It's a well-known fact that older women need calcium and vitamin D to fight bone loss. But it's also important that younger, active women get calcium and vitamin D to prevent stress fractures.

A recent study looked at more than 5,000 female U.S. Navy recruits and found that those who didn't take additional calcium and vitamin D were 25% more likely to suffer a stress fracture.

The authors of the study recommend that women take calcium and vitamin D supplements before starting any new exercise regime. But you can also opt to get your calcium and vitamin D naturally. Dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of calcium, but there are other nutrition sources as well. Your best source of vitamin D is the sun; fish and vitamin D fortified foods (milk, orange juice, and cereals are often fortified with vitamin D) are also sources.

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Not too long ago, I wrote about a workout More Magazine had specifically for women over 40. Now, some More Magazine readers have stepped forward to show that they're over 40 and fitter than they were in their 20's.

Some of their tips:

• Manage stress eating by making healthier, conscious choices.
• See a trainer to develop a strength training routine.
  
• Limit red meat and eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise daily.
• Shove self-doubt to the side and don't shy away from a challenge.
• Try a new activity.
• Even if you have a hectic schedule, be sure to take time to focus on yourself. Treat your health like the priority it is.
• Practice weight-bearing exercises to maintain healthy bone density.

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If you're heading out to dinner with friends, stopping at a bar, or even just sitting on your own patio on a hot summer night, a cold beer just hits the spot. It's important not to overindulge, of course. After all, that golden glass can come with a lot a calories. But, if you enjoy a cold one now and then, there's no need to abstain entirely. In fact, beer offers some health benefits, such as protecting bone density.

To keep the calories down, you might opt for a light beer. But if you're going to indulge in a beer, you might as well make sure it tastes great, right? Women's Health counts down the best choices for light beer.

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