And if you happen to have an ice cream maker, enjoy homemade frozen yogurt. Here’s how: Spoon a quart of nonfat yogurt into a coffee filter set in a strainer over a bowl. Refrigerate for 24 hours, till yogurt is very thick. Add Splenda to taste, vanilla extract, and freeze in your ice cream maker, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Heaven!

Finally, that same drained yogurt is a great substitute for cream cheese or sour cream in dips. Add dry ranch-style dressing, or your favorite dry dip mix. Use a a dip for veggie sticks or low-fat, high-fiber crackers. Delish!

10) Don’t make any diet so harsh you can’t stick with it. See #1 above. Any weight you added this summer is best shed gradually. If you say, “OK, no more sweets, fats, alcohol, or bread,” you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Designate one day a week for indulgence – be it an ice cream cone, a burger and fries, or pancakes with butter and maple syrup for breakfast. Keep your eyes on the “prize” when your resolve wavers.

Also, keep a supply of dried fruit on hand for those times when you HAVE to have something sweet. A slice of dried mango, a few chunks of dried pineapple, or a handful of dried cranberries will satisfy your sweet tooth as they up your daily fiber intake.

September is just around the corner. Ready… set… start to build a new, healthier YOU!