BeautiFitt Health Blog

That got me thinking, by choosing these extreme diets in hopes of fitting into a pair of jeans, feeling better about ourselves, or whatever reason, could we actually be hurting our health? Could my friend’s low-carb diet be the real culprit behind her hideous mood swings? Is a low-cal lifestyle directly linked to the fatigue and headaches so many of us deal with? I did a little digging for some nutritional (not marketing-based) facts behind some of the most popular diet styles. What I found isn’t generally surprising (obviously eating only grapefruits isn’t good for you), but the specifics—which diets deprive us of which nutrients—could help anyone out of a rut toward more energy and less health problems.

1. Diet Culprit: Low- or No-Carb
You’re feeling: Sluggish, nauseous, dulled appetite
Add to your diet: 100 grams of complex carbs (at least)

By now we’ve all tried a low-carb diet (how could we not when Jessica Simpson said that was her secret?), but, as we also all now know, it’s not that simple. “When we restrict carbs, the body goes into a new metabolic state called ketosis, and starts burning its own fat for fuel,” says Lindsay Segal, a graduate student training to become a physician’s assistant. Granted, burning fat sounds like a good thing, but this is actually a dangerous state for the body to enter after a certain period. We usually burn carbs for energy, which then fuels the brain, heart, and all those other necessary systems. But when our body is in this new mode for too long (about two weeks), it produces substances called ketones, which can cause organs to fail and result in kidney stones and even kidney failure. According to the American Dietetic Association, ketones can dull the appetite, cause nausea, and even bad breath. Avoiding carbs—and the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you’d normally get from whole grains and fruit—means your body is missing out on a slew of cancer fighters. To avoid the negative effects of prolonged ketosis, add back at least 100 grams of carbohydrates every day.

2. Diet Culprit: High-Protein
You’re feeling: Tired, unable to concentrate
Add to your diet: Carbs and fat (in place of some of that protein)

Diets focusing on protein, protein, protein go hand-in-hand with the low-carb craze. These plans tell followers to eat between 30 and 50 percent of their calories from protein. The American Heart Association, the National Cholesterol Education Program, and the American Cancer Society, on the other hand, all recommend a diet with a much smaller portion of calories derived from protein. Why? “Eating too much really strains the kidneys, and can make someone prone to kidney disease later in life,” says Jenny Geyser, a certified personal trainer in La Jolla, California. “You don’t need as much protein as you think,” she says. Geyser says an egg or two at the beginning of the day and a serving of lean meat with dinner should provide the average woman with enough. Super high-protein lifestyles—especially when it comes from red meat, cheese, and other high-fat goodies—have been linked to high cholesterol and a heightened risk for heart disease and cancer. As if those aren’t enough reasons to substitute whole wheat bread for that ham and cheese omelet, these diets can be particularly harmful to women since they make it more difficult to absorb calcium. This means a higher risk for brittle bones and osteoporosis.

3. Diet Culprit: Low-Calorie
You’re feeling: Fatigue, constipation, nauseous
Add to your diet: A little fat, a little protein, and complex carbs

“Avoid any diet that calls for less than 1,200 calories per day,” says Lynn Davis, a Colorado-based nutritionist. Though doctors may sometimes recommend a very low calorie diet for obese, at-risk patients, this is only in severe circumstances and with close monitoring. The ADA notes that people severely restricting calories often feel overly tired, constipated, and nauseated due to an extreme deficiency in nutrients and energy. Another common—and more serious—side effect of these plans is gallstones. “For the body to be properly fueled and healthy, we need a variety of food from each food group, which is quite difficult to do when consuming so few calories,” says Davis. “Make sure each meal has some of each.”

4. Diet Culprit: Low- or No-Fat
You’re feeling: Joint pain
Add to your diet: Omega-3s and omega-6s

Just like with carbs and protein, our body also has daily needs for fat—specifically essential fatty acids. “There are dietary requirements for two of these: linolenic acid, an omega-6, and alpha linolenic acid, an omega-3,” says Davis. These support vital systems in our bodies— reproductive, nervous, and cardiovascular. Recent studies have shown that most of us are especially lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in grass-fed beef, fish, nuts, and oils. In addition to the cholesterol-lowering properties of these foods, a diet lacking in them can lead to joint problems, since the body needs these acids to manufacture and repair cell membranes, maintain optimal nutrition, and expel waste. The recommended intake for fat is 20 to 35 percent of a day’s calories. In a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, that means about 40 to 80 grams.

