Leslie Carleton is a 62 year-old grandmother who is showing the word that age really is just a number with her incredible looks.
Yahoo News reported that Carleton is still modeling bikinis in her 60s, and she is one of the oldest women ever to compete in the 2021 Sports Illustrated swimsuit competition. She is currently engaged to Hollywood actor Matthias Hues, 62, and she splits her time between Bali and Los Angeles.
“I never imagined I’d look the way that I do in my 60s,” she admitted. “The majority of people guess that I’m in my 40s, and are shocked when I tell them I’m 62.”
Carleton explained that she never worked out or did sports in her teenage years and her 20s, but she always made sure to follow her dancer grandma’s advice to eat small, healthy meals at various times throughout the day.
“I also followed the rule of thumb that carbs and protein should be the size of your palm, while vegetables should be twice that size,” the bikini model said.
Carleton had her first son when she was only 17, and her last at 19. This meant that she was often mistaken for her sons’ sister when they were kids, and their girlfriend as they grew up. Now both of her sons are in their 40s, and people sometimes mistake Carleton for one of their wives!
“They are proud of the way I look now and thank me for being a teenage mother that stayed young and healthy for so long, because as a result, I am a healthy strong grandmother to their daughters,” Carleton said.
Carleton finally developed a love for sports in her 30s, earning a black belt in karate and taking up skiing.
“It’s only in the last 10 years that I began lifting weights. That has helped me maintain a strong and toned figure into my 60s,” she said. “Eating frequent small and healthy meals throughout the day keeps me energized, and I like to keep them balanced with a mix of healthy protein, carbs and greens.”
Getting eight hours of sleep each night and staying hydrated are two of Carleton’s other secrets to staying youthful in terms of looks.
“I also think it’s imperative to have time in nature every day and also have some alone time each day, when you can. It does wonders for your mental health,” she said. “For six days of the week, I do watch what I eat. I don’t eat fried food, and I try to limit flour and sugar. But always on Sundays I allow myself to relax and have a cheat meal, like some wine, burgers etc. This keeps my metabolism in check also.”
These days, Carleton is competing in the 2021 Sports Illustrated swimsuit contest against women who are as much as forty years her junior. If she wins, Carleton will be one of the oldest women to ever make the cover of the coveted magazine.
“I want to inspire women and show that we can be beautiful at any age,” she said. “I am fitter now at 62 than I was at 40. I never thought that was possible. I never imagined I’d be rocking a bikini after the age of 50.”
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