bad habbits to get rid of...

"Wearing New Clothes Without Washing Them First

When Philip Tierno, director of microbiology at New York University, took cultures from new clothing, he discovered a shocking level of filth -- from feces and vaginal secretions to diarrhea-causing viruses. Protect yourself by wearing a T-shirt and undergarments when you try on clothes and scrubbing down your hands after shopping. Then once you get that new outfit home, definitely wash it before you wear it.

Doing Crunches Every Day

While crunches and sit-ups may work wonders on your abs, they can also put pressure on your lower back. Repeatedly bending over in an attempt to flatten your abs slowly breaks down spinal disks. You don't have to ditch crunches entirely but do use proper form or consider some other ab flatteners, like the bicycle, which is considered more effective.

Nursing a Grudge

A University of Tennessee-Knoxville study, found that when you're willing to let bygones be bygones, you improve the condition of your heart. The research demonstrates that forgivers have lower blood pressure than those filled to the brim with resentment.

Procrastinating

Research at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found that procrastinators suffer 20 percent more colds and flus than the just-do-it crowd. The same study shows that putting things off can bring on headaches, sleep problems and tummy trouble. Never put off for today what could cause heartache tomorrow.

Carrying an Oversize Purse

While your cute handbag may draw stares from admiring oglers, it may also be jeopardizing your health. Shazia Khan, M.D., co-medical director at Loyola Primary Care Center at Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., says that bags weighing 10 or more pounds put a strain on the neck and shoulders and cause pain and injury. Khan suggests that women use small purses made with light material or backpacks that distribute weight evenly. Can't bear to part with your mega tote? Alternate the shoulder on which you carry the bag or try some strength-training exercises for your neck, back and shoulder.

Forgetting to Floss

Daily flossing and brushing may do far more than just protect your pearly whites -- they may save your heart. The American Academy of Periodontology reports a link between poor gum health (namely, periodontal disease like gingivitis) and an increased risk for heart disease -- the No. 1 killer of Americans. That's because bacteria from the mouth can enter the blood stream through the gums.

Sleeping With an Old Pillow

Pillows, one of many household health hazards, are a breeding ground for dust mites and fungi, which can give you major allergies. Researchers at University of Manchester, England, found 16 types of fungi in the pillows they analyzed (feather pillows had fewer fungi than synthetic ones). Washing a pillow will rid it of some of the fungi, but the average pillow lasts just 18 months before it should be replaced.

Racing Through Meals

Too harried and hurried to sit and savor your food? The grab 'n' go lifestyle not only increases your risk for acid reflux and indigestion, but those who inhale their food often consume too many calories. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that women who ate slowly consumed 70 fewer calories than those who stuffed down their meals -- in part because when you eat rapidly, you don't give your brain a chance to signal your stomach that it is full.