Keeping Well?

I've had better weeks ...
A couple of weeks ago I was summoned to my doctors' for a Keep Well check-up. Keep Well is an initiative launched by the Scottish Government (actually Executive, it was a Labour initiative so I'll blame them)that targets Over-50's (don't rub it in) with the aim of catching illnesses at an early stage to prevent things getting worse.
Well, as you can see from the picture above (I am the slightly flushed chap on the right, pictured with my youngest son Kevin), I am a man in the full bloom of rude health, so the appointment held no fears for me. Yes, perhaps I am just a tad overweight; yes, I do smoke; no, I don't take exercise; yes, I am partial to the odd bridie and occasional packet of cheese'n'onion, but other than that - no, no problem! My blood pressure and a blood sample were taken and I was on my way ... a totally painless exercise
However I received a letter (containing a booklet about cholesterol - what could that possibly signify?) asking me to make a further appointment, so I dutifully returned to the surgery on Thursday.
I have had more comfortable half-hours. I won't bore you with the medical details, but ... I'm overweight, blood pressure is too high, cholesterol is too high and, put simply, I have a 50% chance of having a heart attack during the next ten years.
Not the most cheery of news, but not totally unexpected either. Given a fairly stark choice I had decided to drastically alter my lifestyle, with immediate effect (well, starting next Monday) - not that I have had a fright, mind, it was always on my 'To-Do' list, and has been for years ...
The days of the fags, crisps, chocolate and junk food are over. Gone are the days when I jumped in the car to go to the baker for pies and cakes. My cupboards are now bulging with cereal bars, fruit and veg; healthy options abound.
Soon, you won't recognise the man. I remain focused on running in the marathon at Beijing in 2012. Keep Well? Well, I'll have to get better first ...