Trying to lose weight? Here’s some advice on some simple dieting tips you can try from the book “How to Lose 9,000 lbs. (or less)” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it:

“Buy the foods that you love and measure them out into healthy portions. For example, I buy a big chocolate bar, break it apart into servings, and place each one in a sandwich bag. That way, I can just get one bag from the cabinet, enjoy that amount, and stop eating.”

“Chew lots and lots of gum. You still get the taste and your jaws are still working so part of your brain is confused into thinking that you’re eating. I went through pack after pack of Juicy Fruit.”

— John Stanley, East Palestine, Ohio, lost 25 pounds

“If fat-free salad dressings do not appeal to you, simply mix your favorite regular dressing with a drop of water or touch of vinegar. You’ll use less dressing and have the full flavor you love, but with fewer calories.”

— Susie Galvez, Richmond, Va., lost 121 pounds

“Every Sunday, I spend about an hour cutting up a week’s worth of fruits and vegetables and putting them in little baggies. This saves us time, because we can just open the refrigerator and get what we need. It also prevents us from eating too much, because each bag contains a single serving. If I sat down with a bag of chips or pretzels at work, I’d probably go through the whole thing out of boredom.”

“Drink as much water as your stomach can hold right before bed. Your body will think you’re full and will keep your system running even while you sleep. I lost 60 pounds this way with exercise about twice a week. In addition, you will have a built-in alarm clock when nature calls in the morning.”

Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share.