Lifestyle
With her youthful, glowing skin, lustrous blonde hair, and muscular athletic figure, it's no wonder people are shocked when Nikki Ellis reveals her real age.
The mother of two, who lives in Melbourne, says strangers sometimes think she's in her early 30s, and sometimes her late 20s.
But the wild truth is that she's actually not years, but decades older than most people guess.
“I'm getting ready to celebrate my 58th birthday this year,” the personal trainer told news.com.au.
“Most people think I'm in my early 30s. I used to be 29.
“When I look at pictures of myself at that age, it's strange to see how much older I look at 30 years old than I do now.
“People are so shocked when I tell them how old I am.
“I met a woman this morning who almost fell off her chair, but kept coming back to the same topic and confirming that she was 57 years old. I was so happy.”
Nicki, who owns Cinch Transformation Studio in Melbourne's north-east, has always had an interest in health and fitness, which she feels has helped her maintain her impressive physique.
Her passion for staying active stemmed from childhood. Her father was an athlete and her mother battled chronic illness. This made her realize the importance of taking care of her health.
She was an avid aerobics fan in the 1980s, but looking back, you can see that she was constantly tired from doing so much cardio.
Now, she feels and looks younger than ever because she focuses on weightlifting and strength building.
“I've always been aware of the importance of being healthy growing up, and how grateful I am to have a body that can move,” she said.
“Not everyone is so lucky. There were definitely times when I didn't train, and times when I was obsessed with aerobics.
“I feel younger now than I did back then because my diet is unbalanced and my body gets tired from doing aerobic exercise.
“The measure of how young I feel is how energetic I am. It's whether I feel like jumping out of bed in the morning, how happy I am, whether my brain is foggy, whether I can run to the tram. Please, and of course, if you can lift something very heavy.”
A typical day for Nikki is to wake up before sunrise, teach a few strength training and spin classes, then have coffee and breakfast.
She typically strength trains four to five days a week and walks her dog every afternoon. This will help her reach her goal of 10,000 steps a day.
Although Ellis doesn't follow a specific diet, she does her best to keep a healthy and balanced diet.
“My training is very muscle-centric, which means I prioritize weight training over other exercise methods,” she said.
“I avoid sitting for long periods of time and follow the classic rule of thumb of 10,000 steps a day. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but that's the goal.
“I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and aim to get 100g of protein every day. I like to eat whole grains and healthy fats.
“My goal is to eat in a way that allows me to stay healthy for as long as possible without feeling restricted in any way. I want to be energized, feel full, and enjoy eating.”
Her top tips for maintaining a youthful appearance are very simple, but some people find them difficult to remember and implement.
In addition to weight training, drinking lots of water, and eating a balanced diet, Nikki doesn't drink alcohol, which she credits with helping her maintain her youthful appearance.
She also diligently applies sunscreen and reapplies it throughout the day. She also wears a large hat to protect her skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Ellis also believes in the importance of mental health and spends the day meditating, listening to music, and writing in a journal.
She also takes pride in taking care of her skin.
“I love getting regular facials, either professionally or at home,” she says.
“I also avoid alcohol and drink lots of water. I wear sunscreen and wear a hat to protect myself from the sun.
“If you love to travel, always plan a trip. It's something that gives you fun.
“It's also really important to stay happy and surround yourself with people who love you and laugh with you.
“I love being outside and being with nature. No music, just you and nature. It feels calming.”
While she says it can be scary for women, especially older women, to gain the confidence to start or return to fitness, she has tips for those who want to start a healthier lifestyle. He taught me a few things.
“If you can, find a place where you feel comfortable,” she said.
“Some public gyms still don't make people feel very welcome, whether they're young people, women or older people, and they can be very intimidating.
“So go to a few gyms, take a tour, ask questions and see how you feel.
“Many gyms offer programs for older adults, but remember that you want to build strength and maintain or build muscle. Look for a studio that is lifting.”
Ellis' final tip for looking younger was very simple.
“Be kind! Nothing makes you feel better than a random act of kindness,” she smiled.
“We're confident it will help us look and feel forever young.”
Nicki's tips for looking younger
1. Lift weights
2. Eat a nutritious diet
3. Have fun and love others
4. Wear sunscreen every day
5. Walk as much as possible
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