5. Diet Culprit: Meat-Free
You’re feeling: Headaches, fatigue
Add to your diet: Iron

Alexandra James, twenty-four, gave up meat when she was fourteen. “I didn’t like how meat tasted and I thought I’d be healthier and happier if I avoided animal products.” Her new lifestyle had her replacing protein with high-fat and high-starch alternatives, like pizza. “A year later I was constantly fighting headaches and later found out that I was anemic,” she says. Anemia is often caused by a lack of iron, a nutrient primarily found in meat. Anemic people are often tired, light-headed, and suffer from weakness and headaches. If you’re dedicated to being meat-free, meet your iron needs with a daily supplement. We should all be aiming for about 18 milligrams.

6. Diet Culprit: One-Food-Only Diet (Soups, Shakes, etc.)
You’re feeling: Any of the above symptoms
Add to your diet: A balanced intake of every food group

Whether it’s cabbage soup, a shake for breakfast and lunch, or a boatload of grapefruits, these diets leave us consuming far below (for most food groups) and above (for whatever it is we are eating) what’s recommenced by health authorities, like the American Heart and Dietetic Associations. Not only are these quick-fix fads a temporary solution (Hello? Who’s going to eat cabbage soup every day for the rest of her life?), but they leave our bodies lacking major nutrients—and often entire groups of food. “When any diet suggests eating only one kind of food or food group, or eliminating an entire group, that’s a sign that it’s unhealthy and not a realistic way to maintain a healthy weight,” says Lauri Thomas, a Colorado weight-loss group leader. Diets like the grapefruit or cabbage soup plans rely on eating the same low-cal item day in and day out. “Of course you’re going to lose weight by depriving your body of what it needs, but you’re also going to slow your metabolism and possibly cause some serious health problems,” she says. Make sure you’re consuming a variety of foods from every group.

Sure, fad diets are tempting. (What’s not tempting about quick results?) But, chances are, partaking in any one of these plans will not only leave you gaining back whatever weight you lose, but also leave you feeling the side effects of food deprivation. All these diets lack major nutrients, whether it’s fiber and carbohydrates, healthy fats, or particular vitamins and disease-fighting antioxidants. “Being healthy is an important and worthy goal,” says Davis. “And there’s no secret to achieving that. All you have to do is strive for balance and moderation.” Here’s to enjoying food and feeling better.

Have we been tricked into thinking all these tools are necessary? In an attempt to find out if I’d been totally duped by the workout industry, I decided to give my fitness goodies a closer look.

Sports Drinks
University of Florida doctors created the first sports drink in the ’60s to give a little edge to the school football team (the Gators) over the heat and humidity. Gatorade hydrated players with water, with carbohydrates for energy, and with electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium for optimal muscle and nerve performance. Today grocery stores have a bevy of sports beverages in multitudes of colors and flavors, and all claim to be bursting with ingredients that will do wonders for my workout. I’m still skeptical. Sure, elite athletes in muggy Florida need an extra edge, but what about your everyday woman who likes to go on morning runs and take Pilates classes at the gym?

“Electrolyte drinks replenish lost minerals and fluid in the right amount, so you don’t get an upset stomach from having too much, or crashing from having too little,” says Jenny Geyser, a San Diego-based certified personal trainer.

Sports drink formulas have a specific concentration of carbs, usually between 4 and 8 percent. Fruit juice and soda have far more, which causes those awkward mid-workout digestive problems.

When we need it: One thing a fitness drink will do is keep us hydrated. A study published in Medicine & Science found that we tend to drink 25 to 90 percent more liquid if it comes from a sports drink over plain old H20. It also showed that athletes hydrating with a drink containing electrolytes and carbs run faster and longer, have better motor skills, and are mentally sharper. That’s because during an intense workout we sweat, losing water and minerals. (That’s why sweat is salty.) These drinks replenish not only our fluid levels, but also the lost electrolytes quicker than our bodies can, and in the right proportions, too.

When we don’t: If the closest you are to a workout is the distance between your couch and the football on your TV, don’t kid yourself.

“These drinks may have half the calories and sugar of juice or soda, but that’s still extra calories and sugar that you’re not burning off,” says Geyser. She recommends drinking water if you’re not doing a really sweat-inducing workout. And what about those low-calorie and no-calorie versions of these drinks? Many of them don’t even have the same carbohydrate/electrolyte combination that their higher calorie counterparts do, and some light flavoring and vitamins aren’t going to do anything to make you run faster. They’re just going to cost you more.

