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Fearsomely fit female celebs over 40
- Thread starter jw5
- Start date
Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley is famous for her envy-inducing physique, but insists she isn't a slave to the gym. Instead, she says, she maintains an active lifestyle, eats clean, and throws a few squats, planks, and arm exercises into her day when she gets a spare moment.
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian looks so youthful that it's easy to forget she's in her forties. The fit mama-of-three uses resistance bands to help get her butt in shape without bulking; gets regular core work in; and enjoys boxing workouts. Personal trainers and workout buddies help keep her motivated.
The original '90s supermodel squad
The statuesque supermodels of the 1990s look as good now as they did at the height of their careers. Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Helena Christensen rocked the runway at Milan Fashion Week 2018. Incredible genetics and intense workouts keep them looking insanely good. Crawford, by the way, enjoys a combination of cardio and strength training.
Where is Salma Hayek?
All cannot compare to the Madonna
Wow!!!! U go GIRL!!!!!
8 Singapore celebs who are pushing 50 and proud to flaunt it
(Clockwise from left) Local celebrities Michelle Chia, Diana Ser and Constance Song. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MICHELLE CHIA, COURTESY OF DIANA SER, GIN TAY
Jeanmarie Tan
Senior Correspondent
Jan 8, 2022
SINGAPORE - Who are you calling a grandma? These body-confident local female celebrities in their mid-40s and beyond are kicking off 2022 by rising above ageism and defying expectations, the odds and the passing of time.
1. Cynthia Koh, 47
When Cynthia Koh went for a last-minute fitting a week before she was due to attend the Asian Academy Creative Awards on Dec 3, she was pleasantly surprised that she was able to squeeze into the blue Michael Kors cut-out gown held together by chains of circular rings that celebrity stylist Keith Png had picked out for her.After all, it was a US size 2 and she is usually a US size 4.
However, the actress felt less than confident when she first laid eyes on the now-famous dress that boasts a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.
She tells TheStraits Times: "It was beautiful and unique, not your conventional red-carpet gown. But I was thinking, 'Am I slim enough to carry it off? Can I even fit into it?'
"When I could, I felt like it was a celebratory gift."
She posted a picture of herself wearing it at the awards ceremony - where she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in popular local television series My Star Bride - on her Instagram account, which has 80,700 followers.
While most comments were positive, some netizens shamed her for trying to be sexy, questioning why she wore a revealing outfit even though she can be a grandmother at her age.
The Mediacorp artiste then made headlines when she clapped back at her haters on her Instagram story, writing: "If your grandmother is as hot and sexy and can carry the outfit well, please wear it."
She added that losing weight and maintaining her current figure takes a lot of "discipline and commitment".
She also encouraged all women to "flaunt it" if they have it.
"If you can look classy, still have all the great curves, don't hide them. They don't last forever. Milk it while it lasts."
PHOTOS: CYNTHIA KOH/INSTAGRAM, ADE LAU
The viral saga even landed Koh a spot on a Greek news show, with the female presenters saying she looked great and that the negative remarks were not warranted - something which she shared on her Instagram story.
Koh says she did not want to suffer ageism in silence.
"Because what's wrong? As a woman, why shouldn't I be dolling up and dressing beautifully? Also, an awards ceremony is a platform to showcase the best part of yourself.
"So I'm glad I stood up for myself against that form of cyber bullying, in a tongue-in-cheek manner."
She says her branding is "all about positivity" - which is why she also wants to use her platform to help motivate other women even more this year.
Her weight loss journey began in February last year, when she was 58kg at 1.6m tall. "The wake-up call was when I was going for pants in L size. I never hit L before and I felt lost."
She has adopted a low-GI (glycaemic index), calorie-deficit diet, sticking to 300-calorie meals, servings of quinoa and basmati rice, and snacking on apples, celery, egg whites and cucumber. She in-line skates once a week, and does BodyPump weight training and RPM indoor cycling twice a week. She also weighs herself daily on a Karada Scan scale that measures body mass index, visceral fat level and basal metabolic rate.
Her commitment has paid off and she is now a svelte 51kg.
