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A quick way to drop pounds involves just a very simple lifestyle change. When asked if you want second helpings, shake your head sharply from side to side, put your hands on the edge of the table and push your chubby little body as far away as possible. Then, get up, walk quickly past the TV set and computer. Open the front door and go for a walk or jog for at least 30 minutes. If the weather is snowy, rainy and/or windy, you don't have to walk or jog. Just start running.

Of course, the quickest way to lose pounds is to start cutting back on eating. Knock off all the heavy, starchy food. Skip dessert entirely or substitute with fresh fruit. Cut back on butter and drink low- or no-fat milk. Stay away from the sugary sodas and so-called energy drinks. Forget about between-meal snacks. Eat three modest, but nutritious meals a day, with emphasis on non-fatty protein, such as fresh fish, lean meat and poultry. If you're grossly overweight, it isn't likely that you're a vegan, but you might just think about giving it a try.

Like the coughing, suicidal smoker who knows exactly what he's doing to his body, the overeater is fully aware that stuffing too much food too often into his body is another form of suicide. Despite all the excuses about hereditary blubber in the family or "large bone" bodies, for anyone who is overweight more than ten pounds for his height, diet and exercise are the answer. The best is a voluntary diet regimen of intelligently reduced intake. If the problem also involves emotional or otherwise compulsive eating, the beginning and monitoring of the diet should be under the control of a physician or other professional.

In addition to sensible diet, regular exercise is a necessary part of the weight-reducing plan. Depending on age and physical condition, you should start your program by walking, jogging, running and/or swimming at least one hour a day. The hour can be accomplished all at one time, or in 15- or 30-minute segments throughout the day. If you are restricted by your physical condition, consult with your medical professional on how you can pursue the necessary exercise you'll need to knock off the extra weight.

The day I retired almost two decades ago, I weighed nearly 200 pounds. The condition, of course, was caused by overeating and lack of regular exercise. As the boss of a creative team, I moved around all day, but it was mostly nervous herky-jerky, accompanied by three big meals and a half-dozen binge food breaks. It was inevitable that,

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