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In the past we've told you about how calorie restriction, hiking and weight lifting are good for your health and fitness. These lifestyle choices along with other healthy habits, may also be good for keeping your outward appearances -- and internal organs -- looking young. Discover 25 things -- you may already be doing -- to keep your body as youthful as can be.

Photo: Christine Gaugler/Diane Meacham

Putting a new twist on sound weight-loss advice, UK-based fashion and beauty journalist Mimi Spencer's new book, "101 Things to Do Before You Diet," introduces new ways to think about body image and achieving the look you want. Some is fashion-based wisdom, such as the "10-pounds lighter print," which Spencer says, "will carve off weight simply by tricking the eye." Some is research-based, such as the one tip she'd pick of the 101, which is to advise women who "give a great deal of thought to the number of calories in a sandwich, but have little idea about how their body demands, absorbs and utilizes those calories" to understand their hormones and learn to maximize their weight-loss potential.

That's Fit: How much of your personal experience was the inspiration for "101 Things to Do Before You Diet"?

Mimi Spencer: So much! After I had my kids, I ended up with the kind of body I didn't really love anymore -- a softer belly, heavier thighs -- and a bathroom scale that could make me weep. I tried all kinds of diet fads (I remember the maple syrup diet was big at the time, but I also tried to combine diets, drink cabbage soup, and of course, do Atkins and GI like everyone else). But not a lot changed. I was the same size and doubly unhappy.

So I started to think about all of the things that affect weight -- not just calories-in (though those are important), but also things like psychology, hormones, sleep patterns and habits. I also knew from my years in fashion journalism that there are hundreds of ways to appear slimmer, simply by knowing the tricks of how to dress thin. What it came to was a 360-degree view of a woman and her life, not just a narrow "don't eat!" message.

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From deodorant to body wash -- whether you're wearing lipstick or foundation or not -- you're exposing yourself to the nebulously-regulated world of cosmetics, according to Julie Gabriel, author of "The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup and Fragrances." In an interview with AOL Health, she talks the best ways to become ingredient savvy, deodorant types to avoid and her 10 commandments for green beauties to follow.

Are you an organic beauty -- buying and consuming organic-only beauty products and foods? Why or why not?

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Many of the foods that are good for your waist are also good for your body, looks and brain. Check out how to maximize these healthy foods from AOL Health's "Beauty Diet."

Dining out when you have diabetes doesn't have to be a disaster. Our restaurant guide will help you make smart food choices -- without sacrificing fun social eating.

Learn what moves to do -- and when to do them -- to get a better night's sleep in this photo slideshow of falling asleep tricks that actually work!

Photo: Laurel Fan/Flickr

During last week's yoga class, I took a side glance in the mirror during one downward dog. I was appalled at my reflection. Upside down, the skin on my thighs was all wrinkled! WOW, I thought. All that exercise can only go so far if my skin is sagging. As soon as class was over, I called Jae Berman, a registered dietitian at the San Francisco Bay Club, and I was so relieved when she said: "There are definitely anti-aging foods you can incorporate into an already healthy diet that can boost skin tone."

• Spinach has folate which speeds up cell renewal. Translation: It acts like an inner exfoliant. New, young cells make your skin look younger.
• Oranges, bell peppers and kiwi are loaded with Vitamin C, which boosts collagen production and smooths out wrinkles. Other vegetables and fruits include sweet potatoes, lemons and limes.
• Canned tuna's loaded with selenium, a mineral that preserves elastin, a protein that keeps skin smooth and tight. It's also an antioxidant that buffers against damaging UV rays.
• Walnuts, salmon and flax seed are brimming with omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce puffiness.

Try this: Salmon, carrot, tomato spinach stir fry. Throw all the ingredients into a wok or sauté pan with your favorite spices and a teaspoon of olive oil. For more skin-firming recipes, contact Berman at jberman@sfbayclub.com.

Want to cook up another stir fry? Try tofu, spinach and okra for a light, skin-friendly meal.

You know how every pretty face on the red carpet seems to have perfectly sculpted cheekbones, even if the face itself isn't all that thin? For some, it's genetics, but for quite a few people, it all comes down to makeup. Probably that doesn't shock you. But, what might surprise you is the fact that this is something you can do at home, on your own -- no professional makeup artist required!

Darac Beauty offers a product called Feature Focus, and it's a face definer. It's a compact with just three colors, each with a specific purpose. The shimmery beige on the left is designed to forgive imperfections like wrinkles and discoloration. The dark brown on the lower right is used to frame your face (which is where those sexy cheekbones come from). And finally, the light, creamy color on the upper right is to help you forget shadowing -- light makes your face look brighter, smoother and younger, so you want to make sure your face reflects it.


I know what you're thinking -- this sounds pretty complicated. I like playing with makeup, and the idea of using it to change the shape of my face has always intimidated me. Images of harsh streaks of dark blush in the 1980s always come to mind. But, Darac takes the mystery out of how to make it work with a handy cheat sheet.

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Money stressing you out? Relax. Exercise will make you feel better, and you don't need big bucks to get fit. Let Fitz teach you how to get a flat belly on a budget.

Omega-3s are great for your heart, but they might help you lose weight by controlling inflammation in the body. Jonny's got the scoop.

French women think they're fat, even if the rest of the world doesn't. Do you compare yourself to your peers when judging your body size?

Looking to change up your beauty routine? Instead of shopping the makeup aisle, head to the produce section for antioxidant-rich foods.

