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.