Those of you who hate sports and live far from gyms and love dogs - get a BIG dog. My big old girl kept my weight in control for many years, and I have really noticed that my activity level dropped way back when she died. We went for long walks at least twice a day, and the companionship and the pace she set made it a very fine exercise. I miss her dreadfully, and I'll be happier and healthier when the next right dog shows up.

About water: most people like water, but some of us, like myself, don't like it very much at all. I've learned to drink enough of it by the simple method of keeping a glass or bottle of it near me all day. For me, it is a chore to drink a whole glass of water, but by having a mouthful frequently, I find by the end of the day I've put back quite a lot.

Another very low cal meal, not nutritionally complete perhaps, but a good light supper choice if you've eaten a good breakfast and lunch - and like broccoli:

Broccoli broken in bite size pieces. I peel and quarter the stems. Add a few slices of onion and a crushed garlic clove, some fresh ginger and a pinch of anise. A cup or more of chicken broth. Tablespoon of oil to fry up the garlic, onions, ginger, add broccoli, toss a bit, add broth, simmer until tender. At this point, you could just eat it as is. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of cornstarch to thicken the broth, and sometimes a dash of soy sauce.

Again, the flavours are strong and satisfying. It's a modified stirfry, of course, but its virtue is that it is very simple to make and involves very little effort.