Health and fitness are big topics nowadays and because they're important to us in our everyday lives, they're also important to us in our work lives -- we spend too many waking hours at work to not worry about how our jobs are impacting our healthy living goals.

But what about thinking the reverse: how is your health affecting the success and happiness of your work life? Namely, do you think your weight is affecting your career?

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Shows like Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City have given the world a new way to look at aging. Turning 40 or 50 no longer necessarily means a party with an "Over the Hill" theme -- older men and women can be just as sexy as their much-younger counterparts. And that's a good thing. Right?

Well, yes and no. It's fantastic that we are shedding our stereotypes regarding middle-age, for men as well as for women. Most men would agree that Halle Berry and Heather Locklear are just as sexy as any 20-year-old actress, and men over 40 include George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Pierce Brosnan -- 'nuf said.

However, eating disorders for adult women are on the rise. We see celebrities like Teri Hatcher, Demi Moore, and Kim Cattrall and while we know that the way they look simply isn't attainable for everyone, it doesn't mean many women don't try by resorting to anorexia or bulimia. Check out our gallery of super sexy celebrities who've celebrated 40 or more birthdays, but use these as inspiration, not for comparison. And, head over to AOL Body to see who they think is over 40 and still smokin' hot!

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Stigmas surrounding obesity plainly exist. People carrying significant weight are commonly labeled lazy, slovenly, and lacking self-discipline, so often whispered with that annoying phrase, "they just let themselves go." I've known and know plenty of overweight people whom absolutely none of those labels apply.

Unfortunately these swirling negative stereotypes can damage careers, says a new study. Researchers examined data from a pool of 25 separate studies looking at weight-based bias in the workplace. They determined bias definitely exists, with a stronger bias for sales positions than managerial ones. Stereotypes commonly slapped on obese people filter into people's judgment, discrediting an obese person's ability to perform a job. Overall, they're viewed more negatively than employees of average weight. It's only logical health risks linked to obesity play a role in a negative response, too.

The heaviest bias occurs at time of application and initial selection process. More positively, weight stereotypes became less of an influencer at performance evaluation and promotion time, and bias tended to decrease with increasing time on the job. While it's assuring to know the winds of stigmatization die down as obese people prove themselves worthy employees, what a shame they often face a stiff discriminatory headwind from the start.

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Women and working, it seems like there's no right answer to the question of what's the best strategy for a businesswoman who wants to be successful. For men it's a pretty well-established set of skills and behaviors that will get them to the top, but for women it's much fuzzier.

The nurturing instinct. Women who appear too nurturing and focus on improving relationships with their coworkers and understanding the perspectives of others are often perceived as less competent. But if they go the other way, and display traits that are considered mostly masculine like being assertive, task oriented, and ambitious, they are considered to be "too tough" and "unfeminine."

To be respected or to be liked, that is the question. It seems many women actually have to make this choice where

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