Dear Queenie,

  I have gained a lot of weight recently and it’s all gone to my stomach.

  It’s so bad people have started asking me if I’m pregnant. Some of them really mean it, I guess, but I think some of my friends are just trying to get me to go on a diet.

  Queenie, what’s a good way to stop all the remarks?—Fat girl

Dear Fat girl,

  The best way, of course, would be to lose the excess weight. Have you even considered this? It would be better for your health as well as your self-esteem.

  Meanwhile, you could try telling them the simple truth: “No, I’m not pregnant, I’m just fat.” Hopefully, at least some of them will be embarrassed enough to stop bugging you. And maybe saying it will motivate you to act on my first suggestion.