AH - dear Jo Haywood (Evening Press, November 13). If only I had procrastinated more with my feet up, a glass of wine and box of Pringles, I might not have these unreliable cabriole legs.

Over-enthusiastic soccer, tap and ballet dancing, pounding up and down hockey fields, tennis courts, hospital wards, aerobics halls and nightclubs has resulted in immense footballer's knees.

A third way could be that followed by my sensible dad who was a keen non-swearing cyclist, swimmer and drinker of dandelion and burdock. This course of action may have contributed to his robust fitness at 80-plus and his ability to march about efficiently without falling flat on his face in streets, cafs and theatres muttering Tony Soprano-style expletives... like me.

Anyway, Jo, youth is on your side, giving you time to choose an individual road towards seeking the Holy Grail of lifelong good health and lovely legs.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves,

York.

Updated: 12:16 Saturday, November 17, 2001