Koh, who is not married and has no children, jokes that she is "reverse ageing" when it comes to work too. Around 2015 to 2017, she felt stereotyped playing "auntie roles" in her late 30s, but she has not been typecast in the last few years.
A casting director even remarked that she has been looking younger and younger, and she went from playing the mum to the aunt or elder sister.
Koh says: "To those who are battling hormonal changes or slow metabolism, or are pre-menopausal, there's still a chance. It's really never too late to take those baby steps towards living well.
"I just want to be fit and healthy in my old age so I can enjoy the things I love, like travelling and hiking. Your body is a vehicle that travels with you, so you have to take care of it."
2. Constance Song, 46
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
She gave birth to her second daughter 10 months ago at age 46, yet is game enough to pose in a bikini for a Straits Times photo shoot. But the mixed feelings will always be there for Constance Song.
The actress says half-jokingly, in reference to Cynthia Koh's viral Michael Kors dress post: "I'm scared people will comment, 'Can be grandmother already, still wear bikini?'"
But she is also quick to add: "But hey, I should be proud of myself that, at this age, I can still wear this. (American fashion designer) Vera Wang is in her 70s and she still looks young - she's my inspiration."
Back in 2012 at the Star Awards, Song had her own Cynthia Koh moment, when she raised eyebrows with her most revealing red-carpet gown to date - a peekaboo black number from Jiki with a sheer mesh front panel.
She says: "I've never regretted wearing it. It was nicely made and there was no wardrobe malfunction no matter how much I moved. But thank god there was no social media then, if not jialat (Hokkien for terrible). But now that you may republish it, I better prepare myself."
She admits that in her 20s, she found it hard to handle negative feedback.
In her mid-40s, she often ignores it. She says: "As an artiste and public figure, you have to accept it. No matter how good you are or look, there will be those who will pick on your flaws, so you can't please everyone."
Achieving her hot bod was no walk in the park for the 1.68m-tall artiste from Li Nanxing's talent management agency LNX Global.
Active, slim and toned throughout her adult life, Song - whose older daughter is four - hit 69kg during her second pregnancy.
But her post-childbirth weight of 58kg did not leave her in a good mental space and it was more difficult to lose the tummy fat.
She recalls: "I felt so unmotivated, tired and lousy about myself. Every picture I took, I felt I looked bad.
"I needed to seriously think about what's good for me. I could continue to go down the hill and let myself go, but I chose to get back up. Once you break through that mental block, you will be fine."
So, in June last year, she embarked on an intensive weight-loss programme with personal training gym Rizap, combining in-studio strength training and customised exercise routines, a nutrition plan and counselling that covers mental health and motivation.
Besides working out three times a week, she also swims once or twice a week at Tanah Merah Country Club.
She is now a fit and fab 51kg. The last time she hit this figure was when she was 21.
Even being called "auntie" has a different ring to it.
She says: "Now, I'm not upset because maybe you mean the prettier kind of auntie. But when I was bigger, I was sensitive to hearing that term.
"Recently, when I went to the market wearing a cap and mask, the uncle even called me xiao mei (little sister in Chinese) when I'm actually lao mei (old girl) already," she says with a laugh.
"Now, when I take photos, I don't need to tilt my body in a certain angle to look slim."
She hopes her makeover will open more doors for her to expand her repertoire into more character-driven parts.
"It hasn't happened yet, but if someone asks me to play a young grandmother, I'll be okay with it and I will embrace it."
But Song is not done when it comes to her 2022 body goals. She is aiming for a six-pack. "Maybe when I get it, I'll flaunt it on social media," she says.
But one thing is definitely not on the cards. "More kids? No way, I'm a senior citizen already."
3. Michelle Chia, 46
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MICHELLE CHIA
Upon seeing Cynthia Koh's Instagram post on her Michael Kors gown, Michelle Chia left her friend a message, raving about how "gorgeous" she looked and that the dress "fit her like a glove".
However, the host-actress was "very shocked" that some netizens disapproved of it and gave bad reviews.
Chia says: "I do see entertainment news on how people shame foreign stars from China or Hong Kong for how badly they've aged. Does that mean we have to be frozen in time?
"It's very important that women use our voices to support and uplift one another instead of tearing one another down. That's how we build confidence among ourselves and become stronger together."
