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Look good, feel good

By Dr. Tedd Mitchell

You probably don't give much thought to your habits. Then again, you probably didn't realize that they largely determine how well you age. Avoiding cigarettes, protecting yourself from the sun, exercising regularly and eating right are the keys to looking and feeling your best. Committing to these habits will make you smile when you look in the mirror:

Avoid skin sins. Maintaining healthy, youthful skin means avoiding cigarettes and the sun. Smoking causes wrinkles, dull skin, stained teeth and bad breath -- all unattractive. The sun's ultraviolet radiation leads to deep wrinkling, solar keratoses (unsightly growths I like to call "skin barnacles"), uneven freckling and various skin cancers. When outdoors, avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day, and always protect your skin with sunscreen (at least 15 SPF) and clothing.

Get moving. Americans are getting fatter -- and that's partly because we're increasingly inactive. A lazy lifestyle steals your health and energy. We spend millions on pills, potions and devices to improve our physiques, but these attempts to cheat Mother Nature never seem to work. Several studies confirm what we already know: Exercise is vital to long-term health. Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week (although some believe 60 minutes should be the goal for weight loss). Yes, this is a considerable time investment, but the way it will make you look and feel is worth the effort.

Eat better. If your daily diet includes high-calorie, high-fat, low-fiber, refined foods, it'll eventually get the best of you. Forget the health ramifications (and there are many): A poor diet can make you feel lousy, and it's difficult to look good if you don't feel good. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, choosing leaner meats, and limiting alcohol, caffeine, fats and sugars will recharge your batteries and dramatically improve your appearance.

Think of looking good and feeling good as two sides of the same coin. If you treat your body right, the benefits will be obvious. You can do it; all it takes is a little time, effort and determination.

Tedd Mitchell, M.D., directs the Wellness Program at the renowned Cooper Clinic in Dallas.