THIS IS 54 WHAT LOOKS LIKE

KATIE CALDESI lives with her Italian husband Giancarlo. They have two children, Giorgio, 17, and Flavio, 15. She writes cookbooks, runs a cookery school and owns two restaurants(caldesi.com).

OLIVE OIL CLEANSER

I’M OBSESSED with olive oil. It soothes dry hands and elbows and makes a great natural make-up remover for sensitive skin. Choose a good-quality version. I buy mine in Tuscany, but any good quality organic olive oil will work just as well.

EXERCISE WITHOUT KNOWING

IT’S amazing how fit you can get while you’re doing something else. I have a standing desk at work, and at home I balance on one leg and hold in my core while brushing my teeth. When my husband and I watch TV, we do press-ups and squats.

LOW-CARB DIET

WITHIN eight months of starting a low-carb diet, I lost a stone. My husband was diagnosed with a gluten allergy and type 2 diabetes, so he had to give up pasta and bread. I changed my diet to support him. My eczema and arthritis is much better now, too.

SAVVY SHOPPING

I LOVE to treat myself to a personal shopper in big department stores, but I can recreate this in High Street shops by visiting during the week, when assistants have more time to help. I like to approach women of a similar age for assistance. I trust them more if they are honest.

JOIN A WOMEN’S GROUP

SURROUND yourself with inspirational women. When I hit my mid-40s, I joined a women’s networking group called Athena

(theathenanetwork.com). It’s a good way to make friends and boost your confidence. One member, a drama teacher, gave me advice on how to overcome my fear of public speaking, such as standing with my legs apart in a Wonder Woman pose. It changed my life, as I do book tours for work.