Low Libido? 11 Drugs That Affect Your Sex Drive

Yes, there are some medications that can dampen your sex drive.

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25 Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

Whether you’re on the go or at home, these 25 body weight exercises are challenging and effective, and you can do them no matter where you are

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7 Foods for Better Sex

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The Fertility Diaries

I thought it was too late for me

“I am still in shock that I am 41 and almost nine months pregnant! Ive been married for 10 years but have always been very blasé about having children. My husband is six years younger than me, and we have very full lives. Im an avid traveler, teacher, freelance writer, book author and recreational archeologist, so a baby was just never a priority in my life. I went off of the pill when I was 39 in an effort to get pregnant, but when I didnt after six months, I just assumed it wasnt going to happen.

“Then, a year later, I experienced the weirdest period Id ever had: It wasnt really bleeding, just on-and-off spotting. I took a pregnancy test to be safe, and when the first came back positive I was in such disbelief that I took another one. Even now, I feel guilty that my initial reaction wasnt ecstasy but rather ‘Oh, s—t.’ At age 41, its difficult to go through such a major change, and it took a while to wrap my head around how the baby was going to fit into our lives. To be honest, those first few months, I figured—given my age—that the baby wouldnt even make it to term. But by the end of my first trimester (and after weeks of really bad morning sickness), it was clear to me that the baby was here to stay. The last few weeks have been tough, mainly because I am on my feet teaching all day, but I am now excited about my pregnancy. Its a game changer all right, but in a good way.”

—Daniella, 41, Cape Cod, Mass.

I’m OK with not having a child

“I tried to get pregnant for five long, excruciating years between the ages of 34 and 39. I felt like I had been run through the infertility mill and suffered countless misdiagnoses, so when I finally learned that I had poor ovarian reserve and would never be able to conceive, even via IVF, unless I used donor eggs, there was a sense of relief. The whole process had just left me emotionally strung out. I was distraught and frustrated—how could this happen to me?—but at least I had a feeling of peace. I knew what the problem was, and that there was nothing I could do to ‘fix it.

“I didnt want to go the donor egg route—I didnt want to spend the time, money and energy on more fertility specialists. We contemplated adoption, but after coming to terms with my infertility, I had a surprising realization: I was happy with my life, and I didnt necessarily want to change it. My husband is quite a bit older than me, and his kids are grown. We both enjoy being able to travel and otherwise live our lives the way we want without having to be accountable to anyone. I no longer choke up when someone assumes that just because Im a certain age I have kids, or get defensive when Im asked why Im childless. Im comfortable with my life path the way it is.”

—Lisa, 43, Los Angeles

I put my eggs in storage

“I froze my eggs three years ago as a present to myself for my 35th birthday. Why? I was unwilling to make decisions in life based on pressure from my biological clock. I didnt want to force a relationship because I was worried about how old I was. Id rather find the right marriage and relationship than settle because I felt pressure to start a family. At age 35, I felt that I was at the top of my game workwise—Id just opened three restaurants in Colorado—but I didnt have a viable relationship in sight. This way, I knew Id have some insurance for later in life. If I cant get pregnant on my own, I know I have 15 frozen eggs in storage. Even if they dont pan out, at least Ill know I have exhausted all options.

“The process turned out not to be that big of a deal. The hardest part is psyching yourself up to give yourself a daily injection—but the reality is, its less painful than popping a zit. The biggest issue was the inconvenience: I had to do it every 12 hours for two weeks, so Id have to bring it with me if, say, I was out with girlfriends for dinner. I also felt crampy and bloated during that time, like I was having a really heavy period. I had to ditch my skinny jeans for yoga pants, which, in the greater scheme of things, is nothing. The actual egg retrieval took 45 minutes. I had to go under a mild sedative, and when I woke up I felt a little woozy and needed a friend to drive me home, but I was back at work the next day.

“When I did it, I didnt have anyone else to guide me through the process—I was the first person I knew to do it. Now I have so many friends who have opted to freeze their eggs that Ive lost count. Over the last year, Ive undergone some major life changes: I moved to the East Coast and started a new job. Its overwhelming at times to have hit the reset button at age 38. Right now Im focusing hard on work and finding a life partner. But whether I find him in one year or 10, its good to know that I have some insurance waiting for me back in a freezer in Colorado.”

