Is This How Celebs Over 40 Get Their Age-Defying Bodies?
At 42, Gabrielle Union’s body defies the passing of time. (Photo: Instagram)
Some celebrities seem to age in reverse. Despite being over 40, their bodies are trim, firm, and completely free of crepey skin. They defy the idea that our metabolisms slow as we age and that our bodies reach a physical peak in our late 20s. The million-dollar question: how do they do it? A new book claims to have the answer, but it’s controversial.
The Ageless Body authors Peta Bee and Dr. Sarah Schenker are both over 40 with children and demanding jobs and social lives, but have bodies seemingly unaffected by passing time. They cite celebrities as examples for their effective methods, crediting the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Eva Mendes, Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz, Liz Hurley, Naomi Watts, Uma Thurman, Cate Blanchett, and Helen Mirren with creating a “new breed of women.”
They recognize the dramatic shift in body expectations in recent years, and they’re going with it. “Despite being plagued by a slowing metabolism and a naturally-occurring loss of muscle mass, pre- and post-menopausal women can realistically aim for the healthy, well-functioning body they crave as well as a physique that looks good with a flat stomach and sculpted arms,” the forward states. “What matters, [the authors] have discovered through self-experimentation and trawling the scientific literature, is how you go about holding back the years. And the rules — for both exercise and diet — have changed.”
The way they see it, aging women have two options, fight it or be fat. “There comes a time when a woman has to decide whether to fight the ageing process or embrace the elasticated waist,” the authors write in the Daily Mail. “But while some happily wave the white flag and others battle on through starvation diets, injectables and subterfuge, there’s a wave of gorgeous, high-profile women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s who epitomise an altogether different approach to the whole business… redefining the ageing process.” The authors’ approach to aging doesn’t differ much from the starvation diets they claim to reject, though. The book breaks down Hollywood’s enviable, “ageless” bodies into 8 habits that readers are encouraged to follow, the first being skipping breakfast.
1. Skip breakfast
The authors say: Liz Hurley says she maintains her figure by consuming hot water and the occasional espresso in the morning, saying, “the only meal I have is dinner.” The authors advise that the number of calories we need to survive decreases every year after we turn 30, and recommend a 1,600-1,700 calorie diet. “This doesn’t mean dieting. Instead, the answer to eating less lies in reminding yourself what hunger feels like and eating only when you are hungry,” they write. “To hit the pause button on middle-aged weight gain, you need to build hunger back into your life… A three to four-hour ‘hunger’ gap between meals isn’t just the key to dropping a dress size, it will also help hold back the years.”
The nutritionist says: “Eat like a bird or skip a meal and you risk gaining instead as metabolism slows to defend against what feels to your body like starvation,” writes nutritionist Mickey Harpaz. “You’ve got to eat to get thin. But women need to know what and how to eat in order to increase metabolic rate and burn body fat. Small amounts of food at frequent intervals rather than three big meals a day will help regulate blood sugar, burn calories, melt fat and get you thinner.”
2. Carbs just once a day
The authors say: “Studies show dwindling oestrogen levels cause the body to use starches and blood sugars less efficiently, promoting weight gain.” They recommend limiting starchy vegetables “carrots, parsnips, and butternut squash for lunch OR dinner, not both.”
The nutritionist says: It’s true that menopausal women have a lower carb tolerance, but it’s possible to go low carb without being so restrictive. Anne Louise Gittleman, author of Before the Change: Taking Charge of your Perimenopause, recommends regulating your menopausal hormones by balancing your macronutrients with carbohydrates. Gittleman advises a diet consisting of 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% healthy fats.
3. Strengthen bones
The authors say: “Looking after your bone health protects against osteoporosis, but it could also protect your face against wrinkles and jowls too,” they write. “As we get older, our eye sockets, jaw and nose begin to change. Eye sockets enlarge and the angle of the bones beneath the brows decreases, causing frown lines and crow’s feet to form.” They recommend packing in vitamin D to protect your bones and eating leafy greens that are full of calcium to keep the bones in your face and in the rest of your body from diminishing, and resulting in less sagging and fewer fine lines.
The nutritionist says: Menopausal women are at higher risk for osteoporosis, but the book’s diet recommendation of low carbs and high protein can increase this risk. “Eating a very high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet means the body must use a lot of calcium, which can be pulled from a woman’s bones,” writes Livestrong.
