Dear Janice,

I cut the labels off my clothes as I’ve gone up a couple of dress sizes, but my fiancé caught on to this and now lectures me on my weight gain.

He says I’m on a slippery slope and that he doesn’t want me to balloon before our wedding next year, and that if I don’t nip in the bud now, I will regret letting myself go.

Now he watches every single morsel I put into my mouth.

I haven’t ballooned, I’ve gone from a size 12 to a 16, and I know I could get back to my old self in no time if I put my mind to it.

I now eat in secret to keep him off my back, and it is becoming a huge issue when it needn’t be.

How do I get him to back off?

Susan.

Dear Susan,

Be honest, if you were OK with your weight gain and appearance, then why are you going to these lengths to disguise your size, and eat in secret?

So, there is an issue here.

Your fiancé does make a fair point because if you continue this way, you’ll be overweight, miserable, and unhealthy. He is worried and is right to voice his concerns, but I’m not sure if there isn’t a bit of bullying going on by him because you should not have to hide clothes tags and eat in secret for fear of his reaction.

Talk to him and see if you can manage your weight loss with his help. Not a repetitive lecture.

You have a massive goal to aim for next year, and you say losing weight is easy for you, so start NOW. But lose weight for yourself, your well-being, and your self-esteem. Good luck.

Dear Janice,

I’ve been searching in vain for a wife for six years. I have dated some lovely ladies who would have made perfect wives, but for one reason or another, they just didn’t want to settle down.

We dined in the best restaurants, drank expensive wine and cocktails, but even that didn’t seem to be enough.

After a few dates some of them seemed to be bored, made excuses and ended our date.

One lady’s excuse was that I was ‘too kind’, another said I was ‘rather predictable’, and I am not sure I know what either of them meant. I am well-mannered, articulate, and just want a lady who loves the finer things in life like I do. Am I being old-fashioned? How can I attract a compatible wife?

John.

Dear John,

Hoards would be happy just being wined and dined in the finest of places, but would they be there for you, or just the overpriced gourmet dining?

If it’s the latter, then is that the kind of wife you want to attract?

Perhaps you are giving these women the impression that they can be bought, because from what you have told me, your cash seems to be the only thing on offer.

Deciding that someone is a potential wife when all you have done together is dine out, is rather shallow.

Did you ever go on fun days out, a game of bowling, the cinema…… anywhere that might have brought out your personality? Maybe that’s why you were described as predictable.

Also, I am guessing that you dropped the ‘M’ word early on, which is enough to make most dates choke on their filet mignon!

John, kind as they may be, your actions smack of desperation, so back off until you see positive signs that you’re on the same page.

Next time, dine out, plan a fun activity, and keep your plans for a future wife to yourself until at least the coffee is poured!

Dear Janice,

My beloved dog Elsie passed away a couple of months ago and I am completely lost without her.

She was the first and last thing I saw every day and I thought as the weeks went by, I would get accustomed to her not being there, but I feel even sadder now.

I am 75 years old, and my children agree that it would not be fair to own another puppy as I couldn’t look after it. Their only suggestion was that I buy a budgie!

My Elsie was the one thing that kept me fit because hail, rain, or shine I walked her every single day. I thought of asking my neighbour to take me to buy a dog. What do you think?

Sadie.

Dear Sadie,

It must be a huge loss not having Elsie in your life anymore.

Forget the idea of a budgie as it would not in the slightest way be a comparable companion.

I imagine your children reckon another dog may outlive you, or you may get ill and they are left looking after it, or it might be too energetic for you to handle, etc, and all of these concerns are viable. Next time they visit, ask them to check out www.scottishspca.org where you can all look through the guide to you potentially rehoming a dog.

You need to register and be assessed to ensure you are capable and live in the right environment for a dog, and if all is good, they will match you with one in keeping with your lifestyle, age etc.