Chia, who is not married and has no children, is blessed to have stayed the same weight for the past 20 years - 50kg at 1.64m tall - thanks to daily yoga sessions that help strengthen her core.
But during the pandemic, she found herself eating a lot more and gaining 2kg, prompting her to "take action" and wage war against the main culprit - sugar.
She started to forgo bread and cheese, but curbing her sweet tooth was more challenging. After all, she was someone who had to have dessert after every meal, could finish half a dozen cupcakes and ate two servings of ice cream at a go.
Putting her mind over matter, she bought sweet treats only once a month or every two months. Over time, she stopped overeating and half her former portions satisfied her. Even better, the adjustment helped improve her eczema and eliminate flare-ups and itch.
"Reduce your sugar intake, but not until the amount becomes unbearable, or your rebound will be serious and you'll start eating like there's no tomorrow."
Chia, who is a co-presenter on the live-streaming company and online social commerce platform Mdada four nights a week, also warns that sugar quite literally causes ageing by reacting with protein, creating advanced glycation end-products - substances that cause skin to be wrinkled and cell structures to harden.
She still indulges in fattening foods such as pork belly and Cantonese cuisine once in a while, but she advocates eating many small meals a day, eating only until you are 70 per cent full and eating slowly "so the brain has time to tell you to stop".
Chia, whose aspiration is to grow old gracefully, says: "I've never been someone who thinks about being middle-aged or getting old. I love blowing out birthday candles because I celebrate that I'm healthy and have gained wisdom and life experience every year. With conscious eating gaining ground, it's possible to live a longer life, into your 90s even. So, think about how the second half of your life has only just started."
4. Phyllis Quek, 48
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF PHYLLIS QUEK
When Phyllis Quek was younger, she did not put much thought into self-care.
But now, not a day goes by where she does not take proper care of herself.
The actress-host says: "Our bodies change when we age and people are going to see the imperfections, but that doesn't affect me. My body will always look exactly the way it is supposed to be."
She adds: "When I see some of my old photos, I laugh at how I used to look. Over the years, I've become much more aware of what works best for me. I'm happy with how I look now. Confidence is by far the most beautiful thing to have."
Citing Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman, 54, and American fashion influencer Lyn Slater, 68, as her beauty inspirations, Quek - who is married to an Australian businessman and has no children - feels "age is just a number and it's about time we all realise that".
She says: "As long as you have what it takes, go for it. There is no rule to stop you from looking hot and sexy when you get older.
"There's always going to be pressure to look good no matter what our age is. As a celebrity, I'd say it's my occupational hazard that pushes me to always take good care of myself."
All these years, she has always been comfortable with her body because she is at her ideal weight - 55kg on a 1.7m frame.
The Hype Records artiste works out at the gym at least five times a week, and enjoys activities such as walking, swimming, cycling and trekking.
She tries to maintain a balanced diet and cooks at home, cutting down on carbs and consuming plenty of greens, white meat and fruit.
"I love to eat quinoa, salmon, chicken, broccoli and avocado, but I can't say no to desserts. The only time I'll tell myself to enjoy and eat more is when I'm out with my friends or at social gatherings."
This year, her body goal is to tone up her abs and glutes. "Nothing can stop you if you set your mind to it. Always remember that when you look good, you feel good."
5. Diana Ser, 49
PHOTO: DIANA SER/INSTAGRAM
Diana Ser does not need social media to shame her. After all, her three children aged 15, 13 and 10 cast sassy judgment on what she wears on a regular basis.
The TV host says: "I don't worry about other people's expectations as the opinions of teens and a tween at home already keep me busy. Once, I wore kitten heels with denim shorts and my youngest looked at me and said, 'Heels and cut-offs? I don't think so.'"
Ser feels that once you put yourself out there on Instagram (where she has 83,800 followers), one should brace oneself for the heat. "I used to be taken aback. Why would you say things like that. One comment was, 'You're a try-hard, look at so-and-so - now that's natural', about someone 20 years younger. Even if you think you're strong-minded, you may go, 'Is this person right?'
"The lesson is, we should never rely on social media as the only feedback on ourselves.
