DR. WALLACE: I am a high school senior and played football for four years. My girlfriend lives 10 miles from my house, and since I don't have a car, seeing her is difficult. I've been thinking about hitchhiking and would like to hear your thoughts on this. I can take care of myself physically. - Nameless, Crown Point, Ind.

NAMELESS: Do not hitchhike! There are just too many misfits roaming the highways looking for young victims of both sexes. If you find yourself looking down the barrel of a loaded revolver, your size will hardly matter. And once you're inside the vehicle, you're at the mercy of the driver.

I ENJOY BEING FAT

DR. WALLACE: I enjoy your column, but I'm sick and tired of you always saying to "lose weight by eating nutritious meals and daily exercise."

I'm 35 pounds overweight and I plan to stay that way. I'm 16 and enjoy eating. I also am a good dancer and I throw the discus and I shot put for our track squad. I have a great sense of humor and I'm well-liked by my fellow students. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that I have a 3.91 grade point average.

Continue your anti-drug, tobacco and alcohol pitches, but lay off telling fat kids to lose weight. Some of us enjoy being fat. I'm one of them. - Nameless, Mobile, Ala.

NAMELESS: My main goal for encouraging overweight teens to lose weight is for health reasons. With obesity comes a much higher risk of certain illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain cancers and osteoarthritis. Medical experts say that overweight children are 70 percent more likely to be overweight adults.

That is why I encourage overweight teens to eat nutritious foods and to start a daily exercise program, with walking as one of the better programs.

YOUR DREAM GIRL IS STILL WAITING

DR. WALLACE: I dated Sophia for two years and we broke up when we went to different colleges. I had great hopes that we would get back together after we graduated, get married, and live happily ever after.

Last week I read in our hometown paper that she was engaged and was planning to get married. I was shocked when I read the engagement announcement. This is the same young lady who told me that she loved me with all of her heart and soul. Somehow I think she still loves me.

The girl of my dreams is gone and I don't know how I'll ever get over her. Any quick cure will be welcomed. — Sad Guy, Palo Alto, Calif.

SAD GUY: The real girl of your dreams is still waiting for you to find her. Your search should start immediately!

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.