Confessions: Meet women in New York who dish out their worst health habits.

Posted under female workout

Get to know some of the bad habits of New York City, then seek the advice of the experts for advice on how to make over their routines.

I don’t even have a doctor!

Courtney Sweet, 26, Eugene, Oregon

Reality check
Women who don’t undergo annual screen test may feel great now. Women just like Sweet need to ward off future troubles with annual screen tests. Reminders to eat well and exercise are to measure your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. Reproductive health needs to be taken care of as well through Pap test and an STD screening. If you have no idea which doctor is the best to screen your health then get a reference from a pal.

I am always in 3- to 5-inch heels.

Qiana Douglas, 24, Brooklyn, New York

Reality check
High heels can make your legs look lean but not necessarily a good thing when it comes to your health. Stepping on a pair of stilettos on a regular basis can result to bunions, hammertoe and hip and back pain, says Rachel S. Rohde, M.D., spokeswoman in Royal Oak, Michigan, for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your solution is to pick shoes with 2-inch heels at a max, and a wide toe box. You should also bring an extra supportive flats when commuting.

I’m a total caffeine junkie.

Keri Kosach, 27, Reno, Nevada

Reality check
Moderation is key when it comes to just about anything including caffeine consumption. Most health experts consider 200 to 300 milligrams daily-the equivalent of three cups of drip coffee-to be a safe amount. Higher doses of java may cause anxiety and headaches. If you jump for a cup of coffee, cut back gradually by going half-caffeine with your morning latte and swapping your afternoon brew for good cleansing water.

I sleep only six hours each night.

Gael Heybers, 29, Delft, Netherlands

Reality check
We need an average of eight hours of sleep each evening, says Carol Ash, D.O., medical director of Sleep for Life, a sleep lab in Somerville, New Jersey. Heybers’s growing sleep debt may boost her chances of developing insulin resistance or hypertension, and worst, gaining weight. Seek to maintain a consistent schedule of bedtimes and wake times. A regular time of getting in and out bed including weekends will help set your body clock thus establish a healthy regimen.

I don’t really floss that often.

Michelle Whetton, 20, Brantford, Ontario

Reality check
Bacteria collects under gums and between teeth, where their brushes can’t reach. The buildup can lead to periodontitis, an infection linked to heart disease, says Sally Cram, D.D.S., a periodontist in Washington, D.C. Too tired at the end of the day? Stash your toothbrush and toothpaste in the shower and floss after your morning lather and rinse.

I pump up my iPod all day long.

Jenna Howell, 24, Brooklyn, New York

Reality check
Your risk of hearing loss is increased due to prolonged listening to loud music . If you pop in earphones for up to two hours a day, you can listen at a maximum of three quarters of the volume bar safely, says Michael Epstein, Ph.D., professor of speech-language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University in Boston. Try noise-canceling headphones to drown out your surroundings.

I BlackBerry 24/7, even at the wheel.

Elizabeth Weisman, 31, Austin, Texas

Reality check
Hands at 10 and 2, Elizabeth! Studies show that using messaging devices while driving quadruples your risk of crashing. Keep your PDA on silent both when on the road or walking about. If you really have to use it, pull over to the side, out of the way of auto and foot traffic, says Mark Melrose, M.D., an emergency-medicine physician in Montclair, New Jersey.

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