Fitness Bars
Flip the average bar over and it’s quite possible that there’s as much fat, protein, and sugar as some candy bars have. That said, the right kind of fitness bar can give the body necessary nutrients and energy pre- or post-workout, especially if we’re in a hurry and the only other option is a handful of M&Ms from the office snack bowl. The trick is differentiating between the helpful and the harmful. (Hint: If it’s coated in peanut butter and chocolate, and it tastes like a peanut butter, chocolate cookie, it probably has the calorie and fat count of a peanut butter, chocolate cookie.)

When we need it: A well-balanced bar—without sugary or highly-processed additions—can be a powerful pre-workout energy boost or post-workout replenisher. This means avoiding ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial dyes, and opting for ones that are as close to whole foods as possible—the fewer ingredients, the better. “Food is fuel,” says Geyser. It’s important to fuel our bodies with protein and fiber, and, if we’re in a hurry, a healthy bar can be an effective way to do this.

When we don’t: Scarfing down high-energy bars during a workout of less than two hours is one of the top ten most common diet mistakes, says the American Council on Exercise. Why? Think of high-energy as a nice euphemism for high-calorie. I’m all for the high-calorie, quick energy boost, but from now on I’ll be opting for something a little lighter after evening Pilates.

Gel Packs
After Lance Armstrong finished his first marathon in 2006, runners buzzed about the above average amount of PowerBar Gels he guzzled during the 26.2 miles. Personally, I’m never sure what the difference is between too few and too many. More importantly, is there some magic ingredient in them, or would an everyday (ahem, cheaper) on-the-run snack have the same effect?

“These are a great way to get carbs and calories during an intense workout,” says Lindsay Segal, a graduate student training to become a physician’s assistant. “Your goal should be to consume thirty to sixty grams of carbs per hour during a workout lasting over sixty minutes.”

The carbs refill your body with the glucose (basically sugar) that our brain, muscles, and nerves need to function. We store a limited amount in our muscles and liver as glycogen, which can be depleted, say, during a long spinning class or intense run—pretty much anything over seventy-five minutes. Depleting our glycogen results in what runners call “hitting the wall,” or that feeling of total fatigue. This is where the gels come in. They replenish our muscles with a straight shot of glucose in the just the right amount.

“They keep your blood sugar level without overloading you,” says Segal.

When we need it: It’s best to start fueling a little before you start to crash and burn, about an hour in to your workout. Segal maintains that this point will be a little different for everyone, depending on body size, metabolism, and workout intensity. I’ve found that a gel every hour or so on a long run keeps me going. But this leads me to my other question: If glucose is just sugar, could I be chewing a pack of gummy bears for the same, cheaper, effect? Turns out, the answer is yes.

When you don’t: Leslie Barrie, a former member of the UCLA cross-country team, eats mini chocolate bars on long runs. “My body is craving sugar when I’m out for a long time,” she says. “I’ve found that it doesn’t really matter in what form I consume it, as long as it’s not too much. And I like my candy bars a lot better than flavored gel.” If you find a candy that works for you, or you’re working out over seventy-five minutes, gels won’t be making that spin class any easier.

The exercise industry has flooded us with so many readily available options of bars, gels, and drinks that it’s sometimes hard to imagine working out without them. Though they’re often specifically designed for endurance athletes, I’ve convinced myself that I need special water or a protein bar after average workouts.

Next goal for me? Saving some money and substituting whole foods for the expensive workout goodies, and saving the fancies for seriously long and grueling runs. Hey, with all that extra cash, maybe I will get my Hawaiian getaway.

Say Goodbye to Overcommitting and Hello to More Free Time

Make Good Decisions Initially
Before saying yes to anything, pause for a moment and think it through. Sure, you’d love to help with the bake sale, but when it’s midnight the night before the sale and you still have one hundred cupcakes to make, you’ll be kicking yourself. If you need time to think about it, take the time. Better to say “no” in the beginning than to bail at the last second or to finish the last batch at 6 a.m. If you feel guilty, promise you’ll help out next time.

Schedule Time Off
If Thursday night TV is important to your sanity, schedule it. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone—if you’re busy Thursday night, you’re busy and that’s that. Figure out the things in your life that bring you joy and help you relax and honor those commitments as seriously as you would a work commitment. If you don’t take the time to relax and rejuvenate, you’ll quickly burn out and have to cancel your commitments anyway.

