Healthy living... you can keep it thanks

Two of my colleagues in work are currently on a healthy living mission. Quite frankly, it's depressing.

Since January 1, the two of them have been engaged in a challenge to lose weight and get fit. What's worse, they've set targets - one is aiming to lose a stone in a month, the other two stone.

As a result, they've eaten nothing but baked potatoes and fruit, and they've talked about nothing but exercise and calories. And they're not alone - almost everybody I talk to seems to be trying to get healthy at the moment.

This is all very worthy and we've all seen those adverts telling us that we're all doomed because we just sit in front of the television and eat takeaways.

But why January? I know it's the beginning of a new year and we're all feeling a little guilty about the number of mince pies we ate over Christmas, but January's already the most miserable month of the year - it's cold and dark, the festivities are behind you for another year and spring is still a long way off.

So why make it even more miserable by tiring yourself out with exercise and cutting down on unhealthy and, let's face it, good food. There's plenty of time for salad when the summer arrives...

I think they're trying to tell me something...

Well, Christmas has been and gone with it's usual selection of parties, over-indulgence and presents.

As I've said before, I love Christmas but this year my enthusiasm was somewhat dented by a recurring theme in the presents that people had bought me: namely, age-defying beauty products.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind using moisturiser after shaving. In fact Melissa has accused me - wrongly, I might add - of having more beauty products than she does.

Anyway, I was a little be concerned when, having grabbed my presents from Melissa on Christmas morning, I unwrapped several products which claim to 'firm up tired-looking skin' and 'visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles'. This is not good as it means people - in this case Melissa - are starting to notice that I'm getting older.

My misery was compounded when I discovered mum and dad had bought me products from the same range. I mean, if my parents think I'm starting to look old, what hope is there?

Looking on the bright side, though, I've now got so many 'age-defying' products that if I use them all, I should look about 21 this time next year. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll feel like it.