A 63-year-old woman has shared her secret when it comes to defying time, as she dubs it "aging backward".
Whether we like it or not, aging is something that happens to us all and unless you've discovered the fountain of youth or are Salma Hayek, there isn't anything we can do to stop it.
One thing that we do have power over, however, is our appearance as we grow older. So what if there was a way to maintain our youthful looks?
A 63-year-old California fitness guru, Gym Tan - known as @californiaistoocasual on TikTok - has recently revealed her secrets to her youthful appearance, as she admits she feels better than when she was in her 20s. In fact, in a recent video, she even revealed that she looks younger now than she did last year, saying: "It’s my birthday today and I’m 63. I said before that I actually think I look younger this year than I did last year.
“I think what is keeping me looking younger is not thinking about my age."
Gym revealed that she believes that she looks younger than last year, and the one key ingredient might come as a surprise.
According to Gym, it all comes down to maintaining a positive outlook on life and never obsessing about your age.
She said: "Age is just a number. I have said it before, but more than that, just focus on what makes you happy. Focus on what makes you feel good."
Emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who appreciate and love you and who can also teach you different aspects of life, Gym radiated positivity.
With a TikTok following of around 247,000, Gym has consistently maintained that the best is yet to come as she ventures further into her 60s. At the age of 61, she posted a video joyfully running along a street, sporting a grin from ear to ear.
In the video, which garnered nearly 150,000 likes, the fitness enthusiast revealed that she was in "the fittest and best shape" of her life, adding: "I'm running further and stronger than in my 20s."
She encouraged her fans not to fear aging but to embrace it, stressing that life "really can and does get better."
Many of Gym's fans have commented on how inspirational they find her content, with one person sharing: "I am 42, and I think of you every time I run."
Another expressed: "I can't tell you how happy I am to have stumbled on your page! I need to show my mom ASAP in hopes it'll encourage her and lift her spirits!"
Despite her urging not to fear getting older, Gym confessed that she once shared those worries. She admitted that as she journeyed through her fifties, she too felt there was "an expiration date" where she would "become almost invisible."
However, her outlook changed as she turned 60 and 61, realizing that there was nothing to fear about aging.
Another who has weighed in on the conversation of staying young is none other than Cher.
Earlier this month the icon appeared on Good Morning Britain, where she said: "I remember when my friend Paulette and I were talking about when we were going to cut our hair and stop wearing jeans. I can't believe I will be 80 at some point, sooner than I wish. And I will still be wearing my jeans and I will still be wearing long hair."
"Genes in my family are pretty amazing," the 'Believe' singer added. Cher also discussed how her views on aging are not just skin deep.
"I'm not trying to feel young, I'm not trying to be young, I am what I am, whatever that means," she added.
