Whatever Garfield the Cat may say, a diet shouldn’t feel like “die – with a T.” If you have any hopes of success, the diet plan you choose must be carefully selected to achieve the best fit with your physical, financial and emotional needs.

With obesity at epidemic levels in the industrialized world, it’s no surprise that the weight-loss business is booming. Literally thousands of plans are available, and it can be overwhelming trying to choose between everything from the Atkins Plan all the way to the Zone Diet. Before you spend your hard-earned money, take some time to review your personal situation. Once you have a concrete handle on the amount of weight you want to lose, your financial and time limitations, plus your lifestyle and taste preferences, you can begin to narrow your search for the plan that’s right for you.

Even if you’re in reasonably good health, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting on any diet program. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or any other significant health concern, then a pre-diet checkup is even more critical.

Time also is at a premium for most working adults, so another factor you’ll need to consider is whether the plan requires you to attend weekly meetings, weigh-ins or other regular commitments. Don’t forget to factor in how much time you’ll have to spend planning meals, shopping for ingredients and cooking. For some people, structured programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers save time and work; other people prefer the freedom to design their own eating plan, within the program’s guidelines.

Meanwhile, there are some traits that are universal in a good healthy eating and weight-loss plan. Specifically, it should:

* Explain clearly how much weight you can expect to lose per week, plus how long it should take to reach your personal weight-loss goal.

* Set realistic goals, including gradual weight loss. After the first week on any diet plan, losing more than 2 to 3 pounds per week can be unsafe.

* Offer a variety of foods, to ensure that you’ll be getting all the nutrients you need. If supplements are included with the program, ask your doctor and pharmacist to make sure they won’t interact dangerously with any medications or supplements you’re currently taking.

* Include exercise along with a balanced diet as key to a healthy lifestyle.

* Teach you how to maintain your weight loss, so that lost pounds aren’t regained once you’ve stopped the program.

* Explain clearly and fully the entire cost of the program, including membership fees, special foods, supplements, and the cost of any counseling or other services.

It’s also not enough to take a diet program’s “experts” at face value. Research the credentials of everyone involved in developing the weight-loss program you select, whether it be a doctor, nurse, dietitian or nutritional counselor. You may also want to seek out self-help support groups such as Overeaters Anonymous or Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). These can offer your peer support while you’re on your program. Or, people who are more than 30 percent above their ideal weight may benefit from a program that takes place in a clinical setting, such as Optifast or Health Management Resources.

If you keep these guidelines in mind, it will be easier to weed out the bogus plans and those that aren’t right for you. Then you can sign on to a weight-loss plan that will lead you to a smaller waistline and a healthier body.