Your Diet Plan

Along with picking out a gym, you need to develop a food plan that also fits your needs. The honest truth is they go hand-in-hand; one is only moderately successful without the other. Your goal might be to improve your overall diet (less junk, more fruit, up your water intake), or it might be to lose weight (eat smaller portions, less fat, cut out the sugar). If your goal is to gain weight, you're so lucky - go get a doughnut (just kidding, sorta...). For some of you, doing it on your own might be overwhelming; you weren't successful with your last diet because you were hungry all the time, or you missed your favorite food, or didn't have time to fix whatever you were supposed to be eating. All of these are important factors when choosing something you can maintain, and be happy and healthy at the same time. CBS Moneywatch.com (Jan. 4, 2010) compared several of the popular diets, reviewing their cost, success and taste (if ordering their food was part of their plan). It would be worth taking a look at this; even if you don't want to spend the money, or belong to a group, it will give you an idea of the type of plan you want to follow. Again, if one doesn't give you the desired results, don't give up - remember your goals, and find another way to get there. Getting in shape motivates you to eat better, and eating better makes you want to be in better shape. As with exercise, nothing extreme is going to be long-lasting; while it's great to lose 10 pounds in the first two weeks, you don't want to see them again the beginning of February. This is the year to do it the right way! Melissa