Women in their 40s have 10 pounds less muscle mass than they had in their 20s. And by their 50s, they’re down 15 pounds in muscle mass. Spend 20 minutes twice a week doing some form of strength-training. If hitting the gym isn’t your thing, then carry your groceries in from the car, stack wood for your fireplace, or rake leaves. Or combine it with cardio: sports like swimming, rock climbing, and canoeing have more muscle-building benefits than others. When you add muscle, it helps burn more calories and enables you to perform every activity better.

High blood pressure is so unsexy. Ideally, you want your systolic number to be less than 120. You can get there with regular exercise and a healthy, high-fiber diet that’s low in salt and saturated fat. Also, avoid medications that raise blood pressure, such as birth control pills, anti-inflammatory drugs, cold medicines, and antidepressants. Consult your doctor for safer substitutes.

Rev up your intensity. If you already walk, add some hills and some speed. Crank up the resistance on the bike or the elliptical trainer. Do not be afraid to sweat.

Just as the rest of the muscles in your body stay stronger with regular exercise, so does your vagina. Having sex exercises your pelvic floor muscles and stimulates lubrication by keeping blood vessels dilated. If you don’t have a partner, do it yourself.

Restaurants often use tons of butter and other unhealthy ingredients. When you make your own meals, you know what’s going into them and can use healthy ingredients.

Chill and drink a glass of wine. Observational studies show that women who have one alcoholic beverage are less likely to experience heart trouble. So enjoy a glass of wine at night and relax.

Going panty-less decreases your risk for vaginal infections (which are more common in midlife, thanks to hormonal changes) and keeps you in touch with your body. If you’re unsure or skittish about going "commando," try it at home first.