A few nights ago, a woman I did not know introduced herself and then told me she just wanted to let me know that she did not believe I was as old as I say.
Such comments/compliments are commonplace. I remember one morning while being examined, the doctor saying he wanted to ask me something. I instantly tensed up assuming he had diagnosed something serious.
However, after assuring me that I was good to go, he said he wanted know how come I looked almost as young as he did in spite of the fact that I had been a schoolmate of his own father.
And wherever I go people want to know what’s my secret. Do I use a special diet? Do I get facelifts? Do I use Botox?
I always respond that I have no secret, and attribute my looks to my inherited genes, although the doctor in question dismissed that as being no reason at all and suggested, instead, that it had more to do with the “luck of the draw”.
Nevertheless, after years of denying it, today I am admitting publicly for the first time that I do indeed have a secret: one that I have never revealed for fear that I might be considered even crazier than I already am.
My secret is exercise, but not your regular muscle-building or cardiovascular exercise like lifting weights, working out on machines, running, walking and riding, jogging, push-ups and such.
About 40 years ago, when I started looking at my face in the mirror and worrying about how I would look as I grew older, I came across an article in Reader’s Digest with the headline Exercise Your Face Muscles And Never Look Old.
The article explained that the human face has ten muscle groups comprising about 52 different muscles, and recommended exercises that would “keep the face in shape” by toning and strengthening those muscles. They would reduce such signs of aging as bags under the eyes, droopy eyelids, wrinkles, crow feet, frown lines, chubby cheeks, double chins, jowls and dull skin tone.
The exercises would also improve blood circulation in the face and neck, detoxify facial tissues, stimulate the lymphatic system to remove toxins and excess fluid. Overtime, this would all result in clearer skin, smoother skin and a healthy glowing complexion.
Well, I have been doing the recommended exercises for the past 40 years. For example, to relax the muscles, increase circulation and relieve any tension and stress, I open my lips as wide as they can go, stretching my cheeks, chin, and lips for a few seconds then releasing and repeating.
Similarly, I keep my eyes closed while lifting my eyebrows and stretching my eyelids down as far as possible for a few seconds then relaxing and repeating a few times. For the forehead, I lift my eyebrows as high as possible, with my eyes open very wide, then relax and repeat several times.
Facial exercises are no longer a secret, becoming the new in-thing worldwide for men and women all ages. Just go on your computer and Google “facial” or “face exercises”.