I skipped most of that post when i saw a few things.
"Don't get a cheap one, get an expensive one." & "None. Don't try to wean yourself off it, just cut it off completely".
Thats just bad advice. Sugar levels would drop dead and he'd feel like crap. He'd have huge urges to eat junk food.
Its like saying to a druggy "Ah just quit, who cares about cold turkey its only a bit of shaking and cold sweats... easy".
You've got to want to lose weight and if you want it, you shall suceed.
Sign up to a forum, i'd recommend
www.muscletalk.co.uk where you can ask for advice from bodybuilders and "normal"(lol) blokes just wanting to get fitter.
Its xmas season... Don't be fooled by gym adverts... paying £100 a month wont motivate you to work out... it will just make you feel stupid like you've wasted your cash and in affect make you feel even worse about yourself. Infact if you just want to lose weight you only need to do pressups and lift bags full of tinned beans and whatever else then go for jogs in the FRESH AIR.
Getting fit DOES NOT COST MONEY, its only the stupid people whom think it does.
Sign up to the forum, Post in diet section and get advice then Post in workout section and ask for a workout/routine. Most will recommend a gym as it is better, but definatly not required.
Start on a cutting diet that you will slowly adjust to, removing your junk food and replacing it with good foods gradually.
Switch to sugar free drinks gradually and let your body adjust.
I post at muscletalk, its a great place. I lost about 50lbs and my added about 2" to my arms in the first 4months-5months of training.
I've been slacking recently, but i will return mid january where i shall lose about 5-8lbs more(will take around a month) and have my abs [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].
Good luck.