The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-14

NHE following letter will, I have no
 doubt, find it's echo in the hearts of
 many readers:
 Is there any safe way of re-
 ducing the flesh without the use of drugs, by following a diet and exercise? And if so, what can one eat and how can the things be prepared? Does reduction mean starvation and giving up everything good to eat?
 hope you won't think me foolish be- cause I wish to lose flesh, and I am sure you will understand if I explain a little. AS a grill was we'll filled out but never fat and kept a good size for a number Of years after my marriage and the birth of my children. But had a severe illness when I was about 40, and after that began to gain flesh. was rather pleased at first, for I was terribly skinny during my convalescence, but once the fat start ed coming it wouldn't stop. Now I am 50, and my weight Is real burden to me. Two hundred pounds is too much for woman of feet inches to carry, and just hate 1t!
 My husband and my children like to have me go about with them, but am
 
 they would be, too. Then it's incon- venient and uncomfortable. I have had lots of medicines recommended to me, but am afraid of them, for I have known persons who ruined their health by trying things they didn't know anything about and I'd rather be fat than sick But must be either one or the other? I have heard that there are diet biscuits and things of ..L 4x-. -A, and take down the flesh and turn to you to see if you or some of the dear Corner ites won't help me to get myself down to 6 decent size. have seen advice about 1t in other papers in which haven't as much confidence as I have in the Corner but never word from you. Please come to my help. +. $. H."
 Certainly 1t is possible to reduce the flesh by diet and exercise and that with out many privations. At the same time the course requires a good deal of self command and willingness to do without many of the daintes dear to the palates Of most of us think there are numbers Of women who agree with that corpulent sister who declared: " am crazy to get rid of my flesh. and 1 will do anything in the world to lose it-except diet!
 Let me say in the first place that there is no quick and safe method that has ever come my way of losing flesh. Those nos trums that take 1t off rapidly are almost always injurious, and it is well to count the cost before beginning to diet, and de- eide if you are provided with persever- ance and patience, as well as with self denial. Probably for a good while you will see little change in your size and weight, and it is fatally easy to get dis ant.ways of food.
 Another point to be considered is that 1t is not always becoming to lose adipose tissue The skin has become distended and stretched, and when the fat goes away the covering hangs slack and fabby. Far better it is to check the advance of obesity in the first place by care of the food and drink than to get it off when it has once become established.
 Still. while this counsel may perhaps be of service to those who are on the alert to watch the approach of fat it does not assist those who have already fallen vic- t'ms to too much flesh, like the corre- spondent whose letter cries for aid For her benefit and those of others I am willing to give advice as to the kind of ciet to prepare and eat in opder to get rid of superfuous weight and bulk
 As have said, starvation is not essen