Yes, it's true, 50% of the fertility depends on you, my friend. Improve your diet, get your check up, and tame down your lifestyle to be at your maximum fertility.

Diet and Lifestyle Choices, Preconception

Eat a balanced diet. Cut the junk food and increase your lean protein, green leafy vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Increase your vitamins and minerals. Linked with upping sperm motility and decreasing the risk of damaged sperm, get more vitamin C - drink more orange juice when getting ready to give it the ol' college try. Doctors also recommend getting more zinc (found in ground beef and dark chicken meat) for boosting testosterone levels, calcium and vitamin D (milk!) for improved fertility. Eating the well balanced diet mentioned above is going to help you get the extra vitamins you need.

Lay off or cut back on the alcohol. As my doctor once told me, "Go ahead and drink! Do you know how many babies were conceived after a glass of wine?" -- The important thing is how often you drink, and how much. A drink or two every now and again is considered okay, but daily liquor (or beer, or wine) consumption can decrease your fertility and increase the risk of damaged sperm.

Cut out the drugs. Recreational drugs like marijuana and cocaine can inhibit your ability to produce reproductive hormones and decrease your sperm's ability to run like the wind. Also, drug use is known to cause birth defects.

Keep the family jewels cool and comfy. You know what we're talking about. No hot tubs, saunas, or tight fitting clothes. Also, if you're a biker, invest in an ergonomic seat to give your genitals relief from constant, nerve-damaging pressure. Ask your doctor for more information.

Damage-free activities. Keep the you-know-whats out of harm's way, so wear the proper athletic gear when playing sports to avoid injury.

Get a physical. If you haven't done so, get a general check up by your doctor. Let him or her know that you and your partner are planning to get pregnant. Discuss any complications, such as cycling, or maybe the prescription drugs you're taking. If you want to get started on the right foot, learn as much as you can now about keeping yourself in shape.

Stop smoking. It's bad for you, it's bad for the mother, and it decreases sperm motility and damages it as well, making it bad for everbody.

Take it easy. Stress has been linked with men's dropping testosterone levels and sperm counts. So, ease up and relax so you can enjoy the baby-making!