Learn How to Say No
Why is it so hard? Who knows, but this is one of the most important things we can ever do for ourselves. Setting boundaries in your life is up to you and once you figure out how to do it, the freedom and satisfaction you’ll feel is unbelievable. If you don’t want to feel bullied or guilted into something, then don’t. Start by saying “no” to small things and gradually, you’ll build up your arsenal. Remember, you can always say, “Sorry guys, but I’m afraid that if I agree to figuring out the 2009 carpool schedule, I will have to renege on my commitment. I think you’ll be happier if you ask someone else.” That’s still a “no,” but it’s a little more sugarcoated.

If I motivate myself enough to actually pull on my workout gear and then walk all the way to the gym, I’d better be getting a worthwhile workout. Unfortunately, my body doesn’t always see it that way. Sometimes, even once I get myself there, I just can’t shake feeling lethargic or distracted by thoughts of fresh, toasty bagels.

That got me wondering—are there certain types of food that will keep me going without being too filling, or leaving me hungry and tired halfway through? Should I choose what to eat based on what kind of workout I’m doing? I had a suspicion that my mid-workout slump was connected to my pre-workout snack (or lack thereof). And should I be eating something different to fuel up for an easy yoga class as opposed to a hardcore running session?

Pilates or Yoga: Eat Dark Chocolate
“The number one mistake among everyday fitness enthusiasts is that they overestimate how much they work out and underestimate the amount of food they consume,” says Jellison. This means something low-impact (and low-calorie burning), like light yoga or Pilates, doesn’t call for a carb-loading session. (Guess I’ll need to look for a new pasta night justification.)

A snack that’ll give a bit of an energy kick with a low-cal impact is ideal, since this type of workout isn’t a huge calorie-torcher. A piece of fruit, like an apple or orange, gives a carb boost to keep us energized through the downward dog, but weighs in at under 100 calories—making that lean, lithe Pilates body possible. The good news is that since there’s not a lot of bouncing around involved, a bit of sugar, like in dark chocolate, can work beforehand—a boost of energy for relatively few calories. (One snack-sized dark chocolate square has 70 calories.)

Cardio: Eat Oatmeal
I have a really hard time eating before a morning run. I always figured training on an empty stomach would help me burn through all those chips I ate the night before, but, turns out, that’s just not how it works.

“You use up your glycogen stores in about an hour,” says Segal. “Then your body turns to fat stores and muscle tissue as it searches for a new source of energy.” The last thing I want is for my workout to leave me with less muscle than I started with.

To properly fuel your body for a cardio session—to really take that run up from a painful jog to a feel-great sprint—munch on something simple. A small, low-fat snack that’s also low in fat and fiber (to avoid mid-run bathroom dashes) and has a bit of protein with mostly carbs, will steadily provide energy through the workout. I started eating a bowl of oatmeal about an hour before my runs, and I swear they’re faster and a whole lot more enjoyable. (A 1/2 cup of oatmeal has about 150 calories.) If your workout is midday, try a more substantial meal before hitting the gym, like a turkey sandwich on high-protein sprouted bread (non-processed and no added sugar, so you won’t face that blood sugar spike), and some veggies like tomatoes or pickles. I have to admit, the experts are right on this one. Tackling my late night chip-and-dip binge will have to be done separately.

Weightlifting: Try a Protein Bar
Weightlifting requires not only the carb-based energy, but a good supply of protein in the blood stream, so when muscles contract, amino acids are already in there ready to repair the tiny tears that result from muscles breaking down.

A 2001 University of Texas study showed that weightlifters consuming amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and carbs before their workout increased protein synthesis (muscle production) more than lifters who did so only after their workout.

“My solution is a protein bar once or twice a day with between 20 and 30 grams of protein,” says Jellison. He chooses a bar with very low or no saturated fat. “Some have heavy chocolate coatings which add useless calories.”

While whole foods are almost always a better choice, a well-chosen bar is a solid option when you have limited time—they’re packed with a balance of essential nutrients on top of protein and carbs. “Look at the ingredients and the order in which they’re listed,” Jellison advises. “An energy or protein bar that has twelve or more grams of sugar might as well be a candy bar.” (Most Luna Bars weigh in at 170 calories and are low in added sugar.)

Whole food options with good combinations of protein and carbs include yogurt, which activates enzymes that provide quick energy needed for lifting (8 ounces of low-fat plain yogurt has 130 calories) or high-protein cereals (1 cup of Kashi Go Lean has 140 calories).

Jellison, also a decathlete training for the 2012 Olympics, emphasizes making informed choices as the basis for effective eating.

