Sheryl Borden

The first and most important step in beginning any weight-control program is to see your doctor.  If your doctor says it is all right, then you may start.

You must "really want" to lose weight in order to be successful.

You must accept the fact that there is no shortcut to successful weight control.  Fad diets are dangerous; they do not change lifetime eating habits so the weight will come right back on.  Diet is a poor way to think of weight control because the word denotes a short term activity.

You should lose no more than an average of one or two pounds a week.  After all, you didn't gain it that fast to begin with.

RECIPES FROM CHEF JOHNNY VEE

CHICKEN STOCK

1/2       stick unsalted butter

4          pounds chicken carcasses, including necks and backs

1          large onion, chopped

4          carrots, peeled and chopped

4          ribs celery, chopped

1          leek, white part only, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and rinsed

1          head garlic, sliced in half around the middle

10        sprigs fresh thyme

10        sprigs fresh parsley with stems

2          bay leaves

10        peppercorns

            Cold water