Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

Exercise has lots of benefits; it helps you maintain a healthy weight, aids in weight loss, generates/sustains energy and reduces your risk of many chronic conditions/diseases. Recently, for example, a study revealed active people are 24 percent less likely to develop colon cancer.

But when it comes down to it -- what really makes you lace up your shoes and get out there? Do the random news pieces about this reduced risk or that reduced risk inspire you? Or is it a more internal reward that you're seeking?

I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday the other day, and she changed the subject as quickly as possible. She was born near the end of the baby boomer generation and, I guess, she's reached a point where she'd like to deny that she even has birthdays.

If, like my sister, you'd like to reverse the effects of aging, just step on board with a healthy lifestyle. Positive changes like quitting smoking, eating healthfully, and exercising regularly can have a big impact on health ... they can even help reduce your risk of conditions associated with aging.

Even if you haven't been leading a healthy lifestyle, it's never too late to start. U.S. News and World Report has an article detailing how healthy habits can lower your risk of conditions including Peripheral Artery Disease, Osteoporosis, and varicose veins.

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Food, all by itself, may not directly cause diabetes, but what you eat can up your risk of developing the disease.

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Women who are overweight face many health risks, such as heart disease and type II diabetes. And Martha recently told us how overweight women tend to be more impulsive. But overweight women face some risks you might not expect:

• Being fired. Could it be because people who are overweight have a higher rate of absenteeism? Or is it because of a prejudice? It's hard to pinpoint the reasons why, but medical research shows that overweight women run a higher risk of losing their jobs.
• Being the victim of a crime. Overweight women run a greater risk of being victims of crimes. They're also more likely to become criminals.
• Financial woes. Overweight women are more likely to find themselves broke.

It's a chicken and the egg situation, really. Is a woman's weight causing these negative life events or are the negative events causing stress that leads to overeating and obesity?

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Because of possible food allergies, it's usually recommended to not feed babies common food allergens such as peanuts, eggs, wheat, dairy, and seafood until they're at least one. Waiting until they're three is even better. What's more, certain varieties of fish have high levels of mercury which children shouldn't be exposed to.

New research is challenging those old beliefs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently revised their recommendations and now states that children as young as 4-6 months could have certain foods including fish. Further research shows that babies who eat fish before reaching 9 months have a reduced risk of eczema.

So what are new parents to do? As always, it's important to introduce new foods slowly. And speak to your child's doctor before introducing any of the foods that were previously off-limits for babies. When it comes to your child's health, it's better to be cautious.

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I'm not a big believer in the whole superfood concept. I think any diet that's filled with a variety of healthful, nutritious foods is going to be beneficial.

The other day, however, I got into a discussion with the mother of one of my son's teammates. She's reading Anticancer: A New Way of Life and is really learning a lot. Reviews of this book state that, while many of the recommendations are grounded in science, some are a little fuzzy around the edges. But, in my humble opinion, if a food is tasty, good for you in other ways, nutritionally sound, and may potentially ward off cancer or other diseases, then by all means ... go for it.

The book's author believes that 85% of cancer causes are environmental. The foods we eat are one of the most easily controlled factors. Three of the foods he recommends in moderation are garlic oil, red wine, and dark chocolate. Check out the gallery for more cancer-fighting foods.

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Think you can't prevent cancer with the foods you eat? Think again. You can slash your risk of developing breast cancer just by consuming choline-rich foods. Choline what, you might be thinking. And to that I say: Choline is an organic compound classified as a water-soluble essential nutrient, usually grouped within the vitamin B complex. Mumbo jumbo, huh?

Here's all you really need to know: Good sources of choline are eggs, fish, lean meat, collard greens, and beans. Women need 425 mg per day, yet 90% of Americans don't get enough. Get the right amount and you'll decrease your risk of breast cancer by 24%. You'll also cut your heart disease risk and improve your memory.

Kick start your new choline habit today, by throwing down one large egg yolk, says Prevention magazine. It has 27% of your daily recommended amount.

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While the area I live in may have made my exposure to this fruit a little slower than it was for most people, it's still a relatively new addition to the regular fruits and veggies on grocery store shelves. In a short span of time the bizarre-looking pomegranate has moved from exotic to mainstream.

The world of nutrition has its trends just like anything else, and pomegranates certainly had their day (or couple of years) in the sun. Pomegranates have been linked to health benefits for erectile dysfunction, cancer risk reduction, lung health, and other issues. And they certainly are good for you... not to mention tasty. (Though pomegranate juice can negatively interact with certain medications (such as some blood pressure meds), so check with your doctor.)

But when a food item becomes trendy, there is a bit of a halo effect; anything that has that item listed on the package automatically seems healthier and better for you. Health by association, if you will.

While incense is often linked to meditation and tranquility, it's now being linked to something much, much different -- cancer of the upper respiratory tract.

