It's not as bad as you might think!!

[tim]

Not only did he say 'less salt', but also 'go on the pill'!! I'm not into pills, so - alcohol?

Looked at the ACTUAL units per tot & it was a great deal more than I had thought. I'm sure they've put it up to catch me! Anyway - 21 units per week recommended maximum? You're joking? Mine were 5 times that. Partly medicinal, of course. And it's been at that level since I quit smoking - partly as compensation.

So - like with smoking, after 40 years of that, just quit!! Completely. Which I did a week ago. And I haven't struck Wife or children yet. Hopefully it'll knock the chloresterol level down for good measure.

In both cases - I know I've said this before - it's merely a matter of wanting to do it - rather than being told to & having your birthright taken from you.

But I shall miss that 'glow' in the evening. And the pre-lunch vino.


PS - although I knew that a couple of drinks lowers the BP, I hadn't appreciated - didn't want to? - how dramatically it rises with a few more!!

[tim]

[Heldi]

Tim I don't know whether to commiserate or congratulate!  I must admit my alcohol consumption has crept up but I don't drink everyday and there are some weeks where I don't even have a drop, shock horror!  Friday evening is my danger zone. A glass of vino turns into the whole bottle.

If it's good for you to give up and you have then that is all the better. Well done. Did you have to give it all up? Will you still be toasting Christmas and New Year and things like that?

Wish my OH's mother would take a lesson from you. She has one lung,has developed a heart complaint and still smokes like a chimney. I think she's selfish. I hate smoking.

[tim]

So - why, like wardy, can I not edit my last note on here?? Or re-post it down below? Yet I can do this.

[Derekthefox]

Yes Tim, i have been controlling my alcohol intake as well. From trawling the net, I have found two figures ... the first is 21 units (for men) as a recommended maximum target, with a red line healthy limit of 28 units ... ie I get the inference that there is little change between 21 and 28 units, or so I have been trying to convince myself ...

Anyway I have been monitoring and attempting to control my intake for the last 6 weeks or so, and it is stabilising at about 30-32 units ... using a 7 day averaging. Before control, I reckoned I was knocking back over 50 units a week ...

My cholesterol is low (good diet and exercise :) ) and I don't smoke, so I feel not so guilty about this weakness ... but there is still room for improvement, as long as I don't turn into a health and fitness bore ...

Derekthefox :D

[tim]

wardy - if I had had to, I would not have done it. How's that for cussedness?

[tim]

Why cannot I just add "NB - save this 'picture thingy on the left' - it may be unrepeatable & worth a fortune one day?" ?

OK - I've got it - it won't allow the correct name of my picture thingy!!

[tim]

If I write A****r, I'm barred!!

[redimp]

Do you mean avatar?

[redimp]

onions

[redimp]

Wo - I can write anything.  Might try a really dirty word next.  ;D

[tim]

Just a couple of show-offs!!

[undercarriage plan]

 ;D ;D ;D good on ya Tim, and I know it's all medical fact and all that, but my grandad  lived to be 98. His diet consisted of salted beef, with salt and chips with...salt.....and loved dipping his celery in...salt..... ::)I try and not have too much, but have to admit to cheese on toast with marmite and salt......oh dear ..
Lottie

[RSJK]

Tim, well done on giving the cigarettes up, I gave up three years ago and I was on 60 per day, did not pack up because of health reasons ,I packed them up because of the cost of them. Sorry but I do not believe that the dam things do as much damage as to what they are blamed for, but that is just my opinion.  I have noticed that now that the government as got a good many people to quit smoking  they are coming out with what other things are bad for you such as the salt and alcohol

[redimp]

I gave up fags about two months ago and I could really do with one right now.

[undercarriage plan]

Excellent!! Gave up 1 year, 1 month, 21 days, 10 hours, 34 mins and 50 secs ago....not that I'm counting or anything......sigh.. ;)
Lottie ;D

[tim]

Yes, Lottie - but did he have a high BP? I never did until recently. Or, at least, it was never noticed. As to smoking - never had a cough till I gave it up. Now have chronic bronchitis. It's never too early to quit.

And 'health reasons'? I need to sacrifice myself because the family need the pension. And ,as no other member smokes, it was unpleasant for them. And it certainly saves on redecoration!!

Well done all those who have won the battle. Just keep your fingers occupied on the keyboard!

[undercarriage plan]

Tim, I pity the doctor who would have attempted such a thing....my Grandad was the stubbornest man I have ever known...if doc had told him, he would have just said he was wrong...blunt is not quite the word I'd use...and I imagine your family want you about cos they love you? Just a thought.. ;D
Lottie

[rosebud]

Tim,  WELL DONE THAT MAN for giving up , i gave up 19yrs ago .

[moonbells]

<snip>
Sorry but I do not believe that the dam things do as much damage as to what they are blamed for, but that is just my opinion.  I have noticed that now that the government as got a good many people to quit smoking  they are coming out with what other things are bad for you such as the salt and alcohol

Richard, they aren't as bad as what they are publicly blamed for.
They're worse.
If the medics/epidemiologists released all the currently available information about what damage ciggies do,  people would think it was a conspiracy and it couldn't be true as there's so much... I read about some scary stuff in the course of work and am so relieved most of the family have given up.  I have some very good friends who are intractable smokers and it makes me want to cry.

moonbells

[tim]

I found this (below) quite supportive of my efforts.

Smoking? I was brought up in the days when my parents, grandparents, school teachers - all had 100 cig boxes beside them. I was an avd collector of cigarette cards.
Great with the teachers - when we went down to the cricket pavilion at night, aged between 11 & 13, a few cigs out of each of the Common Room boxes of 100 were never missed!!

Yes, wardy - compensation - that's been my problem too. Exacerbated by being suddenly retired. However, that's all behind us now.