Q: What is your #1 tip for aging gracefully?

A: BALANCE and CONSISTENCY. I know this is something we all know but it isn’t always easy to do. Stay active, eat well but enjoy, be consistent with skincare. And don’t forget your mind!! Be good to yourself… be gentle and your mind will thank you by being peaceful. 

Q: What are your healthy eating habits?

A: My two rules I follow… Big salad everyday, be mindful and don’t eat beyond feeling full. I started a vegetarian diet when I was seventeen, many years ago!! I did it because I love animals so much. After adopting this lifestyle I noticed how much better I felt and looked. A testament to the term good health starts from the inside. This is also when I learned how to listen to my body. I’ve not stayed true to a completely vegetarian or vegan diet but mostly plant based. I have four children and each time I was pregnant I ate a bit more fish, chicken and very occasionally red meat. But I really had to trick my mind in order to eat it. It’s a struggle for the animal lover in me. It all goes back to balance. If I’m craving something, I’ve found that I should just have whatever it is I’m craving, because in the end I’ll eat it anyway after trying to satisfy it with other things. 

~ Water: I drink water daily I don’t keep track but always have water with me throughout the day.

~Supplements: I don’t love taking supplements because I find it can be overwhelming but I do have my favorites that I’ve taken for years - flax oil, collagen, Biosil and/or biotin, vitamin D, probiotics. I listen to my body, if I feel I need to add vitamin C or something else then I will. Sometimes I’ll make a smoothie with essential greens that helps get everything in without taking a pill or capsule.

~TIP: I drink Aloe Vera for healing gut health and I’ve found it works great for me. A very easy and accessible luxury that I love is keeping an aloe leaf in my refrigerator - I’ll cut it open and rub all over my face and body. It’s so good for you inside and out!

Q: What is your exercise routine?

A: I’ve always been active, I played tennis throughout my years. I was also an avid runner until I took the advice of my dermatologist to find a new activity. It made sense as he told me that not only is the running bad for my skin but also for my internal organs. As we age we always focus on the outside but the inside starts to fall too! I now enjoy things that are just as effective but more gentle on my body. Fortunately I’ve been practicing yoga for a very long time, I love Pilates as well. I’m a big believer in weight and resistance training to maintain muscle, if you don’t use it, you do lose it! I get bored so I’m always mixing it up but consistent. Some type of movement everyday is what keeps me sane and feeling my best in body and mind.  

You can follow Jerri on Instagram  here @jlflynn01