Dear Abby

Dear Abby,

I am looking to drop a couple pounds, but I can't decide which diet to try. There are so many and I don't really know if I can be faithful to any of them! Any opinions?

Dieting in GB

Dear Dieting,

I personally would try the simple basic "portion control" diet. All these fad diets end up not working long term. You'll drop a bunch of weight to begin with, but when you go off the course of that diet for even just a little while, you'll notice some weight gain. Portion control, exercise, and don't restrict yourself so much. If you want to have a brownie, YOU EAT THAT BROWNIE! Punishing your body won't do anything except make you want the junk food more, so go ahead and endulge a little, just don't go overboard! Good luck and make sure you are dieting in a healthy fashion!

Dear Abby,

My boyfriend and I broke up just a couple days ago and I'm wondering what is the next step? How do I get over him?

Broken in Brillion

Dear Broken,

If this break-up is for real, I would quit all contact with him cold turkey. Try to stay off of Facebook to avoid writing angry status updates, dont post stuff like "I love my life now that the one thing holding me back is gone" (just as an example) because obviously with a post like that....he's going to know you're hurting, but you'd rather be the mature strong one. Also, don't text or call him. Cut off contact at least for a while until you are strong enough to be civil with each other.

Dear Abby,

I've been kind of seeing this guy casually for about a month. Nothing serious, we just enjoy each other's company. I really like him, but he never asks me to hang out and I'm sick of always being the one to ask. Well, now there is this other guy who is very outgoing and he asked me out to dinner. Should I go? Do I tell my "casual friend" about this?

Not Sure in Green Bay

Dear Not Sure,

Yes, I would tell your "casual friend" about this new guy, but I woudn't feel guilty about going to dinner with this other guy. If nothing serious was set in stone with this other guy, then feel free to play the field, but make sure you're on the same page so that he doesn't think you're "cheating" or "playing" him. Go to dinner, enjoy being somewhat single, and take your time choosing the right guy for you!

Dear Abby,

I am a 30 something single mom and I am looking for someone to share my life with.  The problem I have run into is that in the last month I have met two great guys, one is a divorced father of two and he and I share a lot of interests, but he doesn't seem to want the same things, like marriage and kids.  The other guy is very sweet and we share some of the same interests and he is defintely interested in marriage and kids.  My problem is do I give up on the one who seems to want to keep me at arm's length and pay attention to the one that has the same long-term goals as me or do I wait and see what happens.  I don't want to hurt either of them.
 
Confused in NH

Dear Confused,

Yes, I think you need to ditch the guy who doesn't want the same things as you. You say you don't want to hurt anyone, but isn't he hurting you by possibly wasting your time? Is there the possibility that he could come around? Absolutely! But if you're worried about wasted time and there's another guy who can fulfill your wants and needs, GO FOR HIM! The choice is yours, but if you feel the same about both guys, I would try to make something happen with the guy who shares the same interests as you. Take time to really think about what your heart truly wants, but don't spend your life trying to change a guy who has no intention of changing.

Dear Abby,

My boyfriend and I have been together just over a year and now he has been acting really weird. He never wants to go out on dates, he just wants to sit at home and watch T.V. We never hang with friends or anything, but when I want to hang with my friends (girls and guys) he gets mad. Sometimes he is okay with me hanging with my girl friends, but when I even talk to the guys he gets really mad. He also is very reminding that I am kind of bigger than he wants me to be(belly fat). I don't know whether to just keep dealing with him being mad at me or if i should end it?

Confused in Manitowoc

Dear Confused,

Sorry to say it, but I don't see what there is to be confused about. This guy sounds like nothing a girl should want in a man. He should not be controling who your friends are, whether it's a guy or girl...shouldn't matter. There is an amount of trust that goes into relationships and he doesn't seem to have any in you. The comment that really put me over the edge was the fact that he reminds you of your size...who is he to determine what big is?! There is no such thing as the perfect body. Even models aren't perfect, they have photoshop taking off their every imperfection. Hate to say it, but I think my readers will agree that you need to dump this loser. YOU CAN DO BETTER. I guarantee it.

Dear Abby,

I'm really afraid to sound like a horrible person here....but I have a huge problem. My friend asked me to be in her wedding, but she wants everything over the top and expensive. I only work part-time an have issues making ends meet already, so I want to decline. She is waiting on my answer and it's already akward because I didn't say YES right away....what should I do?

