53-year-old Grandma Looks Half Her Age, Attributes it to Exercise and Healthy Diet

In 2018, the anti-aging market was worth about 50.2 billion dollars. Experts expect this number to continue growing over the next few years [1]. Why? Because we all want to turn back the clock and maintain our youthful selves for as long as possible. One 53 year old grandma, however, seems to have unlocked the secret to defying age. According to her, you cannot find the key to youthful looks and vitality in a bottle. That’s right- it’s good old exercise, diet, and a positive attitude.

53 Year Old Grandma Looks Half Her Age

Puspa Dewi is a 53-year-old grandma from Indonesia. Looking at her, however, you would never imagine that she has a grandchild, or even grown children, for that matter. In fact, most people would guess the woman is in her early twenties. Dewi recently celebrated her 26th wedding anniversary with her husband and has two children, 23-year-old Daniel and 26-year-old Dennis. Dennis is the father of her new grandson, Neil. In fact, in many ways, she looks younger now than she did twenty years ago!

Read: World’s Fittest Grandma Body Builder Celebrates Her 86th Birthday

So what is the source of Dewi’s youthful looks and energy?

As she explained to the China Press, it is thanks to exercise, a healthy diet, and a positive attitude [2]. The 53 year old grandma says that she has always loved sports. When she was younger, she enjoyed swimming and badminton, but now she prefers aerobics or Zumba. She also says that being happy and spending time with loved ones is an important factor in maintaining youthfulness [3].

The Keys to Healthy Aging?

Dewi is not the only 53 year old grandma amazing the world with her youthful looks. There are others out there, like Yazemeenah Rossi, who seem to defy the hands of time. Of course, not all of us will look like we’re in our twenties thirty years from now. That being said, there are many simple things you can do to maintain your youth, and age gracefully. Luckily, none of these things involve invasive surgeries or costly creams or treatments. The keys to healthy aging are:

Read: 3 Robbers Thought Elderly Grandma Was An Easy Target, But She Bravely Fought Them Off

Exercise 

Whether you like it or not, regular physical activity is one of the most important ways you can maintain youth, and stay healthy as you age. There are countless studies showing that people who exercise live longer, and maintain their quality of life long after their peers’ health begins to deteriorate.

Regular exercise can reduce your risk for developing diseases and disabilities, can reduce your risk of falls, and help you to maintain mobility. It can also prevent arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Luckily, staying active doesn’t have to involve grueling sessions on the treadmill. Everyday activities like gardening, walking the dog, or choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator can contribute to your daily movement quotient. Basically, the idea is to sit less and move more [4].

Read: 92-Year-Old Grandma and Grandson Are On a Mission to Visit Every US National Park

Bodyweight and Shape

It is normal to put on some weight as you age. That being said, being overweight or obese can cause a number of health problems. As you get older, not only is it important to maintain a healthy weight, but also a healthy body composition.

Specifically, that means your fat-to-muscle ratio, as well as where your fat is located on your body. Doctors consider a “pear” shape, for example, to be healthier than an “apple” shape. This is because with the apple shape, you are holding more fat around your vital organs, and thus you are at a higher risk for health complications [4].

Being skinnier, on the other hand, is not necessarily better either. In fact, older adults with a BMI less than 19 have a higher mortality rate than those who are obese or who have a normal weight [5]. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

If you want to be a 53 year old grandma who looks like she’s in her thirties, you can’t neglect your diet. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that eating a diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and other healthy foods helps you maintain a healthy body weight and shape as you age [6].

Additionally, eating a healthy diet will provide your body with the micronutrients it needs to stay healthy. These will keep your immune system strong to prevent disease and maintain the function of your vital organs. It can also help prevent age-related conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis [4].

Read: ‘He Wants Me, Not My House’: 82-Year-Old Grandma Marries 36-Year-Old Lover, Defends Their Love

Have Fun

Like 53 year old grandma Dewi said, enjoying life, being happy, and spending time with loved ones is a key part of staying youthful. People who regularly engage in their favorite leisure activities and who spend time socializing report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of depression.

In fact, one study linked leisure activities like reading, dancing, playing board games, or playing musical instruments to a lower risk of dementia [7]. Spending time with loved ones, volunteering, or engaging in a hobby are all great ways to add some meaning and purpose to your life, which in turn makes you happy. Being happy, in turn, keeps you healthy.

The Bottom Line

Not all of us are going to look like Dewi, the 53 year old grandma. That being said, we can all take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally so that we can age gracefully. 

Doing so may not turn back the clock for you, but it can help you enjoy your later years to their fullest potential.

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