"I tell my daughters, 'Before you want to judge or criticise an older woman, think of what you will look like when you are that age.'"
She feels flattered that most people compliment her by saying she "doesn't seem to have changed".
The petite 1.53m-tall presenter, who is married to former actor James Lye, has even managed to maintain her pre-pregnancy weight of 47kg.
She stays in shape by clocking at least 15,000 steps a day, as well as doing cardio exercises at the gym or park, and practising pilates at home three to four times a week.
She swears by oblique exercises to help define her waistline - she wears size 25 jeans - and is big on nutrition. "I don't subscribe to a win-win situation. I don't have my cake and eat it."
If she has a big breakfast, then she goes for lighter meals such as fish and vegetables for lunch and dinner. She has cut out red meat, chooses complex carbs and avoids processed foods. And if she is feeling peckish, she munches on grapes instead of chocolates.
A few years ago, she was "miserable" when she suffered from acne, so she reduced her sugar intake. For instance, instead of spreading kaya on her toast, she substituted it with olive oil. After a few months, she lost 2kg and her skin cleared up.
She believes in being an early sleeper and riser too, going to bed at 10pm and waking at 5am.
"I had my youngest child when I was 39, so I do have to keep healthy and keep my energy levels up," she adds.
Ser turns 50 in April, but has told her family not to throw her a big birthday celebration.
She says: "It's not that I'm embarrassed. I just want to do it quietly, like how I did 40. And before you know it, you've passed the milestone."
6. Chen Xiuhuan, 56
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHEN XIUHUAN
At 56, Chen Xiuhuan is feeling like her best self.
The Mediacorp actress sports everything from two-piece swimsuits to skin-baring activewear to low-cut and bare-back gowns. She posts photos of herself in these outfits on her Instagram account that attracts 69,000 followers.
Of Cynthia Koh's dress post, Chen says: "She worked hard for her body, so why not? At this age, if you are so well maintained, let people see. We are not purposely being sexy, but are projecting a healthy, classy image."
But Chen struggled with a bumpy journey towards regaining her confidence, as her life previously revolved around her family.
After quitting show business in the mid-1990s to get married and be a full-time housewife, she devoted 20 years to raising her three daughters, now aged 23, 21 and 17.
Four years ago, when her youngest child was in Secondary 1, she got the green light from her Taiwanese businessman husband to go on her first overseas trip to Taiwan with her celebrity girlfriends such as Zoe Tay and Hong Huifang in two decades.
Chen recalls: "I was so happy, it was like I was released from a cage and I felt like a young woman again. We went to the night market where I ate da chang (Chinese for pig intestines) and I had forgotten that was my favourite food, forgotten what were the things I liked for myself."
It was also during this period that she let go of mummy duties such as chauffeuring to make her acting comeback in movies and television dramas.
However, old back and hand injuries sustained from her early days of doing action roles resurfaced. "Now that I wanted to do my own things, suddenly all the aches and pains came back. I was shocked. I didn't want to be beaten by life."
At 1.68m tall and weighing more than 60kg, Chen admits that she felt weak and "looked quite terrible" as she had let herself go.
She decided to seek help to tone up and build muscle 11/2 years ago, by training under Mr Lim Yaoxiang, a retired national water polo player and coach at Grityard gym.
She felt "so bad" during her first lesson because she hurt her ribs doing weights.
She says: "Every time I went, I injured myself and had to rest for two weeks and go for TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) before resuming."
Her initial workouts made her feel like she was "dying", but she pushed past the pain and did not give up.
Now, on top of long-distance cycling, she hits the gym twice a week. She says: "My oldest daughter joined me for a session, but she had to stop halfway because it was too much for her, whereas I could carry on, which gave me such motivation and satisfaction."
Holiday feasting has taken her to 56kg currently, but she wants to achieve her ideal weight of 54kg.
Her breakfast usually consists of two eggs without the yolks, and sourdough bread if she exercises. Lunch is palm-size servings of green vegetables and protein, and she has her coffee and apples in between meals. Dinner comprises just vegetables - or she skips the meal altogether.
She wants to remind women her age not to stint on self-care even if they feel like they have turned into a "huang lian po" (Chinese for sallow-faced housewife)and especially when the children have grown up.
