FIVE WAYS WE PAY FOR BEING FAT

Poor health isn't the only way Americans pay for all that extra weight. There's also a hefty financial price attached. Here are the top five costs associated with obesity:

1. Lower wages: StanfordUniversity researchers found that obese men and women earn, on average, $3.41 per hour less than their peers. Over the course of a year, that means $7,093 in lost income. The income gap is smaller when obese workers are young, but it widens over time. The difference may be partly attributable to healthcare costs: Employers tend to pay obese workers less when they're footing the bill for their insurance, researchers said, speculating that it could be an unconscious reaction on the part of the employer to having to pay higher premiums for a more obese workforce.

2. Fewer work hours: On average, obese workers tend to lose a week of work a year due to ailments related to their weight, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. A firm of 1,000 employees loses $285,000 a year due to obese -- not overweight -- employees, about 30 percent of which is attributable to increased absenteeism.

3. Higher medical costs: Overweight males incur medical costs that are $170 more annually than their leaner co-workers, while overweight females incur costs $495 higher than their counterparts. Hospitals have to pay more to treat the obese -- oversized wheelchairs can cost about $2,500, eight times the cost of an ordinary wheelchair, and operating tables that are strong enough to support the severely obese can top $30,000.

4. Extra air travel costs: Budget airlines such as Southwest require obese people or people who may take up more than one seat to buy an adequate number of seats on the flight. And heavier passengers burn more fuel: In the 1990s, Americans' average weight increased by 10 pounds, which meant that airlines spent $275 million on an additional 350 million gallons of fuel to support that extra weight, according to a 2004 Centers for Disease Control report.

5. More gasoline: Obviously, more weight burns more gasoline in cars, too. A 2006 study found that Americans pumped 938 million more gallons of fuel a year than they did in 1960 because of their heftier frames. That adds up to roughly $3.55 billion in increased annual gas expenditures nationwide.

ADD 24 YEARS TO YOUR LIFE

Staying healthy and taking good care of our bodies is something we all try to do, but sometimes having some tips spelled out for us can help, especially if our goal is to live longer, healthier lives.

The first step, says Jennifer Bright Reich, a writer, is to stay on top of health screenings! For those in their 20s, 30s and 40s, that means:

• Screening for STDs once a year (even if you've had the same partner or have not had sex in that time).
• Seeing a dermatologist once a year for full-body skin cancer screening.
• Seeing your ob/gyn for regular annual check-up and Pap smear.
• Having your eyes examined once a year, starting at age 35.
• Having a yearly mammogram, starting at age 40 (earlier if you have a history of breast cancer in your family).
• Getting a full physical every 2 to 3 years.
• Getting a diabetes screen every 2 to 3 years, starting at age 40 (earlier if you have a history of diabetes in your family).

Doctors estimate that simply staying on top of important health screenings could add more than 4 years to your life! Here's a few other ways to stretch out your years:

Take your meds -- add 12+ years
According to a 2006 survey, nearly 75% of Americans don't take their prescription meds as directed. If you have questions about how to take your meds, your pharmacist can set you straight. Or tell your doc you're having trouble taking the meds as directed and him or her prescribe meds with less complicated instructions.

Do a home-safety check -- add 2+ years
Each year, more than 38,000 women die as a result of home accidents. For starters, make sure all the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers in your home are working. Have a first-aid kit and some basic medical supplies on-hand.

Keep your brain busy -- 4+ years
A study from Chicago's Rush University Medical Center found that people who spend time doing brain-stimulating activities like reading, going to museums or galleries, and doing puzzles like crosswords or Sudoku have less than half the risk of developing Alzheimer's. In other words, "Use it or lose it" applies to your brain, too!

Adopt a pet -- 2+ years
Petting an animal or even just being near a furry friend has been shown to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Pets also help lower stress levels and give us a sense of well-being and comfort. And a 2002 study found that heart-attack sufferers who owned pets were 6 times as likely to be alive a year later as those without four-legged friends.

7 SIGNS YOUR SWEETIE MAY CHEAT

Pretty much anyone who's ever been in a relationship knows that feeling of "Is my baby really working late or could they be two-timing me?" Sometimes it's hard to feel secure that you're the only one in your lover's life -- no matter how in love you are. Relationship expert and author Dr. Gilda Carle shares her knowledge with MSN Lifestyle on the signs someone is cheating (or seriously considering it):

Sign #1: They keep you a secret from their family and friends. Are there gatherings of friends, family or co-workers that you're not invited to? Do you only meet some of your lover's friends? If you're kept on the sidelines, there's probably a reason. Maybe your love's on the prowl for someone else. Or maybe there's already someone else, so no one can know about you! Anytime you're kept on the fringes, be suspicious.

