When you work out with weights, you naturally elevate your testosterone levels (check out this recent post about boosting testosterone). Naturally, raising testosterone levels via weight resistance training can be a very good thing for both men and women unless it causes you to be less attracted to your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend!

A recent journal publication reveals that women who have higher testosterone levels are attracted to men who have more masculine, "manly," high testosterone-like features -- such as the physical facial qualities that Russel Crowe or Dwayne"The Rock" Johnson possess. Men with elevated levels of the same hormone are more likely to be attracted to more feminine faces like Natalie Portman or Jessica Biel.

This fascinating study was conducted at the University of Aberdeen's Face Research Laboratory. Researchers had male and female volunteers view pairs of photographs of the opposite sex and asked them to choose who they found the most attractive. Each volunteer gave saliva samples to measure testosterone levels during their photo viewing sessions. This process was conducted four times in four weeks with each session one week apart. Face preferences changed as testosterone levels changed. For women, if testosterone was found to be lower, they would choose a less masculine face and conversely, if the hormone was higher, they selected the image of one who had more chiseled, macho features! Men selected more feminine faces when their testosterone was higher. What does all this mean?

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Life Fitness is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Need motivation and guidance to facilitate positive changes in your life? Ask Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis!

Dear Laura:

My husband and I work full-time. By the time we get home and eat dinner, we really aren't interested in having sex. I know all I want to do is get ready for bed to sleep! My husband is usually asleep by the time I get into bed. I read somewhere that exercising might help by putting us "in the mood." Would joining a gym help us out in the love department?

Thanks a bunch!

"Feeling like a slug" in Chicago

So many people are low energy, depressed, stressed and just plain unhappy. Like you, there is not a lot of activity happening in the bedroom. Many are sedentary. Yet, did you know that simply exercising, specifically doing weight resistance exercise at least three times per week can naturally elevate your testosterone or "T" levels? And the higher your testosterone levels are the more you will be in the mood to hop in the sack with your honey. If you are interested in having some smoking hot activity in the boudoir with your sweetie pie, listen up! Check out these 5 "T" boosting tips on how to turn up the heat!

1. Join a gym. If you have never had a private session with a trainer, then book one. An experienced personal trainer can give you a thorough orientation on how to properly use all of the exercise equipment a gym has to offer. Most gyms will provide a free session upon request to help you get started.Then once you get going, really focus upon the goal of doing three high intensity sets on each piece of equipment with resting periods in between sets, of 30 seconds to three minutes. Workout hard and push yourself to go beyond your comfort zone. Higher intensity workouts result in higher elevation of testosterone. Also, the harder you workout, the longer you can rest before you move on to the next set!

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Aside from the fact that an imbalanced physique is at greater risk of injury, focusing only on these smaller muscle groups deprives your body of its full release of testosterone. Because such a large percentage (60 percent) of your overall muscle can be found in your legs and back, working these areas will actually benefit your whole body. And, when you tax these larger muscle groups, your body releases greater amounts of natural growth hormone, causing you to grow all over.

So, the next time you're at the gym, rather than hammering out your umpteenth set of dumbbell curls, try performing some sets of deadlifts and squats. Your body -- even your vanity muscles -- will thank you with the muscle growth you've been hoping for.

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Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.

Speaking stereotypically, women tend to be more in tune with their bodies than men. Women also have a tendency to go to the doctor when they notice something amiss with their health while men tend to ignore the problem. Here are five health issues men should never ignore.

1. Chest Pain. Okay, I can hear you already ... DUH! ... but according to CNN Health Expert Dr. Joseph Scherger, a clinical professor of family medicine at the University of California, San Diego, men do have a tendency to ignore this alarming heart attack symptom. Chest pain is the number one symptom of heart attack. Learn more on this video.
2. Big Belly. The worst place for a man to carry additional fat is around the belly. According to Dr. Harry Fisch, a professor of clinical urology at Columbia, "A big belly is a sign a man has low testosterone levels. And the lower the testosterone, the greater the risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease."
3. Impotence. Impotence is one health issue mean really do not like to talk about with anyone ... not even their doctors. Dr. Harry Fisch states, "The penis is the dipstick of the body's health." Impotence may be caused by psychological reasons, but it could also be a symptom of several life-threatening conditions. It stands to reason that if the arteries that move blood to the penis are not properly supplying enough blood for it "to do its job," then the arteries that supply blood to the heart and brain might not be working so well either. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol may all be linked to erectile dysfunction.
4. Frequent Urination. Urinating more frequently than normal without a significant increase in fluids can be a sign of prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate gland. If a man is getting up two or three times a night to relieve himself, he should go to the doctor for a prostate exam.
   