4. Quick fix for cankles
The authors say: “As your core weakens with age, your body could be unconsciously compensating for poor balance by turning your feet and toes outwards - like a duck - in an attempt to widen your support base,” the authors write. “Act fast. Stand and walk with your feet precisely parallel, forcing your all-important postural muscles -those muslces most involved in maintaining your upright posture such as the spinal muscles, hip flexors and calves - to work hard to keep you balanced.” They advise that this will improve your gait and will minimize fluid retention in your ankles.
The experts say: According to Caroline Cederquist M.D., when cankles can be blamed on fluid retention, a diet high in sodium is usually the culprit. But the calves and ankles are largely genetic and can’t be altered much.
5. Pose like a dancer
The authors say: “As the important postural muscles of the core and abdomen start to weaken and the jelly-like disks between the vertebrae of the spine dry out and become thinner, slouching can swiftly become the ageing woman’s default stance. Which, of course, is thoroughly ageing in itself,” they write. “This one is a quick fix. Merely thinking like a ballerina (stand tall and hold your tummy in) can be incredibly rejuvenating as it creates height and slims the torso.” They claim this will help you drop a decade.
The experts say: “Sucking in your stomach muscles makes it impossible to breathe correctly which in turn prevents you from having good posture,” writes posture expert and former delegate to the White House Conference on Aging Dr. Steven Weiniger. “Poor posture leads to a host of other problems, including a sore neck and shoulder muscles, poor balance, arthritis and injuries.” Weiniger can attest to the many benefits of good posture, but instead recommends breathing deeply into your belly, which isn’t possible if you’re holding it in.
6. Walk, don’t run
The authors say: “Extreme cardio workouts can cause dramatic weight loss and inflict the kind of wear and tear that leads to drawn features, sunken cheeks and hollow eyes.” They instead advise walking outside 45 minutes to an hour, four times per week.
Studies say: Opponents of cardio argue ignore studies that show the anti-inflammatory results of cardio exercise and some suggest that running doesn’t aid weight loss because it decreases metabolism. In fact, studies have found that it is among the most efficient forms of exercise for burning visceral fat. While walking may be plenty of cardio for some people, it won’t cut it for others. And those, too, are the people who likely won’t experience the issue of dramatic weight loss, sunken cheeks, and hollow eyes.
7. Sleep yourself slim
The authors say: “A good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to balance errant hormones and reduce stress,” they write. “During deeper sleep, human growth hormone (HGH) is released. Not only does it repair muscles but it works hard to convert fat to fuel, naturally reducing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol - the enemy of the nipped-in waist.”
Studies say: Oversleeping is as bad for you as undersleeping. Yes, sleep is crucial and can aid weight loss by keeping your energy levels in check, thus keeping your body from craving extra food to get it through the day, but finding the proper balance is key. “Oversleeping messes with our circadian rhythm — a 24-hour cycle that is driven by our biological clocks and results in physical, mental, and behavioral changes,” writes Medical Daily. “By sleeping longer than normal, we unknowingly throw off our regular circadian rhythm. Those feelings of lethargy, fatigue, and drowsiness come from a sleep cycle that is out of whack and the human body not knowing what time it is, kind of like jet lag.” Symptoms of oversleeping include headaches, low serotonin levels, lower back pain, and even stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
8. Get sexy
The authors say: “Friskiness is never age-dependent - in fact studies show sexual desire can be boosted, whatever your age, and there’s a certain twinkle in the eye and a glow to the cheek of the sexually-active woman that can be incredibly rejuvenating,” the authors write. “One surefire way to rescue a flagging libido is through exercise. It takes just 20 minutes of activity (any activity - fully clothed!) to boost blood flow, resulting in more lubrication, better arousal and better orgasms.” They say that the more body fat you have, the less libido boosting, free-floating testosterone you have, so keeping trim is important for this stop.
Studies say: It’s true that sex is good for you, but women over 40 are likely to experience decreased libido due to menopause. In addition to regular exercise, experts recommend limiting alcohol and tobacco, taking estrogen-regulating vitamin E supplements, and eating foods that contain isoflavones and phytoestrogens such as soy, legumes, and whole grains as they will help your body to replace the estrogen lost during menopause.
So, is this how the new era of celebrities over 40 maintain bodies fitter and more toned than those of 20-year-olds? While some of these practices are good form, we hope the stars whose bodies we envy most are enjoying full portions and running their hearts out like little kids as they please. A hint of motivation is healthy, but obsessing over getting back your 30-year-old body is not.
Related:
Celebs Over 40 Prove That Bikini Bodies Can Get Better With Age