She adds: "It's important to realise that you have value, worth, a life and friends, and to stay healthy so that you don't trouble your kids or rely on them to take care of you when you are older."
And now that she is nailing her Instagram game, her daughters tell her she is "inspiring".
Chen says: "I'm vain and love dressing up, so there're nice photos of fashion. I also love to cook and share recipes. So I combine it all and it's very meaningful to me. You can still be beautiful and look good at whatever age - you can really do everything."
7. Ariati Tyeb Papar, 47
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ARIATI TYEB PAPAR
Ever since Ariati Tyeb Papar ballooned to 83kg during her first pregnancy, her weight-loss journey has been met varying levels of success despite years of dieting, exercising and slimming treatments.
Her New Year resolution is to hit the gym every weekday and eventually achieve her ideal weight of 56kg. She is 1.65m tall and currently weighs 60kg.
Just one week into her new workout routine involving the treadmill, indoor cycling and weight training, the actress is already noticing the difference.
With production on the long-running Mediacorp drama series Kin - which she had starred in since 2018 - wrapping last month, she has returned to being a full-time real estate agent and is prioritising her wellness.
Ariati, who is married with two children aged 19 and 17, says: "My filming schedule was so haywire and work was so draining that I was sick of trying to squeeze in exercise. Or I would be lazy.
"But now, I have free time and no more excuses, and I want to be fair to my body. It's a joy to do it and doesn't feel forced anymore. I wake up earlier too and I sleep better. It's a different me and I love it."
She acknowledges that returning to her pre-pregnancy weight of 52kg is not feasible, but her confidence level has shot up.
She has certainly come a long way since feeling "devastated" at her heaviest.
She recalls: "Shortly after giving birth, new mums would have to attend breastfeeding classes in the hospital. One father actually asked me when I was going to deliver. I returned to my room and cried."
Ariati tried everything from postnatal massages to portable saunas to packages at various slimming centres. "Even when I eventually went down to 65kg, I felt ugly and was in a lousy mood."
After her second baby, she went a different route.
For two years, she went "crazy" and ran 5km in 30 minutes daily and joined 10km runs.
But when she was 35, during a half marathon, her knee gave way. She felt she was too young to undergo knee replacement surgery, so till today, she cannot run and contends with walking and hiking.
She was also no stranger to diets, having tried keto and TR90 protein shakes. She was also a vegan for two years.
She gave up that lifestyle a year ago, and now her meals consist mainly of salads, soups and sandwiches. "If you don't do it for yourself, no one is going to be there to bear your aches and pains."
8. Huda Ali, 45
PHOTOS: HUDA ALI
Even the most attractive of women feel anxious about inching closer to 50 and beyond.
But Huda Ali will not let the passing of time slow down her quest to be the strongest and healthiest version of herself.
The 1.72m-tall former top model, who is currently based in Milan with her Italian entrepreneur husband and their 10-year-old son, says: "I believe self-maintenance is the best way to prevent ageing. And it's better late than never.
"My philosophy is, every day is a bikini day."
Overall, her weight - 54kg - may have remained the same all these years, but she is "not happy" with the skin laxity around her belly after childbirth.
Nevertheless, she is more body-confident and feels stronger and fitter - physically and mentally - than she was 30 years ago, and says that "feeling older right now is irrelevant".
Huda, who does part-time home staging, adds: "It's not the weight that we should be looking at. It's the body fat percentage and muscle mass that will determine our health."
Naturally, people assume weight management is effortless for slim models, but Huda says it is not as easy as it looks.
"Having good genes helps, but I don't take it for granted. It's all about being consistent, disciplined and doing everything in moderation in your relationship with food and exercise.
"I've tried all kinds of fad diets and workouts in my younger days. You just need to know your body and what works for you. I have a good trainer who helps me too."
She is committed to intermittent fasting, getting eight hours of sleep and drinking lots of water. She does not smoke or drink alcohol.
She trains five to six times a week with heavy weights and does stretching frequently. She consumes 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day.
She also loves training with her son, who does crossfit, rugby and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "We occasionally swop roles, playing trainer and client, and he beats me many times whenever we do a race."
