For the umpteenth time I have given up smoking.  On January the 1st 2009 I joined the ranks of every other quitter. I have since forgone one of my favourite addictions. I decided it was not enough just to give up one addiction, so I have replaced it with 2 others. Getting fit and trying to lose some weight. I currently weigh 176 pounds, which would be ideal if I was 6′ 4″ but alas I am 5′8″, however at the beginning of ‘09 I was bordering on obese according to my Wii Fit, weighing in at  13 stone 11 (193 pounds). Through the use of cycling, spinning, jogging and a dramatic change to my diet I have lost 17 pounds. I have had several useful tools to help me with my quest, namely my bikes (Specialized Sirrus Pro & Specialized Rockhopper Disc), iPhone (using the Stopwatch and Livestrong App.), Wii Fit for my daily scales, and a digital heart rate monitor.

I think one of the most important aspects in sticking to a regime like this is to have a goal. Mine is to fit into a cycling top which I bought last year! I want to look like Dracula, as Lance would describes his fellow pro cyclists, and in particular  the ultra slim climbing variety.

One tool that I have found useful in my quest to look like a member of the peleton is Livestrong.com’s Daily Plate. Here you can tot up your intake of cereal bars, protein shakes and bacon sarnies. Which makes you think twice before you devour something. This has made it very clear to me how important diet is as well as a physical regime if you want to lose some pounds. A bit of a pain in the butt to use, I now know what being anal is, but it works. This is in essence the same technology that Lance has used to win the Tour de France. I am not guaranteeing that you will win the next Tour, but it might help you drop a jean size or fit into that snug and slinky cycling top that you have always fancied wearing.

In case you don’t know Livestrong is part of Lance’s movement to help fight cancer.

"October 2, 1996. The day it all changed. The day I stated never to take anything for granted. The day I learned to take charge of my life. It was the day I was diagnosed with cancer,"

I am not saying that by visiting Livestrong.com or Livestrong.org and donating something you will beat cancer or get immune to it, but you could play a part in a cure or at least help improve its treatment. I started writing this post in February 2009. Since then I have lost 2 stone, managed to fit into my One Less Car cycling garment and started smoking again. Now, at the end of August 2009, I have decided to finish off this draft.

As I terminate this post, I sit proudly next to my very sick Dad who is lying in his hospice bed asleep. Dad for over a year has valiantly fought bowel cancer. Alas, it seems he wasn’t meant to win. Heaven must really need him. My dad couldn’t have given me a stronger incentive to try and quit my smokes again and get back on my bike. Getting fit and smoke free may or may not help stop me getting this dis-ease, but at least it will reduce my odds. If I am unlucky enough to get it, it will make me stronger so that I might be better equipped to survive it. It won’t make me as courageous as my dad or all the  other  cancer fighters out there, but hopefully I won’t have to be brave, I’ll (hopefully) just act like my astrological sun sign – cancer, the crab and sidestep my way out of they way of it. Who knows what will happen? Cancer could be in my genes, or in my next packet of smokes, or even worse in the genes of my kids or even yours.

Scary. But it doesn’t need to be, we can all pop over to Livestrong and see how we can help. It might not help my Dad but it could possibly help his kids and grand children.

I spend a lot of time sitting down. Up until a few months ago I didn’t give much thought to what I actually parked my rear on. Then I got a cricked neck, and started taking this ergonomic thing more seriously. After a couple of trips to an osteopath, I decided that in the long run, a good, ergonomic office chair was what I needed. My home office and back deserved nothing less.

So, I started doing some research. Visited a few specialist shops, and was taken back (sic) with the high cost of these things. An ergonomic chair is not cheap. But how do you find one that works for you?

I kept looking, reading reviews and then stumbled across the Humanscale Freedom range. The Humanscale Freedom chair was designed by Niels Diffrient and built specifically to encourage frequent, spontaneous changes of posture.

Another thing I have learnt is that one of the most important things is to have good arm rests. I was considering getting a chair without them, which is a good thing if you play the guitar. But I spend most of my time, typing at my computer, arm rests are essential then. What is so cool about the Freedom chair, is that the arm rests are linked together in a deceptively simple, but effective manner. With a little twist the arm rests can be moved up, down or almost completely out of the way when you want to play some heavy riffs on your six string. Brilliant.

Another priority in my hunt for the perfect office chair, was that it should be easy to use. I didn’t want to have to take a training course just to learn how to set it up. Again, this is where the Freedom chair excels. There are only a few simple adjustments to be made. The height, depth of seat, and back position. No thumb screws or allen keys needed, just a couple of simple levers.

Sitting in the chair, at first is a little alien. Used to fixed back recliners, it seems your back is not supported. But this is the beauty of the chair. Just lean back to recline! Niels has put some heavy thought into this chair. It is a wonderful example of great design.

I was sold on the Humanscale Freedom chair. I bought one without the cool looking headrest, which makes it a little more affordable. After six months of use, I am a very happy customer. My neck seems to be getting better too now, which is great. Freedom!

Other chairs to consider

One chair which I love the look of is the Aeron chair from Herman Miller. As used by the Happy Cog team, no less. Although a replacement wheel is not cheap, but then neither is the chair. I love the industrial looking design of the Aeron, and the mesh back is erm, cool.

What I have learnt is that it is not wise to sit still in the same position for long periods while sitting at a desk, and in particular while on the computer. Whatever chair you choose, keep active. Have regular breaks, Tai Chi is once again a good remedy. My Tai Chi Teacher used to say, that Tai Chi was "her pension" No curved or stooped back for her thank you very much.

Where to buy

Being a real cheapskate I bought my Freedom chair from eBay UK. You could also buy yours from Half.

• Humanscale Freedom Official Site
• Herman Miller Aeron