Popular cooking show "Cook Yourself Thin" is now a #1 selling book on Amazon. Home-cooked meals are usually more healthy than restaurant versions. Could this be your weight-loss solution?

Remember when you used to make Mom breakfast in bed? You can still treat her to a Mother's Day brunch. Kristen's got ideas that are tasty and nutritious, but healthy too.

Whole wheat is a great source of whole grain, but it's definitely not the only one. Bev and Maggie have tips trying out some nutritious but less well known whole grains.

Are you a sucker for a dollar menu? Then make your own value snacks at home, without all the fat, sugar and salt.

High heels might make your legs look sexier, but exercising in them? That's a new one for me! Check out the high heel workout and see if it sounds like something you'd like to try.

Tired of your current workout playlist? Check out ours! Jacki pulled together some of our favorite workout songs for a little motivation. Share your favorite with us in comments!

Time was, when you needed an instant beauty boost, you slapped on a clay mask and a few cucumber slices and hoped for the best. But times have changed, and there's an entire army of products out there that can get your skin glowing in one month, one week or even one day.

Over the last few months, I've been hearing more and more about dry shampoo. Maybe because everyone is trying to conserve water (or conserve money) by not taking so many long showers. Or maybe it's because more companies are making it easier to use, like the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray.

I had a chance to try out Oscar Blandi's new Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray, and I've got to say, this is something that every girl who gets ready in a hurry after a workout should have. Trust me -- I used it after a serious sweat session, and my hair looked great, and it only took a few minutes for me to be ready to head out the door!

This spray is super easy to use (spray it onto your roots in sections from about six inches away, let it dry, shake out excess with fingers, brush and style). It's designed to absorb oil and product (check), increase volume at roots (check) and strengthen hair and nourish the scalp (not sure yet, but I'm guessing it's doing something good). And, it has a fresh lemon verbena scent, which I really liked.

I don't know anyone who doesn't consider jeans an absolute must. For some, comfort is most important, and others are more interested in style. Still other people are concerned about the brand. And the latest Fit Beauty giveaway has you covered on all accounts.

We're giving away five pairs of Joe's Jeans, and, over at our super-stylish sister site, StyleList blog, they're doing the same. You can enter once on both sites, giving you 10 chances to win your choice of style!

There's just one catch -- you only have until 5:00 ET today to enter! If you haven't done so yet, head over to the original post to leave a comment and get yourself entered in the contest, and be sure to do the same at StyleList blog. And hurry!

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

As a three-time Sports Illustrated cover model and world famous supermodel, Cheryl Tiegs knows quite a bit about being beautiful. I suppose this makes her a perfect fit for her role as judge on ABC's new reality show True Beauty, which debuts this Monday, January 5 at 10 PM. Instead of really judging the unsuspecting contestants on their physical beauty, though, Cheryl and her cohorts will be removing folks who act really ugly. That should be fun to watch.

In the gallery below, you'll find more about the show and Cheryl's beauty tricks. You just might learn something new about Cheryl Tiegs -- for example, did you know she once gained a good deal of weight? Click below for more!

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I love bringing you tips and tricks each week for looking fabulous and hiding your flaws -- and I really love it when you guys weigh in with your favorites! With 2009 right around the corner, I took a look back through my Fit Beauty collection of posts from this past year and chose five of my faves. Check them out in the gallery, and be sure to tell me in the comments if there's something you'd like me to cover in the new year!

This time of year, I don't know of anyone who couldn't use a little pick me up. We're all a little tired, slightly stressed, and unfortunately, it shows.

I know lots of folks who take a day and head off to the spa, but that's a little pricey for my taste. Plus, when you go to the spa, you're relying on their products and their ingredients, many of which might have more artificial ingredients than you'd really like.

My suggestion? Set aside a little time this holiday break for yourself (think of it as a gift, if you must) and take advantage of one or two of the all-natural, DIY beauty tips in the gallery. You'll feel better, which will help you look better, which is definitely a bonus when everyone starts snapping pictures around the Christmas tree.

Many of you shared your biggest skincare problems with us for a chance to win an Emerita prize pack worth approximately $280, and from the sounds of it, there are a lot of fabulous over-40 ladies out there who could use some high-quality skincare products. Perhaps you should send the giveaway link on to your friends and family to show them what you really want to see under your tree this Christmas!

Unfortunately, we can only select one winner, and the lucky reader who won last week's Fit Beauty Giveaway was Kim, who said, "I would love to try this! I have hit the dreaded menopause and am fighting the battle of the dry skin on the cheeks and eyes while still oily around the nose and chin." In addition to the skincare products, Kim will receive a zebra print scarf. You know, just in case she's not feeling sexy enough already!

Kim, you'll have to let us know how the products work for you. As for the rest of you, check out Emerita's website to see which of these natural products are the best match for your skin!

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When you're healthy, it shows. However, it's not just your muscles you need to take care of -- what about your skin?

Luckily for all you fabulous 40+ ladies out there, this week's Fit Beauty giveaway is a fabulous assortment of Emerita skin care products, all formulated specifically for your skin. Because, let's face it -- wrinkles aren't the only skin issue women of a certain age face, right?

This really is a fantastic prize, valued at about $280. Even if it's not something you need for yourself, I bet you have a mom, aunt, neighbor, or someone else who would just love to find these products under her tree. Am I right? So head on over and enter -- it's super easy, and it just might be your lucky day!