“Some simple, general knowledge of food is a must,” he says. “The more natural something is, the better your body will recognize it as fuel and use it efficiently.”

When in doubt—or when finding myself with limited options—I’ll just try to stick to the basics transcending all these categories. Complex carbs and protein = good. High fat (as in fatty meats, donuts, fried food, or candy bars) = bad, and means a long and often uncomfortable digestion. The way I see it, getting to the gym is hard enough, so why self-sabotage before I even get there?

Turns out, the answer is yes. “Depending on heat and humidity, your needs vary, as well as the type and intensity of exercise you’re doing,” says Mark Jellison, a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

According to Jellison, the difference in calories burned (and the pre-workout calories I need) is enormous depending on the intensity and type of exercise we’re doing. “If the everyday gym-goer recognizes this and consumes calories accordingly, then she’ll most likely meet her fitness goals,” he says.

Size and Type: Go Complex
An effective pre-workout meal should weigh in at a caloric size that reflects the workout type—whether it’s yoga, an hour of hardcore kickboxing, or a weightlifting session. It should also be composed of foods that break down slowly, supplying the body with a steady stream of energy and nutrients.

“A solid pre-workout meal should be full of slow-burning, complex carbs, like whole grain bread, cereal, fruits, and veggies,” says Lindsay Segal, a graduate student in the physician assistant program at Samuel Merritt College. Complex carbs are the body’s main source of fuel, so they should make up about two-thirds of the average pre-gym meal. They keep blood sugar steady and provide protection from a pre-stretch energy crash.

What to fill the rest of the meal with? “Definitely stay away from any simple sugars, like a candy bar or soda, the hour before you hit the gym,” Segal says. (I’m thinking this could be the culprit of my workout-killing spike and crash.) Instead, mix in some protein. Fatty foods, on the other hand—especially processed, saturated fat laden ones—take longer to digest and suck up more of your body’s energy doing so.

Timing: Size Matters
Now that we’ve got the general food type established, what about the timing—when do we eat all the complex carbs and protein? It depends on the meal size and the types of food in it. Different factors affect how quickly the meal will break down, like whether it’s liquid or solid (liquid digests faster), or if it has some healthy fats (fat needs more time to break down). Any protein also needs time to digest, so when muscles contract, the protein’s amino acids are in our blood, ready to get to work. A more snacky meal, like a banana and peanut butter or a protein shake, usually takes one to two hours to digest, but a larger meal, something in the 500 to 600 calorie range, will need a full two to three hours. Anything longer than three to four hours and blood sugar levels will drop, meaning low energy … and low workout motivation.

So, what about our hands? Our hands are pretty amazing. Proportionately, their operation takes up the most space in our brains and they are the most sensitive parts of our bodies. The nerve group that controls the hands lies in the very center of our brains and every electrical impulse of thought flows through that nerve center. The hand is thought to be a graphic representation of the circuits in our brain.

Palm readers “read” the hand’s blueprint to evaluate one’s character and destiny. If you’re curious about what your hands reveal, but aren’t quite ready to pay a visit to a palm reader yet, this information will be a good start.

Which Hand?
The answer to this question is both; it just depends who you ask. Some schools use a man’s right hand and a woman’s left hand. Others say the dominant/active hand (the one you write with) shows the development of your personality as determined by the choices you’ve made, while the non-dominant hand sheds light on your inner nature. Some believe that the non-dominant/passive hand reveals information pertaining to your heredity, past lives, karma, and potential and that the active hand shows how you use these inherited traits and inner knowledge to shape your destiny.

The Shape of the Hand
There are four shapes used to classify hands and they’re related to the four elements—earth, air, water, and fire.

Earth

• broad, square palms with square, short fingers
• thick/coarse skin, ruddy color
• deep, clear, and straight lines

Earth hands belong to practical and stubborn who have a strong vitality and a close connection to the outdoors and nature. Many work with their hands and find comfort in tangible things. They are dependable, straightforward, and responsible.

Air

• square or rectangular palms with long fingers
• low-set thumbs and dry skin
• thin, clear lines

Those with air hands are social, talkative, and intellectual types who seek change and mental stimulation. They can be restless and tend to do things in innovative ways.

Water

• long, sometimes oval-shaped palms with long fingers
• soft, damp skin
• lots of fine lines, often unclear

Water hands belong to emotional, creative, and introverted types who are sensitive and perceptive. They can be vulnerable and a bit naïve. They tend to be quiet and make decisions based on gut feelings.

