Healthy Secrets to Better Sex

It's no secret that body image plays a leading role in the way you feel about sex. It's what to do about that's always been in question.

Now it appears that scientists are uncovering this relationship and presenting solutions to help you feel better about your body and your sex life.

Dr. Patricia Koch, a sex researcher at Penn State University, recently found a strong relationship between women's body image and sexual satisfaction. Koch's 2009 research published in the Journal of Sex Research found that "the more likely a woman perceived herself as attractive, the more likely she was to report an increase in sexual response or activity." In addition to having more sex, women in the study who felt better about their bodies also reported having "more sexual desire and experiencing orgasms more easily."¹

Other sex scientists suggest that one of the best ways for women to improve sexual satisfaction is by changing their body image. According to research from the University of Texas, "women who experience low sexual satisfaction may benefit from treatments that target these specific aspects of body image.²" The best place to start is by trimming extra fat off your body to reclaim your erogenous zones, like hips and thighs for women and the belly and love handles for the guys.

While eating a healthy and moderate diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is important to feeling great and looking sexy, there is no doubt that exercise is another essential component of the equation. If the promise of better sex isn't enough to get your butt in high gear at the gym, check out these tips on how to get the body you want without giving up the things you love:

* Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walking five flights of stairs three times per day, can burn an extra 100 calories per day. That's equivalent to burning almost one pound of body fat per month, which can keep you 12 pounds slimmer over the next year!

* Make a habit of parking in the furthest parking space from the grocery store or mall and walk to the door. Carrying your groceries back to the car can help you get the lean muscle definition you want.

* Take a 10-minute walk instead of a morning coffee break. Not only will you boost your metabolism, research shows walking may actually help strengthen your bones.

* Sneak in some jumping jacks or sit-ups during a commercial if you're watching television. You still get your dream body without missing your favorite episode.

1. Koch PB, Mansfield PK, Thurau D, Carey M. "Feeling frumpy": the relationships between body image and sexual response changes in midlife women. J Sex Res. 2005 Aug;42(3):215-23.

2. Pujols Y, Meston CM, Seal BN. The Association Between Sexual Satisfaction and Body Image in Women. J Sex Med. 2009 Nov 24.