Dear Hillary,
I have a real “big” problem. I am overweight. Not only that, I am unattractive, and my husband always seems to turn his head toward all those beautiful young girls here. Can you understand how that makes me feel? My buttocks is huge and my thighs are plump. I’ve tried several types of diets, but nothing helps in the long run. My face gets thin, my breasts melt away but - everything else stays. Is it possible to cure plump thighs and buttocks with creams or lotions?
Lady-Buddha
Dear Lady-Buddha,
Not at all. But because of consumer gullibility, the cosmetic market is really well-stocked with various types of creams and lotions, all claiming to act against cellulite. These products fall into two main categories: One group contains enzymes which are thought to break down connective tissues and release the trapped toxic waste. The second group is based on seaweed and contains plenty of vitamins and trace elements like iodine and is thought to aid in purification. Doctors are absolutely sure neither of these externally applied products are of any use because neither of these agents can reach their targets so deep below the skin, nor are they capable of breaking down the pockets of the so-called ‘toxic material’ in the connective tissues. All that these cosmetics can do is to make a real big dent in your pockets.
To lose weight sensibly, the safest and most effective way of slimming is to lose weight slowly. Crash diets should be avoided as they often fail. This is simply because they cannot be sustained. Moreover crash dieting can adversely affect your beauty, making you look haggard. An advantage of a gradual diet control is that your taste in foods can be adjusted over a reasonable period of time so that the craving for certain food items is reduced.
The solution of these problems lies in a sensible diet control combined with a good exercise schedule, which will also help you to firm up relevant muscles. And most importantly, proper dieting together with exercise will make you feel fit.

Dear Hillary,
I always read your column. You have answered some letters from young kids already. I hope you will also answer my letter.
I am a girl, 11 years old, and I am terribly confused about what masturbation really is. One of my friends said its when you feel yourself and another said its when you stick something up your vagina. Which is it?
Please don’t tell my name, my mother would have a heart-attack.
Confused.
Dear Confused,
First, it is my pleasure to write to young people. I am always pleased if I can help them, one way or the other. Second, don’t worry, we wont write your name down, to save your mother from a heart attack and you from being punished.
Now to your question: Both of your friends are correct. Masturbation is when you touch and stroke your body in a way that makes you feel sexual pleasure. What’s enjoyable varies from one person to another but the exiting part is finding out what you enjoy. For some people, masturbation is general body pleasuring, for others it’s stroking or rubbing their genital area or putting something in their vagina - but it’s very important not to use rough or sharp objects.
Much later on, when you form a sexual relationship, what you’ve learned through masturbation will help you guide your partner to stimulate you sexually.