Fire

• square or rectangular palms with short fingers
• warm, flushed, pinkish skin
• lots of prominent lines

Those with fire hands are spontaneous, bold, and action-oriented types who take risks. They are extroverts who are very optimistic and enthusiastic. They are somewhat impulsive and very confident.

The Major Lines

Life Line
The life line starts between the thumb and the index finger. It then curves down widely around the thumb until it touches the wrist. This line represents your health, vitality, and quality of life. It can also show major events in your life and how others affect you. Its length has nothing to do with how long you will live. If you have an extra life line, you have extra protection against ill health.

• Curvy – lots of energy
• Short or shallow – easily manipulated
• Break in line – sudden change in life
• Close to the thumb – not generous with time or love
• Circle interrupts line – injury or hospitalization

Heart Line
The top, horizontal line on your palm is the heart line; it starts from the edge of the hand where your pinky finger is and travels across the top of the palm. Many palm readers use this line to determine our romantic relationships. It can also indicate our actual cardiac health, emotional stability, and tendencies toward depression. Breaks in the love line can represent heartbreaks and breakups.

• Ends between fore and middle finger – falls in love easily
• Straight across the palm – even, controlled emotions
• Wavy – lots of lovers, but no serious relationships
• Straight and short – more about sex than romantic love
• Touches life line – frequently heartbroken

Head Line
The head line is the horizontal line right below the heart line. It represents what kind of intelligence you possess and the way you communicate. A curved head line indicates a creative, spontaneous type while a straight line indicates a more practical and ordered approach to life. A clear line indicates focus; the longer the line, the more potential you have.

• Wavy – short attention span, little focus
• Straight – realistic
• Circle or cross in line – crisis
• Close to heart line – fearful, cautious nature, close-minded
• Far from heart line – confident, a risk taker, open-minded

Fate Line
This line begins at the bottom of the palm and travels upward toward the middle finger. It is also called the line of destiny. Often broken and overlapping other lines, it shows how much (or little) our lives are affected by external circumstances, like society, our friends and families, and world events.

• Strong and deep – very controlled by fate
• Breaks/changes in direction – prone to changes from outside forces
• Lines that cross fate line – others will affect your destiny
• Starts joined to life line – self-made individual
• Joins with life line – personal interests will be surrendered to those of others
• Starts at base of thumb and crosses life line – support from family and friends

This is just a small introduction to palmistry. To get the whole picture, factor in things like where you wear your rings, special characteristics of your thumbs, nails, and fingerprints, how flexible or rigid your hands are, and countless other nuances. Amazingly, the lines on our hands can change over time, so don’t get too pessimistic if your love life looks doomed—or overly optimistic if you read fame and fortune in your future. Nothing is set in stone and our choices matter as much as our lines.

If I never read another article on how to pass for a twenty-year-old for the rest of my life, I’ll still have read too many. It seems like most articles about aging are written with a pretty anti-aging bias. Yeah, I want to look good, but I also want to—gasp—age in a way that embraces the experiences I’ve had post-twenty instead of pretending they never happened.

That said, taking care of myself and ensuring that I have decades ahead of me full of aging and life experiences is a priority. And if taking care of myself makes me look good at the same time, I certainly won’t spend any time complaining. Figuring that everyone has a different take on how to age the right way, I consulted a variety of sources in a range of fields and had each of them give advice on healthful aging.

1. Calm your breathing and stretch.
“Practicing yoga or Pilates regularly will increase your mobility and bone density, plus decrease stiffness, joint inflammation, and stress,” says Alexandra Kushel, a yoga instructor in West Hollywood. “The breathing techniques also have calming, distressing affects.” Kushel says one day a week can make a difference, and that it doesn’t necessarily have to be in an expensive class. “There are plenty of workout DVDs that explain the techniques thoroughly—if you find one you like, stick with that.”

2. Practice positivity.
I always roll my eyes at inspirational posters and self-help books, but it looks like science is actually on their side. Well, some of them at least. A Trinity College study showed a direct link between how we think about our activities and jobs, and how successful and satisfied we are in our lives. Another study showed that people categorized as highly pessimistic were also at a higher risk for premature death. This means thinking positively about our goals and daily activities really can have tangible effects. I’ve started saying five things I’m thankful for each morning. It sounds lame, but starting off on a positive note is an easy way for me—a proud pessimist—to get on the right track early. A positive attitude, meaningful relationships, and religious and cultural involvement have all been found to contribute to happiness.

