Handbag Overload

(NAPSI)-Could that iPod you just tossed into your already overstuffed handbag be one gadget too many?

If you're like many women, the answer may be yes. Health experts say handbags often weigh 10 to 15 pounds--instead of the one to two pounds that doctors recommend. If your bag is maxed out, adding even a small additional weight could lead to injury.

"Heavy, cumbersome bags may leave you with back, neck and shoulder pain, even headaches, and can aggravate or accelerate arthritic conditions," says Gerard W. Clum, D.C., president of California's Life Chiropractic College.

If you must carry heavier items, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress suggests using a bag with two shoulder straps or pulling a carrying case with wheels. And if you experience pain, a chiropractor might help you identify its causes and devise a plan for treating it.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care. For more information, visit the Web site www.yes2chiropractic.com.

Finding A Suit For Your Body Shape

(NAPSI)-Bathing suit shopping does not have to put you in a bad mood. There is a way to find a suit that flatters--and it all comes down to fit.

The best place to start is at the very beginning--with body shape. If your hips are wider than your bust, a shape known as triangle, then go for swim separates in lighter colors or patterned tops to emphasize your upper body and darker bottoms to minimize hips.

For inverted triangle shapes, meaning your shoulders are wider than your hips, a skirtini will balance your silhouette. If you have an hourglass shape, meaning the hips and shoulders are balanced and the waist is defined, consider yourself lucky because any classic bathing suit shape will flatter your figure.

For rectangles, your shoulders and hips are of equal proportions, so go for styles with detailing around the waist, like stripes or a sash to accentuate the waistline. And lastly, if your waist is larger than your shoulders and hips, referred to as a circle, seek out one-piece suits with Empire waistlines or shirring and power mesh for extra tummy control.

If you fall into the plus-size range (16 to 34), as over 30 percent of American women do, bathing suits that fit and flatter are even harder to come by. For plus-size swimwear that accentuates the positive, you can check out the selection at Catherines and catherines.com. Because the company offers plus sizes exclusively, it knows how to flatter fuller figures.

So, now that you know what shape you are--and which swimsuits to wear based on your shape--make a splash and suit yourself with a great new look.

Once you figure out your body shape, it can be easier to find a swimsuit that both fits and flatters your dimensions.