HOW DID YOU DO?

Discover if your body is ageing gracefully or in need of a nudge SAME AGE OR YOUNGER

✣ Congratulations on your healthy lifestyle. Stay on track by meal planning and scheduling exercise. ‘Challenge yourself by setting personal bests or entering a charity fitness event,’ says Michelle.

TRY THIS: Learn a new skill. It can help form new neural pathways and make existing ones stronger.

✣ +1 TO 3 YEARS Nearly there! Introduce two weekly weighttraining sessions, to age-proof your bones – there are plenty of free online beginner workouts.

TRY THIS: Eat purple fruit. Blueberries, blackcurrants and blackberries get their pigment from anthocyanins – antioxidants that help ward off disease.

✣ +4 TO 8 YEARS ‘Be more active – go for a jog or try a new exercise class,’ suggests Michelle. For better sleep, switch off electronic devices by 9pm and make sure you get outdoors daily to help create regular sleep-wake patterns.

TRY THIS: Meditate. Constant stress accelerates the ageing process. Search Youtube for free mindfulness sessions.

✣ +9 YEARS OR MORE Tiny tweaks can make a difference. ‘Drink plenty of water and cut down on ready meals and junk food. Eat lean meat, fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds,’ advises Michelle. ‘Increase your heart rate by 60% every two days with brisk walking.’

TRY THIS: Stand more. Sitting for 10 hours or over could age you by up to eight years.