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cake, candy, cookies, bread, sugared soft drinks, fatty meats, butter, whole milk and butt-building others of the same ilk. Of course, the cutting back also involves smaller portions with each meal, and no second helpings. Not even at that buffet. Some very modest between meal snacks should be limited to trail mix, salt-free crackers, fruits and veggies.

The good list includes fish, defatted poultry, veggies, fruits. Breakfast could be a glass of orange juice, small bowl of sugar-free cereal in low-fat milk and a cup of coffee or tea. The cereal and hot drink could be seasoned each with a teaspoon of honey. Instead of a Big Mac and fries for lunch, a non-meat salad stuffed with fresh veggies and a light low-cal dressing. For dinner, a healthy platter including grilled fresh salmon, with rice and broccoli. Dessert? Fuggetabotit! For an evening snack at the TV set, a carrot sliced into strips can satisfy the yearning to chew on something filling. That kind of strict, but doable menu is the only way to limit your day to 1,000 calories, while making most of them the healthiest calories.

Of course, cutting down to such a drastic regimen should include steady exercise, also with your doctor's blessing. Depending on your age and physical condition, you should be active for an hour a day. It could be just some brisk walking around the neighborhood, an aerobics class or, if you're really fit, some kind of competitive or group workout. Are you ready for tennis, volleyball, golf or hopping into a ring to do some sparring?

While you're on this blubber-loss schedule, which has been pre-approved by your doctor, be sure to monitor your weight at least twice a week. Whatever you do, don't make the 1,000 calorie regimen some kind of obsessive, permanent journey into danger. No matter what your condition, such a drastic plan must only be temporary until you've reached the normal weight for your age, sex and body structure. Remember: starvation can injure or kill just as effectively as overeating. Just ask the Donner Party.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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