To clarify, only use over long periods of time appears to increase the risk, and it does not increase the overall risk of lung cancer. A study found that "Incense burning almost doubled the risk of developing squamous cell upper respiratory tract carcinomas including nasal/sinus, tongue, mouth and laryngeal. There was an increased risk both in smokers and in nonsmokers, pointing to an independent effect of incense smoke."

As scary as this sounds, as long as you're not filling your room with incense every day, year after year, you're probably in the clear. However, it's good to be aware that burning incense or candles introduces environmental pollutants into your home, which isn't the best thing in the world for your health. If you yearn to burn, do your homework first!

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Gaining weight at any age and stage of life boosts a woman's risk of developing breast cancer after menopause, says research from the National Cancer Institute. This may come as a surprise to some who think lifestyle plays no role in the development of cancer. But as many as 20% of cancer deaths are due to being overweight or obese. Clearly, weight does matter. If you're tipping the scales in a dangerous direction, then, you'd be wise to drop a few pounds in the name of cancer prevention.

Other lifestyle factors that deserve your attention are as follows.

Hormone Replacement Therapy. It slightly increases a woman's breast cancer risk, according to the large Women's Health Initiative. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the smallest effective HRT dose for the shortest period of time.

Exercise. Women who exercise more than six hours a week cut their risk of invasive breast cancer by 23 percent. It's never to late to start. So lace up your athletic shoes today.

Alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol spike breast cancer risk. Taking folic acid in addition to consuming alcohol helps, but cutting down on drinking is your best bet. An equivalent of one glass of wine per day is all you should drink. Less is better, if you can manage it.

Vitamin D. A supplement with at least 1,000 IU of the vitamin is recommended.

Five easy steps -- lose weight (OK, maybe this one's not so easy), limit HRT, exercise, cut down on drinking, and supplement with vitamin D -- and you'll be on your way to good breast health.

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It's summertime. We all want to be outside as much as we can, because before you know it, the days will be short and the ground will be covered with snow.

While getting about 20 minutes of sun each day is important for our vitamin D levels, too much sun can lead to painful burns and risks of skin cancer. One simple -- and fashionable -- way to protect yourself is by wearing a hat.

Healthy Hats is a great place to start shopping for the perfect sun protection. Besides offering lifeguard hats and adventurer hats (think safari), they've got sun smart tips to help you enjoy the sun safely.

Research shows that women who drink even small amounts of alcohol can spike their breast cancer risk. But getting enough folic acid can help.

A long-term Nurses' Health Study shows that the proper intake of the B vitamin may reduce breast cancer risk for those who consume more than the equivalent of one glass of wine per day.

Want to get enough folic acid in your diet? Ask your doctor about a multivitamin containing the recommended amount or make a commitment to consuming lots of fortified cereals, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and juice.

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If you are a woman living in an urban area, you may have an increased chance of developing breast cancer. It seems women who live and work in large cities have more dense breast tissue than those in suburban and rural areas. Dense tissue increases risk.

This connection -- between risk and big cities -- may stem from the fact that urbanites tend to have kids later in life and are more likely to use hormone therapy. Pollution and stress may also play a role.

Regardless of the cause, researchers from the London Breast Institute say the risk is real. So if you live or work in a city, make sure you get your mammograms as recommended and if you learn that you have dense tissue, go to a facility that offers digital technology -- it can detect up to 50 percent more cancers in dense breasts. Regardless of where you live, really, you should follow these preventative strategies.

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Swimmer's ear is such a pain, literally. But it's really common, and it got me thinking about whether it's ever a serious condition, or just an annoyance.

You're more at risk to develop swimmer's ear if you have a skin condition that makes you scratch your ears, or if earwax buildup or blockage traps water in your ear. You're also more at risk if you have small ear canals that don't drain terribly well, or if you have another medical condition that impairs your immune system.

While not common, it is possible for swimmer's ear to have complications, including temporary hearing loss and more widespread infection, so it's important that you treat it right away. You can use an over-the-counter treatment, but if the problem persists (or if you have an impaired immune system), you should seek medical attention. Your doctor might clean your ears with a suction device or prescribe you a topical or oral medication.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent swimmer's ear. Check out the gallery to see a few of the suggestions the Mayo Clinic has for prevention.

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Prevention. There's nothing like it. And what great news it is that girls as young as 12 can already start protecting themselves against breast cancer.

Just like middle-aged women are encouraged to work out to lower their risk of developing this disease, new research concludes that exercise during the teen years can prevent breast cancer in later years.

So here's the scoop: Women who were physically active as teens and young adults were 23 percent less likely to develop pre-menopausal breast cancer than women who grew up sedentary. Having the biggest impact was regular exercise between the ages of 12 to 22. And the women with the lowest risk reported running or exercising vigorously three or more hours per week. Although post-menopausal breast cancer was not studied, it's likely exercise helps all the same.

Time to get your daughters off the couch!

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