DR. WALLACE: I really need your help. My best friend is getting married in a month and I've agreed to be her maid of honor.

The problem is that I've been having boyfriend problems for the past year and when I was depressed, I over-ate. Before my love problems, I weighed 112 pounds. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm now 135 pounds.

Please, please tell me what I can do to get rid of my flab in 30 days. I have to order my dress. — Nameless, Mobile, Ala.

NAMELESS: A crash diet is never a good idea. Your best bet is to view these circumstances as a catalyst for long-term weight loss, but plan to attend the wedding somewhat above your ideal weight. The focus will be on the bride, in any case — not on the maid of honor!

Remember, it took you a year to add those unwanted 23 pounds; they won't disappear in 30 days. To maintain your 112-pound ideal weight, you should have consumed an average of about 2,000 calories daily. Instead, you averaged 3,450 daily calories. Simply stated, it takes 18 calories per pound daily to maintain a certain weight.

By consuming about 1,500 daily calories, you will lose four pounds in a month. For health reasons, you would be unwise to try to lose weight at a faster rate. By starting a well-balanced 1,500-calorie daily intake and following through, you will take about five to six months to reach your "pre-love problem" weight. Also note that it takes about 3,500 extra calories to add one pound of excess weight.

Maintaining proper body weight is an extremely difficult task because we must eat daily to survive and the temptation to eat too much is sometimes overpowering.

THANKS FOR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

DR. WALLACE: In a recent column you said, "Little did I realize that my teen column would evolve into a cooking column." Well, it has evolved into more than that. Let me explain.

I am a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) instructor for multiple offenders. A good part of the 21-hour substance abuse course they are court-ordered to attend is devoted to current events involving alcohol. The "students" are required to bring in an article having to do with alcohol and other drugs each time we meet. They each read their article and discussion follows. It takes up the first hour of each of the seven classes that make up the course.

When I am giving them their instructions about securing these articles, I always mention your column as a good source. Dr. Wallace has been present in many of our classes over the years. I wish you could hear some of the heated, productive discussions that ensue. You'd be proud. Thank you for your knowledge and expertise, but most of all, for your straightforward answers devoid of preaching. Please, please, keep up the good work advising teens about the pitfalls of alcohol use. — DUI Instructor, Tampa, Fla.

INSTRUCTOR: Thanks for the vote of confidence. You can continue to count on me to spread the word that alcohol is bad news and that alcohol combined with driving must never be tolerated!

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. Email 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.