Poor Bridesmaid

Dear Poor Bridesmaid,

I think everyone can relate to having some trouble making ends meet. Whether you're full-time or part-time, times are hard these days. Tell your friend your concerns. Maybe she'll pay up front and you can pay her back, kind of like a credit card. Your friend will only get married once (hopefully) and you don't want to miss it, especially if she thought you were special enough to ask to be in her wedding. Gently tell her that you don't have the money and you don't know how'd you make this work. As friends, you'll work through this together, but you have to talk about it before it can be resolved.

Dear Abby,

I'm having a real tough time getting over my boyfriend. He dumped me about 2 months ago/ :( What can I do to get over him?

Dumped in Green Bay

Dear Dumped,

I asked some of my girlfriends what they would do if their boyfriends broke up with them and combined their ideas with mine, and this is what we came up with! Get a bold new hairstyle. Get something done with your hair that you've been hesitant about because you didn't know if he'd like it. You are your own person, DO WHAT YOU WANT! Or go buy a hot new outfit and wear it out where you know he is....make him regret his mistake! Sometimes writing feelings is the best therapy. Write down how you feel so that you can get the emotions out! Sign up for some intense exercise classes like taebo or kick-boxing and take out your frustrations and shape up at the same time! Consider some of these things and enjoy being singele ;) It's under-rated sometimes...

Dear Abby,

My roommate and I happen to be sisters....however we are totally different. We agreed to go to the same college and share a dorm. We are driving each other crazy! I like to keep to myself and do my own thing while she always has to have someone around! It's driving me nuts, how do I tell her to back off?

Annoyed Sister in GB

Dear Annoyed Sister,

You should have seen this coming! You are her sister, you should know how she is. I'm not telling you that you made a bad decision living with your sister, but unlike random roommate selections that most new college students have to go through, you knew who you were being paired up with. Give in a little. Hang out with your sister. You are both experiencing a new world with college and you should embrace it together. Tell her you need your space, but make sure you give her the same respect you expect out of her.

Dear Abby,

I'm falling for one of my friend's ex girlfriends....and she is falling for me too. Is this ok?

Falling Badly in Manitowoc

Dear Falling Badly,

Yeah....I think this might be bad. Does your friend know about this? I would talk to him first. If he is cool with it, then go with whatever you feel! However, remember that this girl used to date one of your friends. It might be kind of akward....but I don't know the relationship between you and your friend and I don't know how serious him and his ex were. Feelings can't be helped and everyone needs to understand that, but make sure this relationship doesn't ruin your friendship that was there first.

Dear Abby,

So I've been with this guy for about a month now, but I haven't met any of his friends. He says it is because he is afraid that one of them will say something stupid and either make me upset, uncomfortable, or offend me. Is this just an excuse?

Friendless in Appleton

Dear Friendless,

We all know that every group of friends has the one loud mouth who says something stupid or unpredictable. However, it's usually just ONE person. He might just not be ready to bring you into his group yet. The social change of going from single to taken can be a lot for a person. Here's the deal, let it slide for now, however, if another month goes by and you still haven't seen a friend, sit down and have a talk with him...either something deeper is going on with him or maybe he just doesn't have any friends. ;)

Dear Abby,

My boyfriend has seemed irritated the past couple of weeks and I can understand why. He recently lost his job and he has been depending on me financially a lot and I have no problem helping him out because I know he is looking for another job. So since I'm helping him out....why is he acting so irritated towards me?

Helpful GF in Hilbert

Dear Helpful GF,

Here's the deal. Do you notice how when something is wrong with girls they kind of come together and vent, but when something is wrong with a guy, they just kind of isolate themselves. He is distancing himself from you because he feels like his territory is being stepped on. Men feel they are to be the sole providers and protectors of the family, and I think he is feeling like the roles have been reversed. You are a great person for helping him out, and to be honest, if his attitude keeps up, I would stop helping him out until he learns to appreciate you. Sometimes we need to step down and show some humility.

Dear Abby,

I kind of have a random question for you...does it matter when it comes to shampoo and conditioner if they are the same brand?

Hair Question in Manitowoc

Dear Hairy Question,

I actually asked a friend of mine who is a hair stylist if it matters and she said no! You can mix it up all you want, just make sure that they have the same goal. For example, pick a shampoo and conditioner that both concentrate on curly hair, or fine hair, or damaged hair. Otherwise, brands don't matter! Mix it up!