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DEL.ICIO.USAging well isn’t only the luck of genetics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll never forget the day my mom and I were asked if we were sisters. I was a teenager and my mom was in her late 30s. We had been shopping at a department store and were in the process of checking out when the cashier popped the question. “Are you two sisters?” I wanted to shout back “Are you crazy? This is my mom.” Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut and let my mom bask in the glory of being mistaken for someone much younger. I was appalled by the question because I thought my mom was, well, old, and how could someone possibly mistake me as someone her age? Twenty years and a few wrinkles later, I have a much different point of view. I’m ecstatic when people think I’m much younger than I am. Some of us age more gracefully than others. My mom, for instance, didn’t have gray hair until she was about 40. And my grandmother, who turns 85 this year, looks better than she did 15 years ago. Genes play a big role in how we look as we age, but I like to think that the way we take care of ourselves and the way we approach life matters just as much, if not more.
What’s your secret for looking young?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Inspiration
Comments
By pbj
June 21, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
stay out of the sun, drink lots of water, get a restful night sleep, limit stress, eat a balanced diet, stay social/active, use a good moisturizer and not bar soap.
By msteven
June 21, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Hit the gym 5x a week! eat small portions..stay out the sun, lay off booze! slow down on the stress(eaiser said then done). excerise. take walks. think young.
By Lola
June 21, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
I agree with pbj totally, with one exception - I use Caress on my face, always have, as well as a good moisturizer, and my facial skin still has no wrinkles (I’m 39 yrs. old), no crow’s feet, no laugh lines, so the Caress is working somehow! The BIGGEST factor is staying out of the sun. I see these teenage girls at the pool just baking for hours and all I can think of is how many laser treatments they’ll need to remove the melanoma spots in a few years. If you’re not going to keep your entire body out of the sun, at least keep your face out and always wear sun block as well as a hat. You’ll be SO glad you did later in life!
By Gabby
June 21, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Three words. Don’t get married.
By Lee
June 21, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
Stop eating garbage and sitting on your behind all the time.
By Toad
June 21, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
Don’t smoke and don’t drink much alcohol. Both of these habits dry out your skin. If you do drink alcohol make sure you drink a lot of water.
By Young Granny
June 21, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
I am 57 y.o., and have been told on numerous occasions I look 15-20 years younger. I don’t drink, don’t laze in the sun, and don’t smoke (smoking makes lines around the mouth!). The 3 worst things for your skin. I was lucky I never had acne, or even pimples, as a teen. I’m lucky, too, because my mom always looked a lot younger than her years, and we were often mistaken for sisters. I wash my face 2-3x a day with a mild soap like Ivory or Dove, nothing “perfumed” or “deodorized” or it will dry out your skin. (The daily dirt you pick up on your face needs to be removed to keep pores clear.) I don’t wear face make-up, only a little eye make-up, because make-up is awful for the skin.
By DRJ
June 21, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Drink less, work out, eat right, and take one shot of aloe juice a day with breakfast.
By Want t look young
June 21, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
keep hydrated this is IMPORTANT
keep your body fat down that alone will make you look 10+ yrs younger
take a multi vitamin every other day or twice a week
take potasium 3-4X weekly to keep water retention in check
Work out and or walk/jog 3-4 X weekly
use aloe vera on your face and neck after a shower EVERY DAY
works well for me, I am 34 and as a strong and young looking as I was when I was 22
By just passing through
June 21, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this
no booze, no smoking, no illegal drugs, stay out of the sun and use a good sunscreen. And laugh a lot.
By Larry
June 21, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
eat a lot sleep a lot brush ‘em like crazy run a lot do a lot never be lazy (from “Mama Says” by the Beach Boys’ “Wild Honey” album)
By Young Granny
June 21, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
Laughter IS the best medicine, but have you never hear of laugh lines? Be careful!
By Bad Kitty
June 21, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
I guess I’m relatively lucky, I AM about 35 lbs overweight. Except for being vegetarian, my diet isn’t perfect & I know I need to exercize more. I don’t do anything specific to look young (I’m told I look about 15 years younger than my actual age) but I have good genes (my family isn’t PRETTY, but we look youthful), don’t smoke, drink, suntan etc.
By sharon
June 21, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
living a stress free life, having inner peace, being physically fit, whitening your teeth, taking good care of your skin and hair, update your makeup and not wearing matronly looking clother will do the trick. Beauty must haves: clinique facial soap, clinique dramatically different lotion, vitamin eye and eye moisturizers.
By sharon
June 21, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
oops, I meant vitamin e.
By PatC
June 21, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
Keys to Aging Well
-Don’t smoke -Avoid alcohol -Drink 64oz water daily -Eat balanced vegetarian diet -Develop good coping skills -Keep a healthy weight -Exercise regularly -Sleep well -Maintain strong social ties -Keep learning
By SexyLeggs
June 21, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this
You know, it’s funny what society says we should do. I am 48 years, 119 lbs with a great body and great legs (so I’ve been told). I look around 34 (so I’ve been told over and over again). I take good care of myself. Drinking water is good for you, but I don’t drink nearly what I should. I eat whatever I like within reason. I think the key is my daughter, playing wither her, acting younger than I am, and simply enjoying life. Thank goodness I don’t own one wrinkle (at least not yet).
By SexyLeggs
June 21, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
Also, I come from great genes…all of the women in my family are aging extremely well…
By Ike Anderson
June 21, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
I have found by using a very good moisturizer is a big help along with a sunscreen can be very helpful in maintaining a youthful appearance!!
By kb
June 21, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
I’m sure genetics play a huge role in this arena! Unless you deliberately take measures to damage your skin (i.e smoking, sunbathing) you’re probably aging pretty close to how you are destined - with some added tips maybe making a subtle difference.
I don’t fall for all of the expensive creams since I’ve read repeatedly that they fare just as well as the dime-store concoctions. I do however, use a buff-puff every night before moisturizer. Like a man who shaves and keeps a young face, women can get the same effect with exfoliation.
Anyway SMILE - you’re beautiful!
By Cletus Snow
June 21, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this
The secret to looking young is simple die sooner.They say the girls get prettier at closing time,there may some truth to that,12oz. of Jack Daniels might make you look younger espicially at closing time
By Elizabeth
June 21, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
Moisturize and stay of out the sun!
By Mike
June 21, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
I smoke, I drink, I rarely sleep more than 6 hours a night, only sporadically take vitamins, but I cycle over 2000 miles a year. I’m told I look 10 to 15 years younger than my age, and recently, a bank manager demanded a second ID to prove I was 54. Mostly, it’s exercise and good genes. Sure, I could cut out the smoking and drinking, but why miss out on the fun? Keep your BMI in check and stay in shape !
By Denese
June 28, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
I absolutely love it when people mistake me and my 17 year-old daughter for sisters! That’s why I take her with me everywhere I go!!
I do believe genetics play a huge part in how we age. But mostly, it’s how we live out life. Diet and exercise are, of course, very important. but the best rule of thumb is to take EVERYTHING in moderation. Mama always said that too much of anything is not good for you.
But, my sister, who also looks younger than her age, says the secret is in the Kool-aid! Red Kool-aid, at that!