The beginning of a new year is like having a clean slate. It is our mindful opportunity to start fresh. Here are ten common weight loss New Year's resolutions, that although promising in their intention, can quickly fall by the wayside -- unless you remain vigilant.

10. I will start exercising - Wonderful. Did you write it down? I mean, did you write it down in your daily planner or whatever else it is you use to schedule your appointments? See, the fact is, unless you write down your goals, and schedule a time to meet with yourself, we seldom do it. Don’t expect that you can go from never to forever. And keep in mind, if you’ve never exercised, you might need someone to show you how.

9. I’m buying the "Flabby Arms Buster" ‘cause Angelina Jolie uses it - Don’t do what Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton (is she still around?), or any other celebrity is doing. You don’t know these people, you don’t know their schedules, lives, budgets, routines, diets or anything else that affects their inner and outer selves. Do your own research. Has anyone you've known lost weight on any one of these weight loss, fitness devices? And, FYI: don’t believe infomercials, I was a model for one. Never used the thing.

8. I’m cutting out carbs - Complex carbs, too? Do yourself a favor and research carbohydrates before biting off your nose to spite your face. Without carbs, you will lack valuable energy, will become irritable and may even become constipated and no one wants to be around someone who is full of it. Besides, new research is showing that low-carb diets can affect your cognitive behavior. Eat a sweet potato, it provides essential vitamins and minerals and is one of the most effective, nutrient dense complex carbohydrates.

7. To have a six pack by summer - With six months to spare, this is indeed possible! But you need to be ready to change how you eat. Six pack abs are 90% diet and 10% exercise. After all, what you eat, goes straight to your stomach the organ that covers your abs. Everyone has abs; this is not true of big biceps and wide calves (notice how skinny... excuse me, "lean" male models have abs?). Eat lean and your abs will begin to show.

6. No more eating out - If you’re referring to restaurants, then be sure you have a back up plan as America’s social experience is built on eating out. Brown bagging is not “cool” and let’s face it, not that convenient. So do yourself a great, big, practical favor; don’t ditch the invites, just cut your portions in half and substitute, substitute, substitute. Did you know "half-portions/smaller portion for a smaller price" is one of the top restaurant trends of 2010?

5. I’ll join a gym - This one is tricky. The intention is indeed sound, but the practice requires work and effort -- especially if you’ve never been to a gym. Do this instead, get a free pass -- a week pass. If the gym won’t offer it, thank them and find one that does (make sure to let them know you’re doing this). By familiarizing yourself with a gym, before you commit (to at least a year), you will be doing yourself a tremendous service --   enjoying your workout in a place where you are comfortable. If you live in Miami or Los Angeles, contact me; I will get you a free pass to some wonderful gyms.

4. I’ll hire a trainer - Quite possibly the most ambitious new year’s resolution and one likely to most frequently disappoint. Trainers are people, they have schedules, they have their own routines and they have specific personalities. Get to know them before hiring them. This is a relationship and like all solid relationships, you had better like the person. Oh, if the trainer doesn’t remind you to eat and neglects to ask "what did you eat today?" they’re not doing a good job. This might be useful.

3. I’ll detox after the holidays - Although I completely endorse a detox, you need to know what you are doing. I recommend consulting a doctor. Otherwise, you can either fail miserably or you could very well harm yourself. A detox requires considerable self-control and will make you cranky. It is quite easy to quit before you are even through with the detox. Know what you are getting into. Find out more about losing weight on a detox.

2. I want a body like Taylor Lautner - This one gets my idiosyncratic “hmmm” because you will have to either hire Taylor Lautner’s trainer or become Taylor Lautner (let me know if either of those happen. I remain curious). You can’t have a body like anyone, because their genes are different than yours, not to mention their lives. Understand your own -- unique -- body before choosing someone else’s.

1. It worked for Oprah - Did you know that most dubious “it worked for Oprah” solutions, Oprah never really tried? Unless you actually met Oprah Winfrey and discussed how it worked -- even if it did work -- and attempted to find out if Oprah used it in conjunction with something else, chances are, it's a lie. See, the fact is, most “new” diet pills and solutions are gimmicks. Because everyone else (and by "everyone else," I mean Oprah) is doing it, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. See my prediction for the next weight loss fad ingredient.

Here are some helpful, practical and encouraging tips that will help you to stay motivated, focused and realistic about your diet and weight loss intentions.