A 64-year-old woman says she is ageing in reverse and frequently shocks people when sharing her age – as she reveals her secrets.
Lisa D’Ettorre-Liguori wakes up “ready to train” with a trim physique that would put most twenty-something-year-olds to shame.
The confident mum-of-two is “proud” of her age – but is also “very intentional” about her lifestyle, including her workouts, diets and skincare regimen, which helps her look decades younger.
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Lisa’s body is a result of hard work that was triggered by years of being overweight, fighting hormonal changes, brain fog and bleeding gums, triggered by then-symptoms of perimenopause.
Now, she’s fitter than ever – here are her secrets: from counting macros to eating enough protein, and going hard on weight-lifting.
“I’m very intentional about how I live,” the influencer told What’s The Jam.
“I am redefining what ageing can look like for women.
“I strength train multiple times a week, walk every day and include HIIT workouts a couple of times weekly to keep my cardiovascular fitness strong.
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“I plan my meals, track my macros, and make sure I’m eating enough protein to support muscle and recovery, which was a major shift for me as I aged.
“I protect my sleep, manage stress, wear sunscreen daily, stay consistent with skincare, and I no longer drink alcohol because I simply feel better without it.
“None of it is extreme, but it’s consistent.
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“Those daily habits compound, and that’s what keeps me feeling strong, mobile, and energized at 64.
“Over the past six months, I’ve been following a ‘reverse diet’ to properly fuel my training so I can build muscle, not just maintain it.
“People don’t expect a woman in her sixties to live this way: strong, energetic, training hard, and fully engaged.
People usually guess I’m younger than I am.
“The number varies, but the reaction is often surprise.
“I take it as a compliment, but what matters more to me is helping people see that ageing doesn’t mean falling apart or shrinking back.”
Lisa lives in the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, US, with her husband of 37 years, David, 64, with whom she shares two grown children: Jeremy, 30, and Kasey, 26.
The founder of Simple Beauty Minerals Cosmetics says maintaining her healthy lifestyle means she doesn’t suffer with many of the same ailments as others her age.
She is a vegetarian and starts every day with a minimum 45-minute walk, plus three days of strength training and two 10-minute HIIT sessions.
Lisa said: “I’m not dealing with many of the common health concerns that often come up in conversations at this age, and I’m grateful for that.
“I wake up without aches or pains and feel ready to move and train, which reflects the work I put in consistently.
“I feel comfortable in my body and free to wear what I like, whether that’s tank tops, dresses, or something more fitted.
“[When I was younger], I followed the advice many women were given at the time; eat less and do more cardio, and it wasn’t sustainable or effective.
“I’m no longer interested in trying to be ‘skinny’ by undereating.
“The biggest shift was learning how to strength train effectively, and also learning to eat enough, and to count macros in a way that truly supports my body. “
Lisa makes videos about her health journey for her 8,389 followers on Instagram @lisadliguori.
She hopes to start a conversation that isn’t about staying eternally young but to live a life where age isn’t the key – health is.
She also gets regular lab work done to take a proactive approach to changes in her body.
Lisa added: “My family and friends respect my routines and understand that movement, training, and taking care of myself are non-negotiable.
“What’s been especially meaningful is hearing from younger women and even men who feel encouraged by seeing a different example of ageing.”
FACT BOX: WHAT I EAT AS A 64-YEAR-OLD WOMAN TO LOOK AND FEEL DECADES YOUNGER
Breakfast: Coffee with collagen and a plant-based creamer, oats with yogurt, protein powder, berries, a protein smoothies or protein pancakes.
Lunch: Egg white omelet with greens, avocado, low-carb tortilla or a low-carb bagel.
Dinner: Large salad with cottage cheese or a protein veggie bowl.
Dessert: Always a protein brownie yogurt bowl to “help me meet my protein goals in a way that still feels like a treat.”