5. Popping Prescribed Pills. Dr. Joel Heidelbaugh, a family medicine specialist at the University of Michigan Medical School, warns, "Men sometimes don't realize they're addicted to prescription drugs." As a matter of fact, many times their spouses, colleagues and friends don't even notice. Vicodin and Oxycontin are two of the more common, and highly addictive, painkillers. Sadly, I have an ex-boyfriend who was wonderful except for the fact he was addicted to pain killers, taking handfuls per day and I never saw him take one! Nicest guy. He ended up going into rehab and to this day fights the daily battle of avoiding the temptation. Now he has a girlfriend with "great addiction radar"! My current guy pops supplements and that's it!
   

Guys ... pay attention. If you recognize any of these four symptoms, pick up the phone and call the doctor. Women, if the man in your life is living in denial ... love him enough to intervene!

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The Candy Man may mix things with love, but he may be doing more harm than good in that department. Consider a recent study from the University of British Columbia, which found that a diet high in sugar can lower testosterone levels, not only making it harder for men to get and maintain erections, but also zapping their sex drive. All those sweets drive triglycerides up, cause sex hormone-binding globulin to plummet and testosterone to go MIA.

The journal Urology Times published the results of a separate study on the effects of high blood sugar on sperm, revealing that sugar-rich diets contributed to 20 percent more cases of mutation than what was found in men who followed a healthier diet.

So much for chocolate being an aphrodisiac. And for The Candy Man having an active sex life. And for me coming up with a clever way to end this post.

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There's a lot of talk these days about soy. Some people tout it as a great source of protein and other nutrients, while others fear that it may do more harm than good. So what's the verdict on this green bean: is it good or bad for you?

Very good, says an article in the recent issue of Muscle & Body magazine. First, the article dispels the following myths about soy protein:

• Soy protein is only for women
• It will lower testosterone levels
• It is a lesser-quality protein than whey and casein
  

Then, the benefits of soy are highlighted:

• Soy enhances muscle recovery and growth
• It increase nitric oxide (NO) production
• It enhances fat loss
• It improves heart health and protects against certain types of cancers

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More often than not, lifters and fitness pundits alike suggest a 2-1-1 approach when it comes to weightlifting tempo; that is, take two seconds to lower the weight, hold it steady for one second, and then take one second to raise the weight. However, a new study, published in the Journal of Physiological Sciences, revealed that a 3-1-3 tempo might work best.

According to researchers, taking three seconds to lower weight, holding it for a second, and then taking three seconds to lift it, while using lighter weight, increases natural growth hormone (GH) and causes greater free testosterone response than moving faster with heavier weight.

One thing to keep in mind, though -- this is not Super-Slow Training (SST), which typically involves using a 4-1-10 tempo. The SST method is a good technique to employ once and a while to mix things up in your workout, but using it during every workout may lead to over-training. Instead, stick to to the 3-1-3 for maximum gains.

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For the guys out there who are looking to get more buff, resist the urge to only focus on your "T-shirt muscles." I know it's probably tempting to hit the gym every night and only perform a bunch of curls and military presses, but you're actually doing yourself a disservice.

Aside from the fact that an imbalanced physique is at greater risk of injury, focusing only on these smaller muscle groups deprives your body of its full release of testosterone. Because such a large percentage (60 percent) of your overall muscle can be found in your legs and back, working these areas will actually benefit your whole body.

So, the next time you're at the gym, rather than hammering out your umpteenth set of dumbbell curls, try performing some sets of deadlifts and squats. Your body -- even your T-shirt muscles -- will thank you with the muscle growth you've been hoping for.