I have a rare blood type—AB+, which only 4 percent of the U.S. has—and secretly, I always thought it made me kind of special, even though I had no basis for that belief. But in Japan, blood type is used to determine one’s personality and temperament. Like astrology, the scientific community often dismisses blood type as an indicator of personality, but that doesn’t stop its popularity in Japanese women’s magazines, where blood type horoscopes are published. In Japanese video games, blood type is commonly a dimension in character creation. In fact, some Japanese might even be shocked if a foreigner didn’t know her blood type.

The history of the theory that blood type determines personality is actually a dark one. In 1900, Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner discovered the four blood types. Like 19th-century scientists who used brain size (the larger the brain, the more advanced) to propagate theories of racial and gender superiority, many (white) scientists used the blood type theory as a way to push forward their own ideas of racial supremacy. Scientists from the west suggested (falsely, obviously) that Asians were inferior and sub-human since the vast majority of them—like animals—had type B blood. In 1927, Takeji Furukawa, a Japanese professor, introduced the theory to the Japanese public in a paper entitled, “The Study of Temperament Through Blood Type.” Even though he lacked the proper credentials and backed up nothing scientifically, the public embraced the idea of blood type as a determination of personality. The Japanese government even commissioned a study to determine if they could breed better soldiers. In the 1970s, a book by Masahiko Nomi revived the idea, which is still popular with the general Japanese public. In 2008, four books on the topic have hit Japan’s top ten bestseller lists.

Find Out Your Blood Type
One of the easiest ways to find out your blood type is to give blood. Since it has to be matched for donation, they type it anyway, so you can always ask. If you’re pregnant, doctors administer certain blood tests to assess potential genetic problems, so determining the mother’s blood type is standard. You can ask your doctor to perform a test when you get blood drawn, but since it isn’t usually medically relevant, you may have to pay for the test. The easiest way? Ask your parents; they probably know.

My not-so-scientific survey of friends and family, online acquaintances, and a few experts gave me some insight concerning how I compare when it comes to these daily (or not-quite-daily) activities. On one hand, I don’t feel so bad for the occasional Facebook stalking session. On the other, no way am I admitting how often my jeans are washed.

Our Tech Addiction
I wake up in the morning and turn on the news. Admittedly, the Today Show doesn’t exactly constitute hard news, but between that and my Yahoo homepage, I consider myself pretty informed. And I seem to be in the majority here—just about everyone reported checking out an internet news site at least once each day. Since Yahoo is the second most visited site on the web according to alexa.com. (a web traffic company), this isn’t surprising.

Speaking of popular sites, how about that Facebook? Nearly everyone I talked to under the age of fifty reported multiple daily visits. What are we all doing there? Stalking people that have absolutely no idea we’re sifting through their photos, checking out their friends, and seeing who looks better since that last sorority formal, of course. “I had to have my husband change my password so I couldn’t check it anymore,” admits Kelly Holland, a researcher for a public relations firm. “It used to be multiple times a day, but now it’s only once every few weeks.” And email? Blame the Blackberry—just about everyone is constantly checking. The days when “I haven’t checked my email” worked as an excuse have been officially left behind.

Our Pearly Whites
When it comes to brushing, most people tend to their teeth in the morning and night. And this is just right. “Overbrushing can wear down your teeth and cause sensitivity,” says Sue Gwerder, a dental hygienist. Too much brushing can create worn down, painful teeth—and then you might as well have not brushed at all. Despite this, a few of us just can’t leave it at two. “I hate having leftover food bits and tastes in my mouth,” says Karen Hastey, an elementary school teacher. “I brush four times a day—twice in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once at night. It used to be more.”

Sugar-free mints or gum can help with this, but it’s a habit that can get out of hand, too. “I usually go through a pack a day,” says graduate student Dayna Davis. “Sometimes my jaw even hurts from chewing so much, but it tastes good and makes the time pass when I’m stuck in class. It’s better than cigarettes or chocolate donuts, right?”

Our Sheets
My mother changes the sheets once a week, without fail. Turns out that this should, in fact, be the norm. And it often is. (Not so easy if you don’t own a washer and dryer, though.) We shed skin cells constantly, and this means for about six to eight hours a day, we’re shedding in bed.

This is discomforting, but it gets worse. Dust mites feed on these dead skin cells, meaning the longer you go without washing, the more of those little mites you get. Anyone with dust allergies needs to be especially careful, because lapses between laundry loads can worsen your allergies. Alexandra James, a development executive at a production company, washes hers weekly for this reason. “I get terrible allergies, but as long as I stick to once a week, I keep them under control.” Seem like too much to handle? Grab a few extra sets of sheets so you can put fresh ones on without having to head to the washer.

