Thanks again all - and I have become a Honey Nut Cheerios eater. Been a week and have not staryed a bit (although next week is quit smoking time). Andy - if someone said to me that I could eat drink and smoke whatever I want and I will live to 80 (assuming we are not talking about getting very overweight), or do everyhting right and live to 85, I honestly think I would take Option # 1!

That's what you say now. Would the answer be the same at, say, age 78?

CubDave:

It's not how long you live, it's the quality of life that you have, especially at the end. Healthly habits now will provide the best chance of avoiding a lot of 'stuff' and, especially, hospital visits. Hospitals are a good place to avoid unless it's absolutely necessary to go there and, hopefully, when you do go it's just to visit someone.

So, 80 or 85 is not the big thing, it's maintaining a quality of life that has you enjoying your short stay on earth.

Paragon, I see real humor in your post, considering your current avatar.

But you speak the truth.

When I die, I hope I go in my sleep like Grandpa did. Not screaming and frightened like the passengers on the bus he was driving.

Thanks, Andy.

A reality check for me are the TV advertisements - at least in my area of the country relating to Diabetes blood checking devices, as it means that the general population has an interest, so they also have the problem! It's having to deal with Diabetes and other ailments that may have one thinking that even 65 to 80 is too old. It would be like passing from 'Life's a Beach' to 'Life's a Bi*ch' and then you die at the end of life - what a bummer.

Really, I have never tried eating straight cinnamon but I love anything cinnamon flavored. Finally a treatment that I could get into.

I take Red Rice Yeast and stay away from dairy. Yes and in the summer or good weather I walk. That keeps me off the meds. Good Luck. Snacks (almonds)

Sometimes diet just doesn't work to reduce it. It took medication for me..Lipitor. I lowered it further with diet. The Southbeach diet, if followed correctly, will keep you from wanting snacks but before I went on it I was on a low fat diet and found that pretzels were a great low fat snack.

In the last 15 months I have lost 55 pounds and lower my cholesterol level as well.. but with medicine too.

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Really, I have never tried eating straight cinnamon but I love anything cinnamon flavored. Finally a treatment that I could get into.

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I wonder if a Cinnabon a day will work? I can handle that.

I have heard that sasafrass tea is beneficial in lowering cholesterol. But I beleive that exercise is one of the best things that anyone can do.