—Jennifer, 38, Stamford, Conn.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Paleo Diet

Looking for a new (or a millennia-old) diet strategy? Here’s your must-read primer on the paleo diet.

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Sole Mates: Finding the Perfect Shoe

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Healthy Father’s Day Gifts for All Dads

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Health Gear Awards 2011: The Best Fitness Products of the Year

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13 Foods That Are Saltier than You Realize

Just because you can’t taste it doesn’t mean belly-bloating sodium isn’t there. Here’s how to spot the salt that’s hiding in your diet.

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22 Mouthwatering Tomato Recipes

Delicious recipes for Spicy Frozen Bloody Marys, Peach-Tomato Salsa, Caprese Stacks, and more!

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26 Low-Fat Mexican Food Recipes

From tacos to enchiladas, healthier ways to create your favorite Mexican food classics.

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6 Bold Wrap Recipes

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15 Easy Pizza Recipes Under 400 Calories

Pizza often gets labeled as junk food, but the right slice can be filled with antioxidants, fiber, and calcium. Our 15 light pizzas include classic pies as well as barbecue chicken, vegetarian, and white pizza recipes.

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5 Ways to Beat the Waiting-Room Blues

A month before giving birth to her first child, Jacqueline Lisenby, 40, fired her doctor. “His reception area was crowded, the wait times were excruciating and when I finally got in to see him, he would rush through the appointment,” says Lisenby, a corporate recruiter in Nashville. “When he found out I was leaving the practice, he had the nerve to say I would not receive the personalized care I needed at my new clinic!”

Sadly, Lisenby’s experience isn’t unique. Although practices are paying more attention to patient satisfaction these days—witness all the offices that now offer Wi-Fi, coffee and computers—wait times have held steady at just over 20 minutes for the past five years, according to health-care portal Vitals.com. And we’re getting used to it: In a Health.com poll, 39 percent of respondents considered a wait as long as 30 minutes tolerable. “Many doctors simply have a patient roster that’s bigger than they can handle because they’re so fearful about not making enough money in this fee-for-service and managed-care climate,” notes Mark Murray, MD, a family doctor and president of Mark Murray and Associates, a health-care consulting firm in Sacramento, Calif.

Understandable, perhaps—but that doesn’t mean you have time to stare at bad waiting-room art or play Candy Crush on your phone all day. Make these smart moves to see your doctor faster, or at least find one who won’t leave you hanging.

Get the scoop on the best times

In general, the first appointment of the day and the one right after lunch have the shortest wait times—but not always. “At our office, the early hours before work are actually the busiest,” says Lynn Mitchell, who works at the front desk of Menlo Park Dental Excellence in Menlo Park, Calif. So hit up the receptionist for advice. Ask not only about the slots with the shortest waits but also whether the office books multiple appointments at the same time—a practice known as “wave scheduling,” Dr. Murray says—which means the doctor then takes patients in order of arrival. If your doctor’s office does this, show up early to beat the wave.

Choose your day strategically

To get in and get out quickly, avoid Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tuesday is the most popular day to visit the doctor, according to the online booking site ZocDoc.com, while Thursday sees the longest waits. Opt for an appointment on Monday, the day with the shortest in-office waits. (That is, unless you’re going to the pediatrician’s office, where Monday is the busiest.)

Call before you go

This is probably the simplest thing most of us don’t do. Phone your doc, and if you’re told he’s running behind, ask what time you should reasonably arrive. If you show up and find out there’s still a wait, see if you can leave your cell phone number while you go run errands, or get coffee and come back.

Complain (nicely)

If your doctor is chronically late, voice your concern to him. “Lead with a compliment, then bring up the long waits,” recommends James Merlino, MD, chief experience officer at the Cleveland Clinic (yep, they have a whole office devoted to improving patient experience!). You could say, “You’re an excellent doctor, but I get really frustrated when it takes 45 minutes or more to see you. Do you plan on making changes to address that problem?”

