DR. WALLACE: I'm a 16-year-old guy, and I'm really attracted to a certain young lady my age. I met her at a party and she seemed interested in me. I asked her for her telephone number and she gave it to me and asked me to call her sometime. Well, yesterday was the time. I called her, and we talked for about 15 minutes when I finally got the courage to ask her for a date. She told me she would love to, but that she was going steady with a guy she really loved.

I was so shocked I nearly dropped the phone. I then asked her why she gave me her phone number and then asked me to call her, and she said that I seemed like a friendly guy and she wanted for us to be friends. I hung up a confused guy. I don't want to be "just friends" with her. I want to take her out. What should I do? — Tom, Ames, Iowa

TOM: Call her again and give her your telephone number and ask her to please call you when she isn't going steady. If she calls, have fun, but don't sit and wait for the call. There are a lot of charming girls in Ames, and some of them will enjoy your company.

SWEET DREAMS

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and this past summer started a complete "body makeover" program. I eat properly and exercise regularly, and in two months I have lost 17 pounds. I still need to lose about a dozen more pounds, so I'm staying on my program. Once I get down to 120 pounds, I intend to maintain that weight.

My mom is a great cook and baker, so we always have an abundance of food around. Don't get me wrong. I'm not blaming my mother. She didn't force me to eat her mashed potatoes filled with cream and butter smothered in creamy chicken gravy or her raspberry swirl cake covered with fresh raspberries sitting on a mound of luscious whipped cream.

Those days of me "pigging out" on these types of foods are over. I now try a taste instead of a huge serving. I jog two miles daily in the evening after homework and dinner. I really enjoy the workout.

But I do have one nagging problem since I started my "new me" program. I have a difficult time going to sleep. Could this be caused by my change in my eating pattern? How much sleep does a teen need? — Lauren, Waco, Tex.

LAUREN: Congratulations on your "new me" program! I realize that it is difficult to forgo mom's delicious dishes, but those extra calories definitely add up.

According to Dr. James Mass, author of "Power Sleep," teens should have about 10 hours of sleep per night. He offers these tips for getting a good night's sleep:

— Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m., including soda, iced tea, coffee and chocolate.

— To create a stress-free environment, keep homework and other non-slumber activities to a minimum in your bedroom.

— Don't exercise within 3 hours of bedtime. You'll be too pumped up to sleep.

— Keep your bedroom no warmer than 75 degrees.

Sweet dreams!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.