After making New Year's resolutions to lose weight, many people are finding themselves back at ground zero come summertime. If your weight-loss plan has in-volved fad diets or eliminating particular foods, you probably haven't had much success at shedding unwanted pounds, said Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition and a registered dietitian. "Many people have tried fad diets to lose weight, but these diets are hard to stick to," Ms. Sandon said, citing the Kellogg's Special K Kick-Start Diet and the Subway diet as two examples.

The Kellogg's Special K Kick-Start Diet includes a bowl of cereal with milk and fruit for breakfast and as a replacement for dinner or lunch, vegetables and fruit for snacks and the option of eating anything for the remaining meal. The Subway diet involves eating two hero sandwiches daily. "You may lose weight for awhile, but eventually you're going to get tired of eating the same thing time and time again," Ms. Sandon said. "Eating cereal twice a day may be convenient because there's no cooking involved, but it's not very realistic for long-term and permanent weight-loss. "Rather than trying to cut food and calories out of your meal plan, look for ways to include healthy foods that you are currently not eating.

There are no good or bad foods, only good and bad eating habits. By not having the vital nutrients in your diet, you may actually be putting yourself at a health risk. Including healthful foods is a more positive change than trying to restrict yourself of foods you enjoy. Mary Kimbrough, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition services at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, the private referral hospital for UT Southwestern physicians, has prepared a summer menu that will cool you off and reignite your resolve to eat healthy.

For a variety of heart-healthy recipes, Ms. Sandon recommends the following recipe books:

From the American Heart Association:

• Around the World Cookbook: Healthy Recipes with International Flavor
• Kids' Cookbook
• Low-Fat & Luscious Desserts
• Low-Fat, Low Cholesterol Cookbook
• Quick & Easy Cookbook

Other good choices:

• Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook
• In Good Taste, by Mary Kimbrough, Victor Gielisse, and Kathryn Gielisse.
• Phytopia Cookbook, by Barbara Gollman and Kim Pierce G