Physicians should apologize if they’re late, and if they’re dismissive, consider looking for a new physician—seriously. “Lateness can be fixed,” Dr. Merlino says. At the Cleveland Clinic, for instance, there are signs in the reception area that read: If you’ve been waiting for more than 15 minutes, let us know. And at the Continuum Center for Health & Healing in New York City, patients receive a survey after a visit that asks, among other things, how long they had to wait. Some offices go to great lengths to keep their schedules running like clockwork. Erica Rajabi, administrative director of NYU Langone’s Center for Musculoskeletal Care, monitors practitioners’ wait times on a weekly basis. “It’s about spacing out patients efficiently,” she says. It’s also about strategies like giving patients forms to fill out ahead of time. Otherwise, she says, “things slow down.”

Or just skip the visit entirely

A growing number of practices have nurses on staff who can order prescription refills or answer basic questions—like what to do about seasonal allergies or a cough—by phone. Some doctors also respond via e-mail, eliminating the need for in-person visits. What should you ask electronically? “Queries that require only short, uncomplicated answers, like ‘How often should I take this medication?’ or ‘Is it OK to exercise this soon after surgery?’” says Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, Health‘s medical editor. Anything more is worth a trip in—but hopefully not a long one.

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I Did It! Ready For My Selfie

I was taught to eat everything on my plate. So from a very young age, that’s what I did—even if I was full. My weight mushroomed to more than 200 pounds, but I became a pro at projecting fake body confidence. That was until I saw a photo of myself from a girls’ trip in November 2011. Not only did I look huge, but I saw sadness in my eyes. It was an “Oh my gosh!” moment. I knew it was time for a change.

Diet overhaul

In December 2011, I signed up for Weight Watchers. I had tried several other plans; the few pounds I lost always returned. Weight Watchers made eating healthy seem doable because I didn’t have to give up sweets or stop eating out. All I had to do was count my points. I quickly learned, though, that it was wiser to spend those points on grilled chicken and vegetables than on cartons of Chinese takeout. My new eating habits helped me ditch 20 pounds in eight weeks. And I could finally climb a flight of stairs without feeling winded.

Hello, elliptical

With my eating under control, I took to the elliptical twice a week for eight minutes, followed by a few crunches. I stuck to this regimen for almost seven months, building up to 50 minutes five days a week. And it worked. By August I was down another 70 pounds. My thinner, fitter frame gave me the courage to take on group fitness (Zumba and barre-based workouts). Each class left me aching, but the soreness was worth it because it led to an additional 30-pound loss. Then I hit a plateau. I tweaked my routine, but those last 11 pounds wouldn’t budge. Despite my frustration, I stayed the course. Six months later, I finally hit my goal and found out what it means to be confident in your own skin.

LITTLE CHANGES, BIG RESULTS

Small everyday strategies transformed Michele’s body. Steal the ones below, and find more tested tips on Pinterest (http://ift.tt/1cuzrZq).

MY FIT NIGHT OUT: ZUMBA

Every Wednesday, I take a Zumba class with the friends I met at Weight Watchers. It’s our weekly girls’ night. We catch up, bond and even enjoy a fun workout that burns a bunch of calories!

PORTION SAVER: A SCALE

People tell you to use a deck of cards, but I don’t eyeball anything. I’m loyal to my food scale because if you’re really hungry, your perception may be skewed. This way I know exactly how much I’m eating.

MY CHEAT MEAL OF CHOICE: CHINESE

I will always love Chinese food. Every other week, I have pork fried rice. I don’t eat the entire container, though. I measure out a cup. I just need a taste to curb my craving.

GO-TO SNACK: WHEATABLES

They’re like whole-wheat crackers dipped in honey. It’s a healthy snack masked as a sweet treat.

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORY

Have an amazing body makeover of your own? Tell us about it at health.com/i-did-it and let us know what diet and fitness strategies worked for you.

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5 Big Running Challenges, Solved

I tend to hunch over when I run. How can I correct this?

