I love a good massage. I even love a bad massage. I know there are people who can't stand being touched, and I respect that. But I also think they're nuts.

Sixty minutes is never enough. Moderation in all things … except massage. I'm a glutton for glute work. I swoon when the buffed guy with the ponytail gets to my feet and buries his thumbs deep into my sole. And isn't it one of the great pleasures of life when those healing hands sink into your upper back, slither down your spine, and release the pain, tightness and fear created by the Sarah Palin nomination?

In the best of all possible worlds, massage therapy would be part of our regular maintenance routines, like having our teeth cleaned or cutting our hair. Skilled, sensitive bodyworkers do things for you that need to be done. They relieve aching muscles, neutralize tension, balance our energy and unlock blocks — physical and emotional — that keep us from living our healthiest, happiest life. And it's cheaper than dying your hair.

MANY STYLES, MANY SMILES. There is no one best massage technique. Massage is where the expression "different strokes for different folks" originated. Some of us like deep, trigger-point work reminiscent of tactics in the Third Reich; others prefer lighter, longer strokes. No matter your choice — from hot stones to deep tissue, from Swedish to shiatsu — here are some things you should know to make your next massage your best massage:

— Don't lie there feeling guilty about the time or the money. That kind of unproductive thought gets in the way of the magic. Instead, open up fully to the experience you are having. Stay in the moment. You deserve to feel good. Enjoy!

— Before your massage, scan your body for areas that feel tense or strained. Chronic pain in your lower back? Stiff neck? Tight hamstrings? Tell your therapist, and then completely surrender to her touch. Engage your mind, but let your therapist do her work.

— Avoid idle conversation. It's a distraction for both of you. At the same time, give feedback when necessary, especially about the amount of pressure. The stiller you are, the more you can tune into the experience.

— Take a few deep breathes at the start to help you relax and get centered. During the massage, continue to breathe deeply, exhaling into the areas of tension and discomfort. Some therapists may coach you to work with your breath during your session, but don't be shy about going with the flow, inhaling softness and joy, exhaling stress and stock losses.

— A hot shower, bath or sauna can start the unwinding process before the massage. It's also nice to give your therapist a clean body to work with.

— Before your session, or after, ask your therapist to tell you about particular areas where you are holding tension. It could be your neck, your shoulders or your hips. Their feedback can help you pinpoint areas that you need to work on off the table because tight, tense muscles often show up as medical problems down the line.

— Don't eat for a few hours before your massage. The less you have in your stomach, the some comfortable you'll be. And don't forget to drink some water after.

To Peel Off The Pounds, Eat More Fiber

Fiber doesn't cancel out calories — only God and exercise can work that magic — but it does make you feel fuller on fewer calories, and that's a huge help when you're trying to lose weight.

Which would you rather have? One slice of white bread or three cups of raw veggies? The calorie count is about the same, but chomping through all that fiber is very satisfying, very filling and gangbusters when it comes to nutritional value.

So if you're trying to lose a few, find ways to pack more fiber into your everyday routine: Eat more fruits and vegetables (local, organic is best), snack modestly on almonds or walnuts, and learn to love your whole grains.

And whatever you eat, chew it more s-l-o-w-l-y. That's another trick for losing weight. Take a bite and chew it 30 times before the next bite. You'll feel fuller faster. It's a good thing.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! WISDOM OF THE YOGI

"You've got to be careful if you don't know where you're going because you might not get there." — Yogi Berra

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, personal trainer and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to MyEnergyExpress@aol.com. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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