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​Glamorous Gran Reveals Age-Defying Secrets

​Glamorous Gran Reveals Age-Defying Secrets

She attributes her youthful appearance, glowing skin and toned physique to being as 'natural' as possible

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A glamorous grandmother who looks half her age has revealed the secret behind her youthful looks, and it's probably not what you were expecting.

Mum-of-four and gran-of-one, Gina Stewart, has said that the reason why she looks much younger than her age is because she doesn't drink out of plastic bottles and never eats from plastic Tupperware.

The 47-year-old from the Gold Coast in Australia has even beaten scores of much younger women in the 'Miss Maxim' contest - managing to make it through to the semi-finals of the modelling competition to be placed 12th overall from 10,000 people.

Gina says she's often mistaken for someone half her age, and attributes her youthful appearance, glowing skin and toned physique to being as 'natural' as possible.

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Gina, who is mum to James, 27, Casey, 25, Cody, 22 and Summer, 4 and is grandmother to James' 10-month-old daughter, said: "Being as natural as I can, inside and out, is what I believe has kept me looking so young.

"I stay away from all forms of plastic as much as I possibly can.

"I will never drink out of a plastic water bottle or eat out of plastic Tupperware contains because of all the chemicals.

"I won't ever use plastic wrap to cover up my food either. It's not good for you.

"All plastics affect our hormones which lead to infertility, cancers, hormone imbalances and all sorts of things.

"Its common sense that chemicals do not belong in our bodies.

"While it is impossible to avoid all chemicals, I'm learning to eliminate them as much as possible.

"It can be easy to look after yourself as naturally as possible by eating plant-based products and foods that are inexpensive."

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Gina says it's all about opting for plant-based natural food, beauty products and medicines - having eradicated all pharmaceuticals from her life six years ago, after spending 16 years on a 'potent cocktail' of anti-depressants and anxiety medication.

Not the only supplement she takes daily is Moringa extract, which is a herb from a tree native to the Himilayas, and also uses organic rosehip and coconut oil for her face, body and hair, along with all-natural toothpaste and deodorant.

"I've also never drank coffee my entire life," she continued.

"My mother always told me it was bad for you, and it was probably the only advice I've ever taken from her.

"I stay away from all kinds of alcohol, and I don't smoke.

"I also try and have at least two or three litres of alkaline water a day, but I avoid tap water.

"I only eat organic fruits and vegetables, and I stay away from all packaged and processed food.

"I eat hormone-free white meat, and try to avoid red meat.

"I eat eggs and avocados everyday as they're just so healthy, but I keep away from sugar as much as possible as well as bread, pasta and potatoes.

"I try to keep at a healthy weight, and I work out at the gym for just 10-20 minutes four times a week to stay healthy and toned, just doing some weights and very light cardio.

"Curves are sexy, and I think once women become too thin or too muscly, they lose their softness and it ages them very quickly because they lose the youthful plumpness from their face."

Gina, who had breast implants in 2007, claims that she has only had Botox and fillers twice, but that the effects have since worn off.

She says that since banning chemicals from her life, she's managed to shed a whopping 15kg (2st 5lbs) - although that's not to say she doesn't allow herself the occasional treat.

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Gina added: "Chocolate is my weakness so I don't deny myself of this, and I'll have a small chocolate almost every day. I will let myself pig out once a month.

"I avoid alcohol, but on special occasions I'll have a glass of red wine.

"With skincare, I was using all these expensive, brand-name products that were packed full of different ingredients that promised to make me look amazing.

"But it wasn't making any difference, and in fact, they often made my skin break out and become irritated.

"I decided to try the natural route and it's been so much better for my skin and my pocket.

"It's made a huge difference, and people always tell me that my skin is fresh and glowing.

"When I was on all those different medications, I looked absolutely terrible.

"My face was all distorted, my eyes looked strange, my skin was awful, and I was constantly bloated.

"Now I feel energetic, happy and alive - and I look so much better now than I did twenty years ago."

Featured Image Credit: StoryTrender

Topics: Interesting, Community