It's an aspect of our health that most of us take for granted: Have sex, get pregnant, right? In reality, even minor stressors can throw your body out of whack. If you're trying to conceive, these simple health moves can help protect your fertility.

Watch Your Weight
Aside from the other risks it poses to your health, excess body fat can lead to an overproduction of certain hormones that disrupt ovulation. Your cycles may be less regular, you may ovulate less often, and you lower your chances of getting pregnant. On the flip side, too little body fat means your body may not produce enough hormones to ovulate each month or to sustain a pregnancy if you do conceive. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. Just don't overdo it, says Christopher Williams, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, and author of The Fastest Way to Get Pregnant Naturally (Hyperion). Women who exercise intensely (like long-distance runners or competitive athletes) may stop ovulating or ovulate less frequently. Overexercising also raises miscarriage risk. Talk to your doctor or midwife about your workout routine before trying to get pregnant.

Eat Well
Staying well nourished boosts your odds of conceiving. Make sure to include enough protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C, because deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to lengthened menstrual cycles (and therefore less frequent ovulation) and a higher risk of early miscarriage. Women athletes are prone to being deficient in zinc, Dr. Williams says. "Oysters are a rich source, but it's probably easier for most women to get zinc -- plus all other essential vitamins and minerals -- from a daily multivitamin supplement." Also include protein-rich foods in your diet, such as meat, fish, low-fat dairy products, eggs, and beans. Vegetarians can get their complete amino acids by including flavorful combinations of protein-containing foods, such as rice and beans or stir-fry with tofu.

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