Hunching is often a sign of fatigue, and the weariness may come from the core. If your center is weak, your lower extremities generally have to do more work, which can lead to overuse injuries, such as runner’s knee and IT band syndrome. And when you’re stooped, your breathing becomes more difficult, so you get tired more easily. Incorporate front and side planks into your weekly workout routine to strengthen your core. When running, think about keeping your shoulders loose and low. To find the right spot, raise your shoulders to your ears, then drop them. Try to keep them where they land.

—Kelly Flynn, a Boston-based running coach

I’m using a treadmill to train for a race. Is this a problem?

Although it’s not an ideal replica of the road, a treadmill can still offer a great workout. Start by adjusting the incline—set it on at least a 1 percent grade to mimic the natural variations found outdoors. Then create an interval workout by manipulating incline, speed or both. After warming up, give yourself a challenge period (say, two minutes at 6.6 mph, or a nine-minute-mile pace, on a 3 percent incline) followed by a recovery period (two minutes at 5.8 mph, or about a 10:20 mile, on a 1.5 percent incline). Make two of your weekly treadmill runs interval workouts; keep the rest at a steady pace. But do try to go on a few runs outside before race day so that your body has a chance to acclimate.

—John Honerkamp, New York Road Runners training coordinator

I keep getting side stitches. What am I doing wrong?

No doubt about it: Side stitches—which are basically just a cramping in the diaphragm muscle—stink. And as with any other muscle, some strengthening (in the form of just getting out and running) is in order. Poor posture is another culprit. The diaphragm sits above key organs, and stooping forward can trigger some pain. Also make sure that you’re hydrated and have enough calcium in your diet (think fat-free milk or fortified orange juice)—this is important for muscle contraction and preventing spasms. Finally, before your run, stick with easily digestible foods, such as a banana or some toast with peanut butter. To treat a side stitch when it strikes, exhale forcefully while dropping your shoulders. Slow your pace (or walk) until the cramp subsides, breathing with an inhalation for two strides and an exhalation for two strides.

—Michele Olson, PhD, exercise physiologist at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama

How can I make jogging-stroller runs less awkward?

For many moms (and dads!), the only time to get outside and run is when taking along a little one or two. Luckily, today’s jogging strollers make it easy to keep your stride. Remember that your pace will likely be a little slower than when you’re running solo, since pushing a stroller adds weight (especially when you’re going uphill) and requires some extra effort. Stand tall when you’re running and use the wrist safety strap so you’re not squeezing the handle too tightly. When running downhill, don’t be afraid to let the stroller gain a little speed. Keep chest up and shoulders down, and try to stay relaxed. [Editors’ note: We love the Bob Revolution SE single stroller ($315; amazon.com), which switches from a swivel front to a locked-in wheel and has a very smooth ride.]

—Kara Goucher, Olympic marathoner and mom to Colt, age 3

I’ve been running for a few months and can’t seem to break the three-mile plateau. What gives?

In general, plateaus are more a result of mind-set than conditioning. If you always run the same route for the same amount of time, you can get used to the idea that you can’t go any farther. To increase your distance, start doing intervals. Warm up at a slower pace for about 10 minutes or one mile, then do one-minute speed bursts at a higher intensity followed by one or two minutes at a slower pace to recover. Do 10 to 12 of these and finish with 10 minutes of easy jogging. Keep it up and you’ll likely go well past the three-mile mark. In addition, it can help to rethink your running course so you’re not stuck in a rut. Or get a friend to join you on your next outing—while you’re chatting away, you’ll cover far more ground than you realize.

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Should You Try Juicing?

Saying you had a “liquid lunch” used to be a cheeky way of owning up to a midday martini. But these days it suggests you’re downing a far more wholesome beverage: juice. Celebs, trainers, foodies and anyone trying to eat healthier rave about how the concoctions have improved their health, giving them whittled-down waists, powered-up immunity and supercharged energy. (We’re not talking about the more extreme, solid-food-eschewing multiday juice fasts, because you already know to steer clear of them.) So are there health reasons to drop $5 to $10 a day on a bright green smoothie? Should you upgrade from a basic blender to an industrial-strength juicer? Here’s the lowdown on what juicing can—and can’t—do for you.

