The Cardiologist Says

Nieca Goldberg, an associate professor of medicine and the medical director of the Women’s Heart Program at New York University, in New York City

Do some navel-gazing. “Even if you’re slim, storing fat around your belly is linked with a higher risk of heart disease,” says Goldberg. Measure your waist regularly. Ideally, it should be less than 35 inches. To manage your middle, get daily aerobic exercise and avoid simple carbohydrates, such as pastries and white bread, which can increase belly fat.

Take your numbers. “If you are over 35 and don’t know your blood pressure and cholesterol, see your doctor,” says Goldberg. Having that information lets you and your doctor assess your heart-disease risks.

Go (a little) nuts. Walnuts, which contain healthy fats and alpha linoleic acid, may be good for your heart. Have a handful a few times a week.

The Sports-Medicine Doctor Says

Kathy Weber, the director of women’s sports medicine at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago

Risk making a fool of yourself. When it comes to exercising, doing the things you aren’t good at will help you the most. “People tend to gravitate toward the activities they’re best at and ignore everything else,” says Weber. (The naturally flexible become yoga addicts; those with good cardio endurance focus on running.) But always doing the same activity can cause imbalances in your muscles, which can lead to overuse or injury.

Get your rear in gear. Women tend to be naturally weak in the hips and the gluteals, but if those areas are not strong, the knee and hip joints must absorb all the impact. Strengthening the backside helps prevent a lot of injuries, such as hip bursitis, tendinitis, and gluteal strains. For a good rear-end workout, go to www.realsimple.com/rearmoves.

Buy new sneakers. Runners and walkers should get a new pair of sneakers after the old ones have gone 300 to 400 miles, which is about every five months if you go three miles a day, five days a week. “Wearing them after they break down can lead to problems ranging from achy feet to knee or hip injuries,” says Weber. If you’ve lost track of how long you’ve had your sneakers, compare them with a new pair and look for signs of deterioration in the soles, the arch support, and the overall cushioning.