Dear Hopeful: What a great moniker. I admire your tenacity by sticking with it. You're losing approx 5 lb per month, and it all adds up.

I am not a guy, but a lady who's finding it very tough to buy clothes for short fat women. It's become so difficult that I'm buying what fits, whether I like it or not. I am 5 ft tall and about 200 lbs. I'm afraid to weigh myself.

My health and my spirits are fine, it's my figure that's awful. I have an overeating problem fueled by emotions and bad habits. I finally got my night eating under control, but the damage is done.

Mentally, I know what to eat and what not to eat, but get sidetracked on a daily basis. For the first time in my life, I don't put my knowledge into practice. Were you like this?

By the way, what are you studying?

Sincerely, Chiqui