So, how many of your New Year's resolutions have you broken so far? Have you picked up a cigarette? Had a cup of coffee? Already gotten disorganized?

Or have you, like millions of others, gone off your diet already? If that's true, it's not too late to get back on track!

Dr. Tedd Mitchell has shaken up the diet world a bit with the "80-20" diet plan, but it's actually not that different from what I've been doing for three years now. He recommends eating right and exercising five days a week, then giving yourself some slack on the other two. Now, those two don't have to be the weekend ... if you've got a midweek day off, feel free to swap around!

I've always loosened up on the weekends, although I get my exercise every day, barring illness. And if work or friends have me eating out during the week, I make up for it by sticking to my plan on Saturday or Sunday.

So, here we are, a few days in January. I'm going to give you credit and say you stuck to your diet for at least two or three days, fair enough? Thus, if you've gone off the wagon for the last couple of days, you can just write that off to following the 80-20 plan.

Sorry to relieve you of your excuse for giving up the diet. Blame Dr. Mitchell.

Seriously, though, it's tough to get started. I remember all too well three years ago, when I realized that, at 470 pounds, I had a looooong journey ahead of me. However, I had the motivation of not wanting to die before I reached 40 to get and keep me moving. I would imagine it's actually harder for those of you with 20 or 30 pounds to lose. You'll notice I don't say "only" 20 or 30 pounds. People who have never fought tooth and nail against excess weight say "only," and should be roundly kicked in the shins for doing so. Being overweight, whether it's 20 pounds or 200, is hard to fix. It requires behavior modification, self-control, resolve, determination and strength of will.

Oh, and denial. Don't forget denial. Every Krispy Kreme doughnut I pass up is a small victory. I'm sure you have little victories like that of your own.

I've corresponded with a lot of you over the last three years, and plan to continue to do so. In coming columns, I'm going to borrow a page from my Ask The Cook columns and run a question or two every time to let you all see you're not the only ones in a quandary occasionally.

So, drop me a line, anytime!