If it weren't for the title of the book, anyone would mistake the woman on the cover of Yes I'm 58 to be a 25-year-old.
"We usually believe in what we see and experience. That's why I have my picture in a bikini on the cover to prove that you can look good even at 58," says now 60-years-old Sandra Alvim, the author who believes it's never too late to reinvent yourself. "Ageing and believing it is all downhill is just a paradigm we have been living with for centuries.
"I was always very conscious about being fit and in shape, but when I hit menopause I started to lose my figure. I gained weight, I had depression and I was insecure. What motivated me to change was my desire to regain my self esteem and to look beautiful for the man whom I've been married to for 22 years. The strength of a woman and her self-esteem are based on her beauty, femininity, intellect, education besides her power to attract and please the man she loves. At least that's what my Brazilian culture has taught me. A woman becomes insecure when she feels she's losing her looks and she tends to give up on love and intimacy, and many times, on life. In my book I prove you can still have it all at any age."
Fame comes calling
Alvim is an astrologer who moved to the US in 1986 with her daughter (now 37). She had divorced her first husband and opened a boutique in New York selling Brazilian brands. She says her book is as much about "spiritual awakening as for physical renewal". In the past two years, she has been featured in many publications, including O, The Oprah Magazine, and has Hollywood stars such as Eva Longoria and Chris Noth as followers.
"My first intention and stimulus to write this was as a love letter from a mother to daughter to help my daughter go through life with plenitude and happiness. My book is about and for women who are looking for a transformation in their lives in every way. Based on my life experiences, my mistakes and my successes, I show my process of transformation when I reached menopause and what I did to change my body, my perception, emotional behaviour and life in general. I show how to be happy. It is about astrology, about nutrition and fitness, and about phases of life women go through — pregnancy, menopause, relationship and divorce.
Feel-good factor
"As a spiritually conscious person, I believe the body is the shelter of the soul. It should be respected, and kept healthy and beautiful. I believe in balance and to be true to self, we need to level the body, mind and soul on the same plane. I come from a culture where women are proud of their gender; we are comfortable with our bodies."
But is it really possible to have a fantastic body at this age without a little help from the scalpel?
"Everything counts. Exercise, right diet, emotional behaviour, positive thoughts and right attitude. I meditate every day and reflect upon my attitude and behaviour, trying to improve constantly. I do spiritual techniques and breathing exercises to keep my aura clean, to heal my body and balance my chakras. I have all this in the book. More importantly, I'm an optimist. I believe in people's good will. I believe in happiness. I believe I will get what I ask for. And I believe in love. Cosmetic surgery works as a last resort. We should love the body we are born with, but if we are unhappy with something, science and medical advancements are there to help. I prefer small procedures such as fillers, laser procedures and Botox."
An early start
From what age do you think women should be aware of their health and wellbeing?
"It should start from the mothers, teaching their daughters to develop good habits and eat right. If you give celery or a carrot to your toddler, he will develop the taste for these vegetables and like it. If you give them chocolate and candies, you can't expect your baby to like carrots and celery. Each one of us has a different timing, but the earlier the better. Exercising should be part of our daily habits. Eating right should be a way of life, not a mandatory obligation. Once we have the awareness we will overcome all the hurdles life sometimes presents. Keeping the faith and the habits in place are part of the foundation for a successful life."
