Stay younger longer, invert the size-zero trend?

We're taking a cue from Nigella Lawson, who says that if she were to lose 20 kilos, she'd look 10 years older. Why losing weight might not be the best way for you to look years younger. Plus, nine more tips that can take a decade off your appearance

TV chef Nigella Lawson

'Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are famous preservers of youthful looks', claimed British novelist Charles Dickens. TV chef Nigella Lawson would agree. In a recent interview with an Australian magazine, the 'domestic goddess' famed as much for her luscious curves as for her casual approach to cooking, was quoted as saying that she "could never deprive" herself, given her love for food and cooking. Never mind those recent unflattering photographs of Lawson in a burkini on Bondi Beach, in Australia, floating around, the 51-year-old went on to add that losing 20 kilos would "straightaway" age her by 10 years.

So, if Nigella's skin and curvy body are indications of staying younger longer, are we slowly witnessing a trend against the size-zero culture? Perhaps. But going the other extreme towards obesity is unlikely to be the answer to youthfulness either. "20 per cent of the Indian youth suffers from diabetes and metabolic syndrome," says Dr Samrat Shah, consultant at Cumballa Hill Hospital. Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the risk for Type II Diabetes, stroke and coronary artery disease.

Have a Rainbow on your plate
Staying younger longer is a wholistic process that has its roots in sound nutrition. Even if you are keeping your weight in check, you still need to ensure that you are eating the right foods to ensure you're getting adequate nutrients from your diet. A good way to ensure this is to incorporate lots of bright colours on to your plate: greens, yellows, reds and even purple (brinjal is a great "super" food, bursting with antioxidants).
Eating foods rich in antioxidants (almonds, sweet potatoes) and "fat-burning foods" or complex carbohydrates, including fresh fruits and veggies go a long way in making you look younger and feeling fabulous, since metabolism slows down with ageing, and as a result the body burns fewer calories. Experts advise steering clear of processed foods, which are foods that have been altered from their natural state, either for convenience or safety reasons. Examples include foods that have been canned, frozen, dehydrated and even refrigerated. These include chips, cookie, breakfast cereals, pastas made with refined white flour and processed meats.
A good way to avoid bingeing is to opt for 'natural appetite suppressants' before a meal. Tips include drinking two glasses of water at least half an hour before a meal, eating fibre-rich foods (lentils, wholewheat pasta, lentils), eating fresh salads and soups. Eating slowly also goes a long way, as does portion control: Understanding portion size and approximate calories per recommended serving.

Make time for your skin
Go for a facial every six months, regardless of gender. Opt for an anti-ageing facial routine, using organic and natural skincare products. Using chemical products can, in the long-term, cause skin to age. Facial masks made from fresh fruits and veggies can also help rid wrinkles. Use a sunscreen regularly and avoid going out in the sun, when it is at its harshest, typically between 10 am and 2 pm.

Schedule 'me' time
Making the time to do things that make you happy can take years off your appearance. Remember, the more you frown, the more wrinkles you will get. Happiness is all about being in a positive frame of mind, as negative thinking will make you look and feel older

Get enough sleep
Adequate sleep is the cure for several ailments. During sleep, the body produces melatonin, a natural compound that keeps the skin young. Few things can age you overnight, like lack of sleep: Eyes get puffy, skin looks dull and facial skin looks saggy.

Drink your minerals
You know you need to drink eight glasses of water a day, but this is still one of the most basic mantras to healthy living that is often ignored. Water contains minerals and nutrients that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. "It is important to keep your skin and body properly hydrated. Water maintains the elasticity of the skin and prevents wrinkling. Hydration helps maintain the tensile (elastic) strength of the skin," says Dr Shatish Bhatia, MD (dermatology), skin and skin surgery, Lady Ratan Tata Research Centre.

Work it
Aesthetic and plastic surgeon Dr Meenakshi Agarwal recommends yoga. "If you have the patience to do it regularly, yoga keeps the whole body young both inside and outside," she says. Yoga trainer Yogesh Chavan agrees and recommends the Kapalbhati Pranayam, a breathing exercise, which cleans the lungs by encouraging the body to consume more oxygen. "It helps increase body temperature and burn fat," he says. Even while breathing regularly, it helps to remember that your stomach should expand when inhaling and become flat when exhaling.

Say no to cigarettes
Says Dr Bhatia, "Smoking reduces the elastic fibres, causing wrinkles around your eyes and lips." Scientific studies have shown that smoking releases trillions of free radicals, which are harmful to skin. Free radicals kill cells at any stage of their development. They also constrict capillaries in the face, causing skin to look pale.

Go, detox
Colon cleansing is a good way to detox the body of accumulated toxins and waste, the by-products of living in the city and of stressful living. If you'd rather not make the trip to the doctor, drinking a glass of warm (not hot) water with a squeeze of lime and a little honey, first thing in the morning, is a good way to clean the system.

Watch what you eat
According to Dr Manish Motwani, Laproscopic & General Surgeon, Aastha Health Care, obesity is the root of all problems. "Because of obesity, our bone age and metabolic age is always higher than our real age. This means, our body becomes more aged than what we actually are," he says.

Makeover time
For women, side-swept bangs and hair no longer than the shoulders can take off years. Steer clear of brown lipstick shades. Avoid matte lipstick, as they tend to settle into your lip lines. Opt for creamier lipsticks or gloss. Gloss especially, makes lips appear 'bee-stung' or fuller and therefore more youthful.

3 curvaceous beauties (over 35) that we can't get enough of

Eva Mendes, 37
Known more for her raunchy campaigns than her movie roles, there's no escaping from the charms of the sexier (did we hear anyone say Longoria!) and rumouredly nicer Eva.

Kate Winslet, 35
She first captured our imagination with her portrayal of the fragile Rose in the box office hit Titanic. The demure Winslet continues to win our hearts with stellar performances in films like The Reader. She is also the youngest person to have six Academy Award nominations to her credit.

Salma Hayek, 44
The curvy Mexican actress first shot to worldwide fame with her role as the talented and conflicted painter Frida Kahlo in Frida.