Set a monthly reminder

I went to my health club today, and it was packed with people getting started early on their New Year’s resolution to improve their health and wellness. Actually, they probably all just feel guilty about the case or two of cookies, sweets and stuffing they had in the last 8 days. Hey, we all do it---including me. I have been paying for it at the gym, trust me.

However, I know that in early February, the club will clear out again, and the regulars will still be there. If this sounds like it could be you, take a simple step to remind yourself once a month to stick with it.

Subscribe to a health, fitness or wellness magazine. Once a month, it will arrive in your mailbox with a picture or some hard body on the cover. Inside, you will find recipes, routines and tips to get healthier. For less than $15 a year, it is an easy way to get a nudge and a refresher once per month. Here are some of the ones I like:

• Men’s Health
• Men’s Journal
• Shape
• Prevention
• Self

These are just a few examples, and you can find a more comprehensive listing here.

Lose a can a week

The NY State Health Commissioner, Richard Daines, is creating a controversy by advocating a tax on sugar laden sodas. Critics are spending a great deal of time pointing out why this is not fair, but I think he is right on with his main point.

It has to start somewhere. Take a look at the video and judge for yourself.

Best diets

There was a recent story on MSNBC about the Top 10 Diets for those of you trying to lose a few pounds in 2009 (and beyond). There are some great choices in here, but you should keep in mind a few Rainmaker rules about diets:

1. Diets should be simple. If you need to study a book that requires you to learn chemistry and dietary science, it is too complicated for most people to absorb.
2. Diets should be cheap. You do not need to purchase "special food" to lose weight. Now, it it is preprepared and delivered to you, that is OK. You are paying for convenience. However, if a diet plan is trying to sell you their "magic ingredients" as the only way to lose weight, run away.
3. Diets are not fun. There are no shortcuts. Sorry, but if you are not hungry during a diet period, you are probably not doing it the right way.
4. Diets all work the EXACT SAME WAY. You need to consume less calories than you expend. These diets all have different ways to do it, but there is no escaping this mechanical fact. If you burn more than eat, you will lose weight. I do not care what your metabolism or genetics are (see any Survivor episode for verification).

You should select a diet that fits your lifestyle and is something you will commit the time and effort to complete. If you are not ready mentally, don't start a diet just because the calendar says it is the beginning of a New Year. Going on a diet is a mental exercise and starting before you are ready will just make you question whether ANYTHING will work for you. It will, but you need to choose your time and diet tool carefully.

Get out your calendar

You are waiting until the holidays are over to start that diet/exercise/clean living plan of yours, aren't you? Well, since you are so big on your calendar running your life for you, get it out. It is time to start making plans.

For the next 30 minutes, plan out the days you are going to exercise as well as the time of day. Write (or type) them in your calendar RIGHT NOW. These are appointments you are going to keep with yourself. If you had a business meeting next month, you would write it down, set reminders and not schedule anything else during that time. Do the same thing for your fitness plan.

Do it now.