Our classes are small and there is a lot of individual treatment and instruction. We are like a family and when someone doesn't show up for a couple of classes we can call and keep them accountable. It really helps with retention, as far as the people taking classes goes.

We are really busy in January and February, and I see people starting to slack off around May when summer hits and kids are getting out of school. They will go on vacation and miss several classes, and this is really when you don't get them back.

The main thing is to go into the New Year with the right outlook and view it as a lifestyle change, not just a temporary program with a quick turnaround. You need to take several classes and find something you like and can live with. Also, any weight loss program involves diet and exercise, not one or the other. Just take baby steps and don't go crazy.

The outbreak response team is also providing members of her family with prophylactic treatment.

Nate is a great kid. I know that what happened was hard on him and his family; it was hard on us.

If you believe Elian and his family deserve special treatment, do you also advocate giving the same status to the nearly seven million other undocumented aliens in this country?