DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started an exercise regimen that my doctor recommended. I walk about five miles a day. I am really getting into it now. I got a pedometer to count my steps because my doctor told me that I should walk at least 10,000 steps a day. I am building up to that, and generally I feel pretty good about myself. Now that the weather is nice, I have been walking at the neighborhood track and in the park, which is nice. I was talking to some friends the other day and told them what I've been doing. One of them started laughing at me. She said I would never reach any fitness goal with just walking. She then proceeded to tell me all about the workout that she does and why I should do that. I don't doubt that her extremely rigorous workout would whip anyone into shape. She's so buff, but I am not ready to do her routine. I have a lot of weight to lose, and I want to follow my doctor's plan and stick to it for a change. How can I get my friends, especially this one, to understand where I am and be supportive even if I am not ready to step it up to their level? -- Stepping Up, Seattle

DEAR STEPPING UP: Give yourself a lot of credit for starting an exercise program that your doctor says is best for you. What's most important is that you develop discipline around it so that you will stick to it no matter what. Walking, by the way, is excellent for the body -- no matter whether you are overweight or perfectly toned.

As far as your friends go, if they are not encouraging you, stop telling them what you are doing. Stay laser-focused on your goals. Pay attention to the other people you see who are walking. You may want to identify a buddy who is already doing a regular walk to be a support. If you find someone you like, you could talk about meeting up at the track at particular times. Or you could just chat about each other's goals and accomplishments when you see each other. That may be where you find outside encouragement.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband constantly berates me over every little thing. One of his favorite questions to me is "What's the matter with you?" He asks that with a sneer in his voice whenever I don't follow his line of thinking or if I don't know something that he thinks is obvious. I realize that I do not have thick skin about this. It hurts my feelings, and every time I say something to him about it, he shrugs it off, saying that I am too sensitive. How can I get him to see my side? -- Fed Up, Chicago

DEAR FED UP: Start taping your conversations, using your smartphone or another recording device. When you capture him speaking to you in that way, tell him you want him to listen to something. Make sure that you have a good example, so that it can be obvious to him how he is communicating with you. After he listens, ask him if he can hear his tone and imagine why it might upset you. Hearing himself may be the wakeup call he needs.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently moved to a residential neighborhood. I like my neighborhood, but I have one complaint: There are prostitutes in my neighborhood, and, as far as I can tell, they work only one day a week. I see them every Sunday morning when I go to church, and I am amazed to see the police drive by them without saying a word. If these people do not faze the police, who can I call to make a complaint? It is not a proper sight in a residential neighborhood. -- Sight for Sore Eyes, West Orange, New Jersey

DEAR SIGHT FOR SORE EYES: Start by asking some of your neighbors who have lived there for a longer period of time about the history of the area. Find out their thoughts about the prostitutes. Express your concern, and ask questions of them about how others view their presence. Suggest that the neighbors team up to approach the police about getting prostitutes out of your neighborhood.

It is possible for you to take this on by yourself, but it is far more likely for you to meet with success if you have a collection of residents who are committed to cleaning up the streets. Together, you can write to your local precinct to ask for action. You can reach out to your local politicians and to your member of Congress for support.

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the first time in 30 years, I am sober, and I do not know what do with myself. When difficult situations showed in my life, I used to drink my pain away. I was even a better driver when I was drunk. Now that I am sober, I am scared to drive on the highway. What are some alternative ways to deal with my problems when they arise? -- Staying on the Wagon, Memphis, Tennessee

DEAR STAYING ON THE WAGON: Congratulations on your sobriety. It is no small feat for you to have turned this corner. To ensure that you stay on the wagon, you need to surround yourself with support. Start by joining your local Alcoholics Anonymous group. Go to meetings at least once a week where you are in the company of people just like you who are working to protect their sobriety and rebuild their lives. At these confidential meetings, you can talk about whatever is going on in your life and be heard by people who understand your journey.

One of the things AA warns people about is "people, places and things." Do your best to stay away from any of those that might be triggers to get you to drink again. This means ending relationships that are unhealthy. Don't go to events or locations that might make you vulnerable. Remove alcohol from your home so that there is none available in a potential moment of weakness.

If you have health insurance, find a therapist to work with you, someone who is certified in dealing with alcohol addiction. A professional can help guide you when you need support. Good luck! You can do it!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend is dating someone I dated casually a few years ago. It's perfectly OK with me, but she says that she wants us all to be friends, and even possibly double-date. If we do double-date, what is the best course of action to make sure it isn't awkward? Do I joke around about any past issues, or just pretend they never happened? -- Retread, Cincinnati

DEAR RETREAD: What's most important is for you to let your friend know that you previously dated this guy so that it doesn't come as a surprise to her. You say that it was casual dating, but then you mention "past issues." You have to decide your level of comfort as it relates to becoming friendly with him again. Just because your friend wants you to double-date does mean that you must do so.

If you want to give it a try, go out as a group and pledge to stay in the moment. There should be no reason for you to bring up old memories. Joking around about issues from your dating history is an unnecessary action that will only lead to discomfort for everyone. The issue is not that you would be pretending something never happened. It would be living in the past. Instead, live fully in the here and now.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend started dating a guy I know. She's been posting a lot of pictures on social media of the two of them, but she's never actually told me and the rest of the people in our friend group that they are dating. She told some of her other friends who don't know the guy. I want to talk to her about the relationship, but I'm kind of offended that she didn't tell us in the first place. Am I right to feel hurt? -- Snubbed, Jackson, Mississippi

DEAR SNUBBED: I say get over your hurt feelings. It is not worth it to make her feel guilty for not informing you of her new boyfriend. Take the high road instead. Reach out to her and see if you two can get together. When you do, you can tell her you saw on social media that she has a new friend. Ask her how it's going. Tell her that you know him.

Suggest that the three of you get together sometime, or better yet, recommend that the two of them join your shared friend group at an upcoming gathering. Encourage her by saying that they would like to meet him, too.

Listen to get a sense of where she is in this new relationship. If she seems apprehensive about introducing him to you and the others, ask her why. Again, rather than telling her that she hurt your feelings, tell her that you miss her and that you are happy to welcome her new friend into your life.