StringJunky

No. Its just that, having got rid of Hep C, I'm using the very positive emotional momentum gained from that to rid myself of two unhealthy aspects of my life; sugar and smoking. The experience from the treatment, which was pretty horrible, makes giving up those two things less of a challenge; that's my theory! Unfortunately, the treatment has left me with high cholesterol, hence my drive against the wrong fats and other contributory factors.

Thank you for sharing that with me mate. And good luck to you, of course. I am pretty much in the same cholesterol boat. However, I don't study my diet with too much scrutiny. Surely exercise and lots of it provide a way out. Eat well and vary it. Take everything you enjoy in small doses. I don't always follow my own advice but I am eating more salad as you suggested.

I think you and I need to tread the same diet path. Eating crap then running it off is a bit like lacing a bullet with penicillin, don't you think?

I like it cool too. The sun is good when its too cold.

I enjoy a good thunderstorm from a roof covered porch, though not so much when I'm getting wet.

The air smells good after one.

Thanks. Same here, last time I spoke to him was in the 90's. I thought I might meet him again one day. This is what happens when you render yourself incommunicado from all channels of family gossip for a few years.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm even more sorry that you and your dad weren't close.

Thank you MigL. Yes, it is a shame but C'est la vie. I was moved to comment here because of how long it took for the news to reach me. My ex-sister-in-law told me on the off-chance: " Oh,you know your dad's died don't you?" My nephew, her son, goes to see his dad, my brother, and he must have told him sometime. Families...

+1

I don't know but I think democracy has a way to balance against extreme politics. Watch and see...

Yes, Jimmy, it's not easy to change what's already been put in place. The civil servants, if it's the same as here, will no doubt make him aware of the consequences of his policies. To out US members: is that the case?

Yes, most adverse outcomes (such as hypertension) are related to caffeine consumption.

There are are far more studies that indicate that coffee (not caffeine) may have a range of (weak) health benefits.

Would you say that caffeine, when present, negates the small benefits of the other coffee components, so decaff is better if those small benefits were the desired outcome ?

That I don't know. The mechanisms of the health benefits are not really known (and they may be confounding factors). However, a handful of studies suggest that decaff also has benefits, but it is much less studied. If you are sensitive to caffeine it could be better, though. Also detrimental effects of caffeine tend to be only short-term (such as increased blood pressure). So even significant consumption (unless we are talking massive amounts) are likely not detrimental in the long term (...

Lets all start waving the Union Jack outside of our window and chant "Farage for Prime Minister" over and over...

I have a rather prominent ex tory minister (who is a europhile) living opposite my office - I rather think he would have me arrested if I did that. I know I would if the situation were reversed.

I would have you sectioned!

I love my music loud as well...

Yes, Moon, as Slade sang "Come on feel the noize"!

Crank it up!

Why is healthy living considered low on quality? Being fit means you can enjoy your body in more ways.

Don't use margarine, it's worse than butter! Think of our ancestors, barring disease or accident they lived long lives and they ate stuff you and i would gag at....

Yeah, Moon, dripping for one

Mostly for arses.

I don't want to be sat on thank you very much.

But if you were, wouldn't you want to be comfortable?

thanks guys. Yrs, I know, Koti. My brother gave up about 25 years ago and would till ask to roll a cig for me; I told him"No". I'll always be able to smoke but I gave up drugs 15 years ago and theygave mealot more pleasure but I still don't touch them. I've always wanted to be totally drug-free and this it. As good as a drug, if not better tohave taken complete control over myself.

Congrats!

Thanks Charon. It's just hitting me that it is a big deal really. I'd smoked since I was 17. It was harder than I thought it would be, probably wouldn't have done it without the Zyban; the urge was pretty consuming at times.

I'm six days on 1 Zyban a day now and from tomorrow will be on 2 a day. I'm still smoking normally, maybe a bit less. I'm slowly educating my mind into accepting that I can sit without needing to smoke. I tell myself I'm going to be so much better and healthier without it. I will be having my first session with my chemist's stop smoking advisor on Tuesday. Full cessation is planned for next Monday; the Zyban should be at full effect by then. No negatives from the drug so f...

Practically a done deal! Congratulations on smelling human again. From now on, if we see you smoking we get to hit you with a shovel, ya mardy bum!

Yes, Phi it'll be nice not to smell of smoke and have to bleach my fingers; I smoke roll-ups down nearly nothing. "Mardy Bum" ,now, that's what we say in the Midlands when someone's spat their dummy out and gone into a sulk.

Mine's bright yellow.

( yes, I'm vain and shallow )

Ummm... yellow could be the new orange. It's ok to be shallow. That's what this status is about.

You don't need another phone.