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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2424 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Fuel-Saving Tips Weight-Loss Tips From Diet And Nutrition Experts (NAPSA)—Weight control is hard work for overweight adults but it can be a whole lot easier with a few tips from the experts. Everyone approaches weight loss in a different way, but there are a few tried-and-true rules. Here is some advice to help you shed a few pounds: • Keep a food diary. Know what you are eating. It’s easy to think you hardly eat anything, but calories add up. • Write down manageable goals. Instead of “I will lose three sizes by summer,” try “I will eat a healthy, low-fat breakfast and lunch this week.” Half a pound a week can add up to a 12-lb. weight loss in six months. • Begin an exercise program— walk for 10 minutes—even five minutes—if that’s all you can tackle right now. • Reach out. You need the support of family and friends. • Monitor your environment. Make it more diet friendly. “Let’s face it—temptation is much easier to resist if it’s not around. Managing weight loss successfully is more than managing eating and activity habits; it also includes managing your environment,” says Anne Wolf, M.S., R.D., University of Virginia School of Medicine dietitian. • If your weight won’t budge, talk to a registered dietitian or local pharmacist. There could be an underlying physical reason for stubborn weight. A registered dietitian or local pharmacist can also give you tips on products to help, such as alli, the only FDAapproved, over-the-counter weightloss product with a plan. Adding alli to a low-fat diet can help people (NAPSA)—Slowing down and driving safely could help put the brakes on fuel consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that each mile per hour you drive over 60 miles per hour is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon at the pump. Plus, DOE says that aggressive driving—jackrabbit starts and hard braking in particular—curbs mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds. Losing weight requires lifestyle changes and lots of patience. It will not—and should not—happen overnight. lose more weight than dieting alone. • Take it slow and expect to have a few missteps along the way. Forgive yourself and focus on what to do differently next time. • Persevere. Avoid “all or nothing” thoughts. A bad week is a detour, not the end of the road. • Identify triggers. Try to understand what events or circumstances led to overeating. Anger, stress, loneliness or the blues are common when dieting. Be ready for them. • Turn your back. When you sense a trigger, change direction. If you’re in the kitchen or near food, go somewhere else. Just walk away. • Watch portion size. One of the easiest weight-loss strategies is to control portion size. Get to know the amount of food you eat. Often, we get in the habit of eating a certain amount of food to feel satisfied. And if we’re served more food, we’ll eat more. For more information on weight loss and the alli program, visit www.myalli.com. The right engine additives might boost fuel efficiency. But it’s not just how you drive your vehicle that affects its fuel consumption; it’s what you put in it, as well. For instance, mechanics say adding engine treatments such as those made by XenTx Extreme could boost fuel efficiency and increase performance. The company makes an engine treatment, a transmission treatment, a diesel fuel treatment and a spray lubricant that provide benefits ranging from increased power and torque to extended engine life and fewer emissions— all while improving gas mileage. For more information, visit www.xentx.com. Timeless Trends Meet New Favorites (NAPSA)—Decorating a home doesn’t have to be difficult. Designers say the key is to work with pieces you already have and then add a few surprises to liven up a room. That means simple things, such as new throws, a new lamp or a different centerpiece, can energize a space, as can adding a few new key pieces of furniture. You can also decorate to match some classic trends. Carol Donayre Bugg, ASID, director of design for INTERIORS by Decorating Den (IDD), says clients consult with IDD decorators to get the scoop about what’s in fashion. The decorators visit a client’s home, discover her tastes, style and budget, and then shop the world of home decor, from literally hundreds of private manufacturers, to help build the perfect room. They even handle the minute details of decorating, from arranging for furniture deliveries to the hanging of window coverings. So what are Bugg’s clients looking for this year? Here’s a closer look: Mixed Matches Bugg says neo-traditional styles are making new inroads. A great example is the living room created by decorator Julie Bass. It smoothly marries contrasting fabric, textures and furniture styles—think skirted tables layered in a gorgeous silk plaid, armless slipper chairs in textured gold damask, or a robust sofa covered in burgundy chenille. Additionally, the simple shirred heading of the room’s drapery Luxe Living—New furnishing styles add glamour to everyday living. design is enriched by the extra fullness of the embroidered faux silk, which has been pulled dramatically to one side with an accent tieback. The decorator finished the look by having the walls painted “humble gold.” Livable Glamour All of these diverse elements were beautifully and carefully assembled by the decorator to satisfy her client’s wish for a casually elegant traditional setting in which to entertain friends. The room has become a favorite place for hosting wine-tasting parties. Bugg observed that some trends move in and out of fashion at the speed of the changing seasons, but you can count on the everlasting appeal of traditional and its dependable association with gracious living. Get Expert Advice An important step in decorating a special room in your home is to get a free consultation with a designer. To find out how or for more information, visit the Web site www.DecoratingDen.com.