I've got the DietMate, a computerized diet coach about the size of a Jane Fonda videotape and far more fun to use.

Made by Reston, Va.-based Personal Improvement Computer Systems Inc., the DietMate is supposed to make it a breeze--well, easier--to drop the pounds I accumulated during the Blizzard of '96. For those struggling with non-culinary vices, PICS also makes stop-smoking computers under its LifeSign brand.

The statistics were necessary for the computer to plot my weight-loss goals. And the personalization let the DietMate act as my own private coach--a sort of cyberspace Richard Simmons--who greeted me by name and offered inspirational messages. Retailing at $197.50, the DietMate is cheaper than a personal-training regime with Richard.