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Generally speaking, testosterone levels in men begin to decline by about 2-3 percent per year starting around the age of thirty. Those numbers are not written in stone, but they are fairly accurate in most cases. As a result, body fat increases, muscle mass decreases, and even libido can be affected over time. It's a naturally occurring process, possibly as a protective measure against the increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Be that as it may, most men still aren't all that thrilled at the idea of gaining weight, losing muscle, and experiencing a diminished sex drive. Making matters worse, the first two of the three negative effects I just mentioned can also have a separate and equally as damaging effect on your cardiac health.

Are there ways to increase your testosterone levels? Yes, there are. Are they safe? Some yes and some are probably not safe at all. In fact, we'll start with those. Despite the fact that there are several "anti-aging" centers springing up around the country, claiming that their use of controlled HGH (human growth hormone) injections can almost reverse the aging process, they are unregulated and the safety of their methods remain highly debated. My two cents? Err waaaaaay on the side of caution on this one -- stay away from HGH injections or supplements. Until more studies are conducted, and until more R & D is done on the synthetic HGH products some of these "anti-aging" clinic doctors are pushing, I suggest that you avoid it like the plague.

Moving right along ...

Men have the corner on the sex drug market. But women are consumers, too. U.S. docs report most of their female patients use lower doses of testosterone products ... approved for men. Many studies have linked testosterone with sex drive, and women do lose testosterone after menopause and even more after surgical removal of the ovaries. Sucks to get old.

However there is a rising surge in pharmaceuticals to boost women's libido. Here are three products that have knocked or will be knocking on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) door:

• LibiGel: a testosterone gel by BioSante Pharmaceuticals forecasted at least two years away. Alongside traditional efficacy research, they are currently launching a safety study in women over 50 with risk factors for heart disease to examine if the gel causes heart problems.
• Flibanserin: a pill acting on serotonin receptors in the brain developed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. This agent does not alleviate depression like other serotonin drugs, but it was much better than a sugar pill at improving libido of women concerned over loss of sex drive. This drug may beat LibiGel to the shelves.
• Intrinsa: a testosterone patch by Procter & Gamble. FDA-rejected in 2004 over long-term safety concerns, it is approved in Europe and you can purchase via on-line pharmacies.

While taking a pill, gel or patch may definitely enhance some women's sex drives, I'm not alone in saying the magic bullet is probably in the shape of reduced stress and a loving, understanding partner. These days women put the 1950s stay-at-home mom to shame. Balancing motherhood, a full or part-time job, ramped up financial pressures and cultural expectations to look like a super model place a deep toll on a woman's energy and emotional availability for sex. If you put an exhausted woman on a beach in Jamaica with her loving partner, let her sleep in a few days, workout a bit, decompress from a nightmare boss, whining kids and five loads of laundry, you'll likely see a woman primed for love.

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Regular exercise is one of the best ways to help ensure a healthy lifestyle. Coupled with proper diet and at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and your odds of early 'life retirement' become very slim. Exercise is also a great way to help reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of depression, making it an emotional and mental health healer, as well. However, as good for you as exercising undoubtedly is, there are some training mistakes that can quickly sabotage your training.

Here are 5 pitfalls you should try to avoid with your workout program, helping you to make the most out of your effort:

Stale Routines. Your body will adapt to a workout after about 4 to 6 weeks, at which time it will stop producing new results. Even small changes to your workout (i.e. rep count, time taken between breaks, etc.) can oftentimes be enough to stimulate your muscles again.

Over-training. Exercise is very taxing on your body, which is why you need adequate rest in between workouts. Not allowing yourself this reprieve can weaken your immune system and even lead to muscular atrophy.

Lack of Balance. Just because you can't see your back muscles very easily doesn't mean that you shouldn't train them as hard as those muscles you check out in the mirror. A lack of muscle balance will hinder your overall progress.

Training for Too Long. Generally speaking, an hour is long enough to spend in the gym. After that amount of time, your body begins producing more cortisol than testosterone, meaning your training is now doing more harm than good.

Not Eating After a Resistance Workout. There's a 30-45 minute window that remains open right after your workout. During this time, be sure to eat a meal rich in protein and fast-digesting carbohydrates. Missing this window precludes you from the chance to begin the rebuilding process and, in worst cases, can cause your body to look to your stored muscle for replenishment.