Being Fit Can Improve Your Orgasms? -- Yes, Yes, Yes!

In the grand pursuit of optimal health and fitness, there is one quality, one secret element, which can fuel your journey to success -- and that is pure PASSION! Every Monday, That's Fit's very own "charged up" wellness guru Laura Lewis presents The Passion Principle, a weekly guide that will help you achieve your greatest potential through words of inspiration, cutting edge ideas and action tips you can use in your everyday life.

Does being fit mean you'll have a better sex life? Some think so. Hey listen, my ultimate goal is to motivate you to become healthier, happier and more physically fit. So think about this: If you knew your sex life would be much improved, would you be more inclined to get your "fluffy" self to the gym? Or to eat a healthier diet? Maybe even take a few "good for your sex life" supplements? Your answer should be yes, yes ... yes!

Here are six "Better Sex Tips" that might improve the big "O" and more:

• Eat a Mediterranean diet for better sex. Eating a diet rich in veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts (walnuts are best) and olive oil is conducive to improving sexual function, including orgasms in both men and women. In dual two-year studies, men and women who reportedly had some sort of sexual dysfunction experienced great improvement in the sexual arena while eating Mediterranean style diets on a regular basis. Women especially reported improved lubrication, satisfaction, arousal, desire and less pain. Walnuts are now on my shopping list!
• Work out for more erections. Physically active men under the age of 50 have a 30 percent lower risk of impotence than men who are sedentary. Keeping the "machinery" in working order is one very fab reason for men to exercise. Think of all of the very happy women depicted in the "Smiling Bob" commercials for a male enhancement product. It seems exercise will do the same thing!
• Lift weights to elevate sex drive. Raising testosterone levels with weightlifting can increase sex drive in both men and women. Specifically, men who engage in multi-joint exercises, such as squats and bench presses, and do so for up to 45 to 60 minutes at a time, can increase their testosterone levels by up to 40 percent in one session. Women need to train harder and longer to get the equivalent results but the bottom line is this: If you lift, your testosterone will go up. Higher levels of testosterone will result in frequent erections, sexual urges and increased sexual fitness for men and heightened sex drive, mood and muscle and bone density for women.
• Be fit and improve your sex life. There is a relationship between feeling good about yourself and having better sex. This tidbit was discovered by Michael Young, professor of health science at the University of Arkansas, and one of his doctoral students, Tina Penhollow. They facilitated a study of more than 400 students and concluded that the more physically fit you are, the better you feel your sex life is. Young and Penhollow also found that guys who worked out the most frequently deemed themselves as "sex gods" while women who worked out almost every day ranked themselves lower in the sexual performance arena. They speculate this may be due to lower self-esteem in those women who work out obsessively.
• Drink pomegranate juice and boost erections. Men with erectile dysfunction who drank pomegranate juice experienced significant improvement. Researchers believe it is due to the high antioxidant qualities of this ancient "love" fruit, helping to decrease arterial placque which in turn may improve circulation and blood flow to the penis.
• Supplement for sexual benefits. Dr. Steven Lamm, author of the book The Hardness Factor, believes Omega 3s, in conjunction with Ester-C and 1,000 units of Vitamin D, can improve circulation and overall wellness. But check with your Doc before giving these a try.
  

Unfortunately, less research has been conducted on women than on men, which means our male counterparts have an easier way to measure success than we women do. *wink*wink* -- we're just a bit more complicated. However, it looks like you can improve the quality of your sex life be eating better and being more active while following these basic rules: Don't smoke, drink alcohol only in moderation and keep your stress under control.

Now, it's time to cast your vote.