store, use these guides to create to keep it healthy!

9 Things to Buy Before You Start an Exercise Program

Grocery Shopping: Dos and Don'ts to Help You Buy Healthy Food

If you need weight loss motivation, a new award-winning YouTube video might be just the thing to give you a nudge towards making a healthy decision.  "Choices" illustrates how making simple changes throughout a typical day can have a positive impact on your health.  Many times, taking small steps can lead to a larger investment in a weight loss program.

The short video was the winning entry from the Exercise is Medicine Facebook contest that took place last year.  Exercise is Medicine is a program developed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association to help educate both the public and the medical community about the importance of exercise.

If the idea of going on a full-scale diet is too much for you at this time, consider making some of the small changes illustrated in this video.  Visit Exercise is Medicine to see a full library of videos about different ways to start an exercise program.

Why not celebrate the start of summer with a trip to the park and a healthy picnic?  For many people, the outdoor meal is an excuse to indulge in packaged foods and high calorie food.  These foods are usually easier to pack.  But with a little bit of planning you can pack a healthy picnic that is indulgent, enjoyable and doesn't ruin your diet.

Foods to Include, Foods to Skip

Vegetables and dip are a great snack to pack and they are certainly more healthy than bringing a bag of chips.  Instead of the sour cream based dip, however, make a lower calorie guacamole.  This tasty swap is full of healthy fat, but you should still eat it in moderation.  And if you like to have a pre-meal snack, skip the granola bars and package a few hummus-filled hard boiled eggs.   They are full of protein and the hummus adds a healthy dose of fiber.

Use these other resources to stock your picnic basket with diet-friendly foods:

• Healthy Picnic Ideas
• Drinks to Avoid
• Find a Lower Calorie Beer
• Healthy Snacks: Tips and Recipes

And don't forget to pack a Frisbee, a badminton set or a pair of hiking shoes.  Every healthy picnic should include physical activity.

You might go to the Better Business Bureau if you've had a bad experience with a local retailer, but would you think of going to them for weight loss advice?  They weren't on my list of top resources until I can across a blog post on their website this morning.  In The 'Skinny' on Weight Loss Advertising, author Melanie Alakkam, provides helpful tips and usable advice about sifting through weight loss claims.

How to Spot Diet Scams

Alakkam, A business standards analyst, explains that weight loss companies are expected to back up any claims that they make about their program's results.  She says that business owners should be prepared to provide evidence from "recent and scientific data."  Alakkam suggests that consumers ask for the same verification before they invest any money into a diet pill, program or product.  Dieters can also investigate the company at www.bbb.org.

Be a Smarter Shopper

Even if you're not on a diet, it pays to question the claims you see on food packages, exercise products and even on diet and health books.  It's not uncommon for authors to use scare tactics to sell a book or to slap on a healthy-looking label to sell a processed food.  I questioned one book in a review recently because the claims made by the author didn't make sense to me.  It probably made me  unpopular with the author's fans, but I wouldn't waste my time on a program that  doesn't make sense, nor would I recommend it to my readers.  Remember that it's your money and your health on the line.  If a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Did you know that I also write full length articles?  Check out my latest articles and resources here. You can also friend me on Facebook to get daily tips and advice.

(photo source: Tara Moore/Getty Images)