Trying to lose weight? Here's some advice on how to eat healthily from the book "How to Lose 9,000 lbs. (or less)" (Hundreds of Heads Books, $13.95), straight from people who've done it:

“A blender is a girl’s best friend. I don’t have time to eat breakfast so I whip up a fruit smoothie almost every morning—frozen fruit, bananas to make it creamy, nonfat yogurt and milk. Even my kids like them.”

— Jessica Rothman, New York, N.Y.: pounds lost: 25

“Healthy food can be the best tasting food there is; it’s that fake diet stuff that’s so depressing. I try to find pleasure in the things I can still eat. I grow vegetables so I know they will be the best vegetables ever, I bake bread. I still eat very well in terms of flavor. You can’t beat a fresh tomato from the garden, but try feeding me a low calorie snack bar, and I’ll cry.”

— Felix, Chapel Hill, N.C.; pounds lost: 25

“I would love to do the leisurely, French, two-hour lunch thing, but get real; I’m lucky if I get 20 minutes to stuff something into my mouth. I recently started packing healthy “mini-meals” for work. Instead of my usual afternoon Starbucks run, I’ll have a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, cheese sticks and fruit, or some yogurt. I find that having just a little bit of protein is a great pick-me-up for the afternoon fizzle.”

—Natalie Grosdayk, Jamaica Estates, N.Y.; pounds lost: 12

“I used to hate fruit, but now fruit is an inexpensive, sweet fix for me. A banana and a cup of milk is a safe and healthy snack.”

— Kara, Chicago, Ill.; pounds lost: 217

“I enjoy whatever I eat right after a workout, even if it’s just celery sticks or a bran muffin. I think food tastes better after you get your blood pumping. I don’t know if that’s a mental thing or a physical thing, but it is almost always the case.”

— Terry Harrington, Cumberland, Md.; pounds lost: 13

“I’m always happiest eating stuff from my garden that I’ve grown myself with my own two hands. Nothing tastes better than tomatoes or potatoes or beans that I’ve tended to myself. Stuff from your garden is always healthy. I’ve never seen a garden with sticky buns growing in it. But if you ever do, please let me know.”

— Walt Bullock, Barrelville, Md.; pounds lost: 9

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. Visit www.hundredsofheads.com to share your advice or get more information.