It's a new year and if you're like me, you've looked in the mirror and thought, I need to drop a few pounds.

Plenty of people turn to health clubs to help them loss weight. Unfortunately, they often just pick a name out the phone book and plop down their money.

Here's 10 tips for making sure that the weight you lose isn't just from your wallet.

1. Make sure you talk to your doctor before you start any weight loss program.
   
2. If you have more than one health club in your area, don't visit them one after the other. Visit one a day, and make sure you go at the same time that you would be going to workout. That way you'll be able to see how crowded they are at the time you'll want to be using the equipment. overcrowded during that time.
   
3. Look the place over closely. Is it clean? What kind of shape is the equipment in?
   
4. What kind of training does the staff have? Don't be afraid to ask. Just because they work there doesn't mean they know what they are doing.
   
5. Find out what services come with the membership and what you have to pay extra for. Many times things like aerobics and tanning are an additional charge.
   
6. Evaluate the cost of membership. Are you sure you can afford to make the payments?
   
7. Contact your state consumer protection department, every state has one, and the better business bureau to find out if there have been any complaints.
   
8. Read the contract CAREFULLY before you sign it.
   
9. Make sure you understand the cancellation and refund policies before signing the contract. Remember, no matter what the salesman may tell you, it's what's in the contract that's binding.
   
10. Shop smart -- be an informed consumer.