Her fitness level will be low. But if Bridget can beat her nicotine addiction she will feel more in control of her chaotic life, says Bates. Most smokers feel the habit controls them and giving up makes them feel they have regained control over their lives. It will also open up the door to a healthier lifestyle. If she replaces her smoking with exercise, she won't put on weight and she'll feel happier, fitter, and a great deal more confident.
Women can drink up to a healthy quota of one to two drinks a day.
She represents a growing phenomenon that has started to worry health experts in recent years, says assistant director of Alcohol Concern in the U.K., Sue Baker. Professional women in their 20s and 30s are drinking more and incidences of alcohol-related conditions such as cirrhosis are increasing. They are single, independent, and professional women who are not marrying at such a young age or having children. Women have more fat in their bodies than men and this means alcohol circulates around the body in a more concentrated form. The perennial problem with alcohol is that society does not perceive it as a problem drug, says Nigel Hughes, chief executive of the British Liver Trust.