Is there any real health benefit to juicing?

Fresh juice has definite perks, whether you’re buying it premade or pulverizing at home. Chief among them: It helps you get your five cups of produce a day, the target that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends for most people but that few of us manage to hit. Loading up on fruits and veggies helps ward off heart disease and reduce the risk of colon and other cancers. If you’re a picky eater, you may get an even bigger benefit. “It’s an easy way to increase your consumption of good foods that you may not eat otherwise, like kale or spinach,” points out Leo Galland, MD, an internist in New York City and author of The Fat Resistance Diet. While there’s no proof that a blend of fresh produce enhances your immunity, “starting your day well-hydrated and full of antioxidants can’t hurt, especially during cold and flu season,” says Dr. Galland. Drinking up might even improve your skin and mood—but not because you’ve found a magical elixir. The more likely explanation? You’re chugging vitamins and minerals that were missing from your diet. “A smooth complexion could result from getting more vitamin C–rich produce, like pineapple and strawberries, which helps defend against damaging free radicals and aids the body in producing collagen,” explains Joy Bauer, RD, Today show nutritionist and author of Food Cures. As for that extra spring in your step, “it could be because you hadn’t been drinking enough fluids, which made you feel fatigued,” says Ellie Krieger, RD, author of Weeknight Wonders: Delicious, Healthy Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less.

What do I need to watch out for?

Gulping down your produce may be convenient, but it eliminates a key step: chewing. “Chewing kicks your digestive system into gear and helps slow you down so that you consume calories more slowly and gradually,” says Krieger.

And then there’s the fiber fallout. Traditional methods, like centrifugal juicing, get rid of the pulp and skin, a problem because “that’s where the fiber is,” notes Michael Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic. Without fiber to slow its absorption, the sugar in fruit and some vegetables causes your blood sugar to spike and fall, leading to an energy crash and hunger surge later on. So if you’re juicing sweet fruit, balance out the sugar load with veggies like spinach or celery. To make a meal out of your blend, “add protein and healthy fats, like ground flaxseeds or chia,” advises Dr. Galland.

Grabbing bottled juice on the go? Keep an eye on the calorie count and ingredient list. Sugar has many aliases (such as cane juice, fructose and maltose). And some packaged 100 percent juices, as well as options at juice bars, contain nearly 200 calories per serving.

Should I get a fancy juicer? What is a cold-press one, anyway?

Unlike centrifugal juicers—which work via spinning blades—cold pressers crush produce and then squeeze the juice out of its pulp. Believers insist that because this method doesn’t generate heat, it retains more of the foods’ nutrients. But experts aren’t convinced. “There’s no hard evidence to date,” says Bauer.

In fact, some folks are actually returning to the trusty blender. Pureeing your produce is a smart move, says Dr. Galland, because you keep the seeds and skin and preserve fiber. And it can be a money saver in more ways than one, notes Bauer: “If you’re blending, adding frozen fruit is a great way to get the most bang for your buck.”

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13 Healthy Kale Recipes

From soup to chips, fresh new ways to feature this nutrient-packed green.

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10 Ways to Boost Your Odds of Getting Pregnant

Habits to adopt or drop that will increase your chances of having a baby.

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Pregnant? Diet Changes to Make Right Now

A quick-and-easy guide to the nutrients you need and the foods you should eat—and avoid—during pregnancy.

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25 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes

Sweet potatoes are so good for your health. Need ideas for cooking them? These recipes should help.

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26 Quick and Tasty Zucchini Recipes

Zucchini may be at the back of the alphabet, but it’s at the front of our minds when it comes to summer vegetables. Here are 26 ways to cook zucchini (including two zucchini bread recipes!) in dishes that range from sweet to savory to spicy.

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New Greens to Power Up Your Salad

Move over, romaine: These up-and-coming greens give you great health benefits—and flavor, too.

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4 Easy Turkey Recipes

Whether it’s your first time tackling a turkey or you’re just tired of your tried-and-true recipe, we can help. These crowd-pleasing dishes are easy to make and downright delicious.

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Great Takes on Greens

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