Sign #2: They're emotionally absent. Cheaters hide where they are emotionally, so they can be secretive about where they are physically. Love is exhausting when you have to pry the truth out of a partner. An emotionally absent partner may say what you want to hear, but will not change their actions -- unless they want to. Saying the right thing and doing it are very different. If your sweetie talks about spending more time with you but never delivers -- look out! They may be juggling multiple relationships.

Sign #3: They say they want a no-strings-attached romance. If someone says, "I don't want a commitment," take them at their word. Don't fall into the trap of "I'll be the one to change that!" Cheaters rebel against control and might even have an affair to spite a partner who tries to rein them in. If someone tells you, "I'm not into serious relationships" or "I won't give up my freedom," take a giant step back! They're clearly saying, "I want to play the field" (and they'll do it whether you like it or not).

Sign # 4: They admit to cheating on exes -- and justify it! Cheaters rationalize their behavior to let themselves off the hook. They'll say something like, "My ex was abusive, so I deserved to be with someone on the side" or "My dad cheated on my mom, so I cheat to work through my past." Someone who admits they cheated in the past and justifies it will probably cheat again because they haven't taken responsibility for past actions or worked through the issues involved.

Sign #5: They have never been without a mate. Cheaters won't ride solo... ever! Leaving one romance and hopping into a new one -- or having many affairs at once -- doesn't leave time for figuring out what went wrong. If you're dating someone who always finds a new partner before breaking up with the current partner, forget it!

Sign #6: They tell lies about little things. Cheaters lie about everything. If you're dating someone who seems to be untruthful about everyday things, like where they had lunch or what they did last night-take note! The lies probably run deep.

Sign # 7: They brag about their sex appeal. Cheaters are insecure and need constant attention. They try to boost their own low self-esteem by flaunting their popularity. If a partner boasts how in demand they are, steer clear! This person needs more ego-stroking than one person can provide ... and they'll get it wherever they can.

YOU CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS -- FROM YOUR DOG!

Did you know your dog can help mend your marriage? Just follow your dog's example -- and your spouse will improve, says an expert. Carla Genender, author of DogSense: 99 Relationship Tips from Your Canine Companion, once said to her husband: "Our dogs listen better than you do!" That got her to thinking about how humans could learn relationship skills from dogs. Here are her tips ...

1. Wear rose-colored glasses. Dogs look at us through rose-colored glasses. To them, we're wonderful. If we only looked at our spouses the same way, think how much better our relationships would be!

2. Be there for each other. Dogs realize that sometimes all we need is for them to be there. When we're having a bad day, they respond by looking at us with love and concern, and by comforting us with their presence. Instead of trying to solve your spouse's problems, often it's best just to be there -- like Fido!

3. Play together. Dogs love to play with humans -- fetch, tug-of-war, chasing a Frisbee ... Unfortunately, playing together is something we humans put off or give up because of time pressures. To strengthen your relationship, make time for your spouse, find something you both enjoy, and play together.

4. Listen. When you talk to your dog, chances are they'll look at you intently, as if they're interested in what you're saying. Too often we humans are too busy to listen to our spouses. We should learn to listen from our dogs.

JURRASIC BEER

Raul Cano is a real-life "Jurassic Park" scientist. He is famous for having actually extracted DNA from an ancient Lebanese weevil, just like they did in the movie.

He's been goofing off with trying to create new antibiotics -- but he recently had a breakthrough that could truly benefit mankind for generations. He developed a new beer made from yeast that's 25 to 45 million years old.

"I was going through my collection, going, 'Gee whiz -- this is pretty nifty. Maybe we could use it to make beer,' " said Raul, now working at California Polytechnic State University.

He created Fossil Fuels Brewing Co., which ferments a yeast strain Cano found in a piece of ancient Burmese amber. The company introduced its pale ale and German wheat beer last month.

"My dad used to drink," said Raul. "I remember when I was 10, 12 years old, I used to walk over to where he had a mini glass of beer and talk him out of 10 cents, so I could go to a movie and have a hamburger."

"It was really refreshing and tasty. Drinking two ounces a week in the warmth and the humidity -- there's very little better than a cold beer. Nothing better than a cold beer."

The memory of that taste inspired him to create Fossil Fuels.