What’s the skincare secret to looking younger than your age? Some women swear by skincare products, from day and night creams to serum boosters and glow gels. They all promise anti-aging benefits like reducing or eliminating fine lines and wrinkles, firming the skin, deeply hydrating, improving skin elasticity and protecting it from the sun.
Other women say that the fountain of youth is not found in any beauty product. To look decades younger, you have to work hard in the gym, and there is no exercise more effective in “turning back” the years than lifting weights.
the BDLife We spoke to three fitness enthusiasts who turn heads whenever they walk into a room. They share their anti-aging secrets with weightlifting.
Farah Ismail, 51
Farah Ismail trains at the gym in Miami, USA.
“I don’t understand the craze for anti-aging face creams. What about the rest of your skin, which is the largest organ on your body? Or are anti-aging face creams just for your face?” Farah Ismail asks.
The corporate lawyer celebrated her 51st birthday a month ago. But she looks at least 14 years younger.
“Protein and muscle are the key ingredients to anti-aging and longevity. You can’t build muscle without lifting weights. That’s why I’m urging more women to lift weights. It’s the perfect anti-aging recipe, not creams and gels,” she says firmly.
Farah, who is also a fitness researcher, points out that Kenyan women have been made to believe that they will “become” like men if they lift weights.
“The problem we have is when people make these kinds of statements. It discourages women from wanting to lift weights. It’s unfortunate because there’s so much science now that’s no longer focused on weight loss but on muscle gain and its anti-aging effects,” says Farah.
“Scientific research shows that muscle stimulates the release of certain hormones into the bloodstream, which slows down the aging process even as you get older,” she adds. “So when you ask women to do a lot of cardio and little or no weight lifting, that’s the biggest disservice you can do to them.”
Her insistence on weightlifting is also linked to the scientific discovery of a condition called muscle wasting.
“As we age, we lose muscle, a condition known as adiposity, and lifting weights and eating protein to build muscle is crucial to longevity and anti-aging. This is the knowledge I want women to absorb,” she says.
Since 2014, Farah has been competing in natural bodybuilding. She is a three-time national champion in the women’s physique category at the Miss Kenya Bikini pageant.
“I don’t encourage women to practice bodybuilding because it is a dangerous sport, requires a lot of effort, requires hard work and depends on personal decision. But what I emphasize is that women should do more weightlifting exercises instead of cardiovascular exercises,” says Farah.
Victoria Robadiri, 38
Victoria Rubadiri, a prominent television personality.
Image source: Swimming pool
Victoria Robadiri, a prominent TV personality, agrees with Farah’s sentiments. She says exercise is “non-negotiable” if you want to slow down aging.
For the past eight years or so, Victoria has been incorporating a lot of strength and resistance training into her training program.
“We are in an era where staying young and vibrant is very important, especially for women over 35. What prompted me to start my fitness journey was a health scare in 2016. After realizing how fragile my body was, I wanted to get better, get stronger and fitter, and weights were helpful,” says the CNN correspondent.
While she agrees that weight training greatly impacts a person’s aesthetic appearance, she believes there is more to be gained from strength training.
“Of course, you want to look good, and weights will help you achieve your goal of getting a perfect body, but I also want to feel good and strong, especially at my advanced age,” she says.
Although she strongly encourages weight training, Vicki says it’s okay to indulge in options if lifting isn’t your thing.
“Exercise is the fountain of youth. You see people resorting to different measures, but for me, it’s good to keep it as natural as possible. Keep your body moving no matter what, it could be a walk in the evening, keep your body moving because through exercise, you are healing your body from the inside. Couple that with good food and you’ll hit the jackpot.”
Vicky’s workout program combines cardio and weight training with an emphasis on strength training.
“I run and lift weights at the same time. I love running because it frees the mind and allows me to interact with nature. Then I lift weights because it helps build muscle and strength, and as I said, for women over 35, you have to build muscle in preparation for the next stage of your life so that you can do what you were able to do in your 20s. You have to lift weights, there’s no excuse for that.”
Anne Marie, 52
Fitness enthusiast Anne Marie performs squats with rowing at HIITZONE gym, Nairobi on July 7, 2023. Photo | BONFACE BOGITA | NMG
Anne Marie has been active almost her entire life, and the rewards are there to be seen. Even in her 50s, the businesswoman still has a youthful appearance.
“I learned firsthand that taking care of your body means taking care of you,” she says.
Over the years, Anne-Marie has discovered that the secret to staying young is staying active. Although she loves lifting weights, she realizes that she goes through a plateau (when her condition doesn’t improve and her workouts don’t become easy).
“I never stop exercising because I vary and change my exercise activities regularly,” she says.
Her workouts involve a lot of activities. She loves the gym as much as she loves the dance floor, where she sways to kizomba, bachata and salsa. But what she doesn’t like so much is running.
However, Anne-Marie points out that the most important aspect for her is not aesthetics but “the results of annual health and fitness tests.”