Let’s age beautifully!

Here are easy and natural ways to help you stay looking fabulous and feeling great for longer. No needles, knives or pills required!

Our top tips

Having great posture and balance has to be our big age-defying aim. Nothing else makes us look taller, slimmer and younger instantly! Hanging on to or improving both posture and balance isn’t an impossible dream. Here’s how to straighten up, find your centre and claim back a few years!

Stand in front of a mirror, arms by your sides. Imagine there’s a string at the crown of your head, pulling it up towards the ceiling to lengthen your neck. Check that your chin is tucked under and down. Roll shoulders back and down; lift your rib cage up. Make sure that your pelvis is centred, not tilted. Knees should be straight, but not locked.

Looks better, yes? Honestly, you’ve dropped years! Use weights to do more…

If slouching has become your thing, try an exercise that helps correct that round-shouldered look.

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding small hand weights in front of your thighs; palms facing the body.

Lift the weights straight up, level with your chest until elbows and forearms are parallel with the floor.

Lower to the start point and feel the resistance. Every day, do three sets of 10 repetitions with a mini rest between. Newbies will really feel it working between the shoulder blades. Persevere – your shoulders and back will love you for it!

TEST YOUR BALANCE

Use it or lose it! Try this test to check out your body’s stability:

Stand straight, then raise one leg forward with your knee bent at a right angle, arms stretched out to the sides.

See how long it takes before you put your foot down to stop falling over. More than 30 seconds? You have the balance of a 20-year-old. Less than 10, you’re rated 60!

Not good at standing on one leg? Try with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, and close your eyes. How long can you stay in line?

You should be aiming for 30 seconds!

You could also try our balance booster (right).

BOOST YOUR BALANCE

Here’s a move to improve your balance.

Stand with feet firmly planted hip width apart and hands on hips. Shift your weight on to your right foot and lift your left foot, bending your knee. Hold steady for up to 30 seconds (your goal!).

Slowly lower right foot to the floor and repeat on other side. Do each side 10 times.

Got it cracked? Try some extra balance challenges, suggests trainer Mel Rutherford.

Stand on a foam pad for a less stable surface.

Do the above but try it with eyes closed!

While standing on one leg, swing out then bring back your foot. Tricky!