Ever feel that your life and body could benefit from occasional advice in the form of a guidebook? I didn't until I acquired the fantastic "The People Maintenance Manual" at a book stall in London's South Bank for £1. It's the perfect coffee table appurtenance and can be picked for essential tips on how to maintain your body.

Just read nugget of an extract on social pressure and dieting struggles ...

Overeating as a lifestyle

Eating and drinking are diabolically pleasant. Even worse is that food and drink are even more pleasant taken with friends. The result is that normal people with normal appetites stop off for the odd drink with a friend, eat one more course than they really want if dining out, drink two more glasses of wine than they ought to at dinner parties, eat cakes mid-morning and eat at parties just for the fun of it. The net result is a bit of extra weight and a bit more guilt. The guilt reduces the pleasure and the most comforting course then is to eat more.

I've also learned that ...

hair should be washed every four to ten days

Published by Colm.