DEAR HARRIETTE: In an effort to lose weight quickly for an event, I went on a strict diet with a few of my friends. This diet promises to have you lose 10 pounds in three days. I was committed, and I saw the results when I fit into the dress I wanted to. My friends, however, each couldn't complete the diet because they were on the verge of fainting by the third morning. I saw results, but they're urging me to never do this again. I would never make every day as strict and bland as this diet does, but a few days can't hurt, right? -- Diet Divas, Laredo, Texas

DEAR DIET DIVAS: Most doctors and nutritionists will tell you that following a diet that promises extremely fast weight loss is not healthy. It may work, as yours did, but there are potential side effects to consider. In rare cases, people have heart attacks and strokes when they lose weight too quickly, for example. Upsetting your metabolism dramatically is not a kind way to treat your body.

Instead of following a crash diet, visit your doctor and get recommendations on how to eat to lose weight. You may also want to get a nutritionist who will design an eating program that will help you to maintain your optimal weight.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My company has decided to start a fitness initiative. A lot of our workers are overweight, so the majority decided to start a few softball teams that play each other occasionally. I didn't join originally because I hate sports, and now I am the only one in the office who isn't attending these events. I want good relations with my co-workers, but I don't want everyone to see me sweat. Is my reluctance to take part in the activities outside of the office going to affect my friendships in the office? -- Hey, Batter, Batter, Cincinnati

DEAR HEY, BATTER, BATTER: I have a couple of different thoughts for you. As it relates to not wanting folks to see you sweat, if every other person is sweating, trust that you will not stand out if you join the party. It may seem awkward to you at first, but getting involved in a sporting activity -- even if you aren't good at it at all -- can be a lot of fun.

If you are unwilling to join in, you can still participate from the sidelines. Consider bringing a camera and taking photos or video while your co-workers are playing. You don't need to go to all of the events, but it is smart for office camaraderie to attend sometimes. Showing that you are part of the team is important. Your office culture now includes some extracurricular sporting activities. Go, watch, talk to your co-workers -- and seriously considering playing. You may change your mind about your blanket statement about hating sports. Give yourself a chance to find out!

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in a college town, right next door to about 10 college students. They are all girls, which I like because they are not loud or rowdy. However, my gaggle of neighbors seems to take the phrase "borrow it from your neighbor" literally. I have given them a cup of flour, sugar and occasionally baking soda because they have run out or are short for a recipe.

I learned to make sure I have all of my ingredients before starting a recipe. I don't want to be confrontational with the neighbors, especially since they outnumber me, but I don't want to keep giving out freebies! What can I do to draw the line with these girls? -- Cup of Sugar, Syracuse, New York

DEAR CUP OF SUGAR: Just because your neighbors ask you for recipe ingredients on a regular basis doesn't mean you always have to share. I am all for being a good neighbor; I always encourage people to reach out to their neighbors to form strong bonds. But that doesn't mean you have to end up being their ersatz grocery store. You can tell your neighbor students that you don't have whatever ingredient they want. You can even jokingly tell the truth, that you need to hold on to your ingredients so that you can cook your own food. Since you know what items they typically need, you may also want to offer to pick up some ingredients for them the next time you go shopping. If they agree, ask them to give you the money upfront. Then you can give them the ingredient, receipt and change when you return. Be sure to let them know where you bought it, too, so that next time you can remind them of where to shop.

You can find compassion in the knowledge that you are probably teaching them what's appropriate. College students are not just learning about their educational studies; they are also discovering how to live their lives independent of their parents. The simplest of things could be brand-new for them. Consider yourself their teacher.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is preparing to look for internships between the fall and spring semesters at college. She will have about six weeks to work and is prepping to go on interviews. She has had no prior job experience other than being a camp counselor. It is her first year at university. How can she present herself well when she doesn't have any job experience? I have tried running over questions and how to act with her, but I think she's tired of mom's advice. -- First Gig, Pittsburgh

DEAR FIRST GIG: Your daughter should think about all the skills she cultivated at camp, including being on time, being responsible for multiple children's safety and happiness, being a troubleshooter, staying positive under pressure, being a creative problem solver and so forth. She should think of examples to illustrate these skills.

She should also learn everything she can about each job for which she is interviewing so that she can demonstrate her knowledge of the industry. Finally, she should be prepared with questions that illustrate that she wants to learn as much as possible and that she is willing to work hard.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live at home and bring my lunch to work. Clearly, my finances are not plentiful. For the past two weeks, someone's been stealing my lunch out of the company fridge.

I haven't been able to catch who it is, yet I don't know how easy this could be when around 50 people work on my floor. Not only does the theft cause me to lose my healthy lunch, I lose money having to go buy new food. I hate seeing passive-aggressive notes in the workplace, but I feel like I have no other option unless I want a warmed and spoiled lunch. Is it time to start posting notes? -- Lunchtime Bully, Seattle

DEAR LUNCHTIME BULLY: It is probably time to get an insulated lunch bag that you can keep at your desk, away from the people who share the refrigerator. Clearly, somebody thinks it's OK to steal your lunch. Putting a note on it is not likely to keep those sticky fingers off of it.

Your best bet is to protect your lunch by keeping it in a drawer at your desk so that it is out of sight. Use an ice pack inside an insulated bag to keep your food fresh. Utilize the community microwave if you need to heat something up. Or pack lunches that are safe at room temperature for a few hours.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I will be graduating from college in the spring. My friends and I have discussed living together post-graduation to save money. I have also been contemplating living alone. I really do enjoy my own private space that I can control. However, this is one of the only opportunities I'll ever have to live with friends because we don't have significant others and families. Is the saved money worth the potential headache? I do have a good time with them. It just may be time to grow up. -- One Versus Four, Shreveport, Louisiana

DEAR ONE VERSUS FOUR: Make a budget that takes into consideration all of your financial goals and responsibilities. Figure out how much money you need to cover all of your costs and still be able to save some. Based on your goals, does it make sense for you to live with friends short-term? Many college grads do live a year or two with others so that they can save money, pay off debt and get on their feet. If you walk into a roommate situation with specific financial goals in mind, you will likely be more comfortable with the scenario. Why? Even if (or should I say when) friction occurs, you can remind yourself of your bigger goals.

Living with others can be a huge challenge AND a lot of fun. If you approach this arrangement as a short-term fun experience, you can create lasting memories. Just make sure you that you stay on budget and save as much money as you can, so that the experience will be worth it -- in more ways than one!

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)