Surefire ways to look older before your time

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Sep 5th 2007 3:07PM

Categories: Fitness

If you think aging gracefully is over-rated, that leathery skin is to die for, that good health is for chumps and that sagging, wrinkly skin is but a far-off dream, here are some tips on how to look older before your time, courtesy of Face Natural:

Do illegal drugs and drink lots and lots of alcohol
Don't exercise
Smoke cigarettes, or really, anything
Eat only refined, processed foods
Trust everything the ads tell you, and don't do an ounce of your own research
Go out in the sun without sunscreen, or better yet, get a tanning bed!
Drink only sugary, caffeinated drinks like soda. Avoid water
Trade sleep in for wild parties whenever possible

However, if you're like the rest of us and want to look good for your age, do the opposite of all of these, and of course, keep reading for daily health tips.

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Comments (121)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

ESK 9-05-2007 @ 5:15PM

Yeah! Trade in living life for being a good looking old person full of regret.

Sweet advice!

eva carter 9-16-2007 @ 12:18PM

How could you possibly regret not doing any of this things. Why would you do any of those things anyway??? I guess im not getting old fast, Ive never done anything on that list.

pderoo1 9-10-2007 @ 2:37PM

Full of regret??? Not everybody needs to abuse their bodies in order to feel fulfilled, dude.

Denise 9-10-2007 @ 2:27PM

Now that old age is starting to hit me!! I wish someone had told me how important taking care of your body is, GETTING OLD IS NOT FOR SISSYS!!! It's full of aches and pains. One day you wake up not feeling quite right and you think a good night's sleep and I'll feel better, well that good night's sleep doesn't cure you like it used to. Be Good to your body.

Candi 9-10-2007 @ 2:31PM

Hey, I have no problem with doing some of these things sometimes, like having a party every once in a while, or drinking some soda.

What they're telling you is that to look young, you have to be responsible for your body and your actions, and that everything you do affects your body's appearance.

Plus, I don't think a little exercise and some self control ever hurt anyone.

Molly 9-10-2007 @ 2:31PM

Wow! Do I agree with sweet advice!! Ya gotta live a little!
MODERATION...is the key

Molly

connie concon 9-10-2007 @ 2:30PM

nice comment!

linda 9-10-2007 @ 2:36PM

YAWN!!! what a boring article!! what a boring life it suggests!

Rob 9-10-2007 @ 2:41PM

I agree 100% with ESK.You gotta live life.

NoCanDo 9-10-2007 @ 3:03PM

It looks like the line is drawn in the sand, now don't it?

mariday1 9-10-2007 @ 3:08PM

I will be 61 on Friday. I smoke and eat what I want to eat. I do exercise (moderately). Many people cannot believe I am on the plus side of 60. I am not overweight, and my recent physical says I am healthy. Why should I change my habits now? As I have always said "live as if every day was your last, you don't get out of it alive anyhow".

jim 9-10-2007 @ 3:08PM

I just love crock journalism. Martha, were you elected as the person who knows all about "the rest of us" or are you self apointed to this position? Do you think you look good for your age? Was there a survey? Is your entire opinion of yourself wrapped around how you think you look on the outside? Do you really think it matters if you smoke a few butts a day or drink a glass or two of wine? Slap some more mositurizer on you'll be fine!

David 9-10-2007 @ 3:31PM

"Do illegal drugs". Because we know legal drugs are perfectly harmless. Our government wouldn't mislead us in the name of profit!

dkera9@aol.com 9-10-2007 @ 3:30PM

it is better to err on the side of caution, its not much fun seeing life from a hospital bed I am 69 and most people i know my age are taking drugs and have some kind of malady brought on by lifestyle. disease does not come without cause.

dkera9@aol.com 9-10-2007 @ 3:31PM

disease does not come without cause. caveat emptor

Industrialmetalfreeeeek 9-10-2007 @ 3:42PM

They forgot to mention stress in the article. Worrying and stressing out about everything will make you look old faster than anything.

jimmyb 9-10-2007 @ 3:43PM

How do any of you define "living life?"

I'm 50 years old, and, oddly enough, none of my friends are saying, "Gee, I wish I'd drank more when I was younger."

barbara 9-10-2007 @ 3:45PM

please stop with this tanning scare. everyone looks better with a tan and if everyone did listen to your lame butt and do their own research they would see that tanning beds DO NOT cause cancer or speed up aging. You can't prove tanning beds causes skin damage, because there is no scientific study with those conclusive studies. But if you can, I'll give you $50,000 cash. Remember information is coming from DOCTORES who once said SMOKING was GOOD FOR YOU.

Bobby da Bone 9-10-2007 @ 4:26PM

Well, I agree with everything except the beer part! I love beer it makes me see all other people the right way. You can drink 12 to 15 beers and those that don't take care of themselves look good. Plus you can really clear yourself out the next morning.

tony 9-10-2007 @ 4:02PM

i also turned 60 this past month.
I smoke,[mom is 89 and still smokes
and hasn't been in a hospital since she gave birth to me] I also eat what I want when I want, drink occasionally.
I have 120/80 blood pressure, 165 cholesteral, lungs are fine so far and get a physical every year.
I'll be damned if I am going to freak out every week with the latest scare and fall for all the "this is no good for u" stuff.
I firmly believe that good genes play the biggest part of your health and longevity and moderation in everything you do is more important than what the scare mongers preach.
I live my life MY WAY and not the way society thinks you should.
If I had to count calories, salt/sugar percentages , this that and the other everytime I want to put something in my mouth I would shoot myself.
No one lives forever but I think so many people think they will as long as they follow like sheep everything they read..
enjoy life and don't buy into every scare you read..
btw:
mom's doctor told her she has the blood pressure of a teenager at 89..