Our Clothes
Speaking of doing the wash, how often do most do it? Leslie Barrie, a graduate student, says she tries to do laundry every two weeks. “But sometimes, if I’m lazy, it turns to three.” And does everything get washed after one wear? If I drop $200 on a pair of jeans, I keep those babies as far from the dryer as I can and try not to wash them unless they’re seriously dirty or smelly (don’t judge me). Most people reported being a bit more regular. “I wash them probably every three times I wear them,” says Amber Rose, an event planner.

Spending Habits
Money is all anyone’s talking about right now, so I was curious as to how my spending habits compared. My findings—I shop too much, but so do many people, who admitted to buying something new and unnecessary anywhere from once a week to once a day. Only a few reported having the willpower to keep it to a few per month. Also, I’m not big on comparison shopping. (As the saying goes, time is money, so I figure the extra time I spend comparing usually costs more anyway.) But, turns out, a lot of my friends are much more dedicated to getting a deal (hence my New Year’s resolution to be more money savvy). Barrie, a former fashion editor, consistently sticks to the marked down items. “I go to the sale rack a lot or—even better—shop at places like Nordstrom Rack and then go to the sale rack there.” If a fashion editor can do it, I suppose I have no excuse.

Our Health
I’m a runner, so one workout-related question I’ve always had is about shoes. Experts recommend purchasing new ones every six months, which I do. But does everyone? Among runners, that answer was yes. Lindsay Segal, a grad student that runs five to six times a week, says she sometimes buys new ones as often as three months. And what about workout frequency? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stipulates that adults need at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity (like power walking), or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (like running), plus at least two sessions of muscle strengthening each week. Um, does anyone hit that? Not many that I spoke with, though the younger people were definitely closer than their older counterparts.

Those who are regular exercisers say it’s just about making it a priority. “I literally schedule exercise on my daily calendar,” says Rose. “That way I never get to the end of the week and think, ‘Wow, I haven’t done anything physical.’”

Nutrition goes hand-in-hand with exercise. After reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I made a full commitment to buy local and organic food, even if it is a few bucks more. Do other people spend the same amount of time I do comparing egg cartons (are they really cage-free? What about pesticides? All vegan feed?). Perhaps not surprisingly, most people feel that they have better things to do, and that saving money is crucial. “I know organic is better, and I know it tastes better, but I eat a lot,” says Bryan Silverman, a personal trainer. “So I can’t afford to shell out that much for everything I buy. I have to pick and choose.”

It’s always interesting to get a peek into the quirks of others, even if it’s just to make us feel a little better about our own oddities. Whether we find ourselves a part of the pack, or one of the outliers, learning how other people do things sparks self-reflection. It’s definitely encouraged me to question my habits and, at the very least, think twice before letting those dirty sheets go another week.

We all want to be loved. If the truth be told, we long for love and will go to great lengths to have it in our lives. We also hold some pretty grandiose ideas of how it should show up and what it should feel like. Notice the word “should” here. It tells us a great deal about how we really feel about love.

Case in point. Just last week while sitting in a local coffee shop, I overheard a thirty-something woman reveal to her friend that she was finally ready for love. “I know exactly what I want now,” she said. “I know the kind of person I want to be in relationship with and what qualities he should have. I just need to know how to find him!”

It seems this eager-for-love woman had her partner “wish list” all ready to be checked off. She had created pictures in her mind of what he would look like, be interested in, even possible occupations. I bet she even had another sub-list of how he would demonstrate his love for her. Good luck, I wished her silently, knowing that as far as pictures of love are concerned, it does no good to harbor them. In fact, they ultimately prevent us from experiencing the unconditional love we seek.

Unconditional love, the glorious, forever after kind of love of dreams and fairy tales, can only become real when we set it free from expectations, from all those limiting “shoulds.” Unconditional love is love without conditions—love without rules and lists, even thinly veiled hopes. Simply put, if love is tied to any of these, it will surely disappoint. Our expectations of love limit it. The conditions we place upon it stop its flow.

Pitch the List
If you really want to experience great love, “Big Love,” as some like to call it, get rid of any notions you might hold about how love should be. Allow love to show up on its own terms, in its own way. Remain open and flexible. Holding someone to a roster of expectations will dampen their ardor faster than a bucket of cold water.