Elle MacPherson has revealed the bad habits she picked up during her modelling heydey when she was in her 30s and 40s.
In a recent chat with Red, the supermodel – now 56 – admitted she wasn’t ‘healthy’, but believed she was, as she showcased her stunning swimsuit body for the magazine.
‘Genetics can only get you so far,’ she told the publication. ‘By the time you reach 50, you realise it’s all about caring for your body and your levels of vitality, so you can do the things you want to do.
Lessons learnt: Elle MacPherson has revealed the bad habits she picked up during her modelling heydey when she was in her 30s and 40s
‘I’ve tried all sorts of workouts and diets, but now a lot of the things I did in my 30s and 40s no longer work for me. I used to think I was healthy because I could survive on three hours sleep and snack on coffee.
‘In people’s eyes, I suspect I still looked great, but I didn’t feel great. That was demoralizing. I didn’t have a sense of vitality. I felt unlike myself, sort of… fragmented.
Elle also shared that despite being known in the fashion industry by the nickname The Body, she was often unimpressed by her own physique.
‘I don’t think I was very kind to myself when I was younger, especially when it came to appreciating my own uniqueness. Physically, I was broad shouldered, athletic – not a very fashionable body type in the industry at the time.
Her own worst critic: Elle also shared that despite being known in the fashion industry by the nickname The Body, she was often unimpressed by her own physique
Older, wiser: In a recent chat with Red, the supermodel – now 56 – admitted she wasn’t ‘healthy’, but believed she was when she was younger
![Proud mama: Elle has two sons - Arpad Flynn, 22, and Aurelius Cy, 17 [pictured] - and gushed over them in the interview](https://i2.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/07/01/20/30283408-8480775-image-a-29_1593633528120.jpg?resize=634%2C951&ssl=1)
Proud mama: Elle has two sons – Arpad Flynn, 22, and Aurelius Cy, 17 [pictured] – and gushed over them in the interview
‘It took me several years before I was able to fully embrace my individuality, be kinder to myself, and then take command of my business and wellness journey. I’m still working on it!
‘Kindness is definitely the new cool! I’ve realised it’s important to remember to put yourself in other people’s shoes so you can better appreciate their situation.’
Elle has two sons – Arpad Flynn, 22, and Aurelius Cy, 17 – and gushed over them in the interview.
‘The way people think of love really describes how they relate to and use that energy, that life force. So it shows up in life either as love or its opposite, fear. That’s our most basic choice – which will we act on?
Self-care: ‘Genetics can only get you so far,’ she told the publication. ‘By the time you reach 50, you realise it’s all about caring for your body and your levels of vitality, so you can do the things you want to do’
‘That’s how I teach my boys love. By “being love” all the time, to the best of my ability. And from them, I’ve learned about unconditional love.
‘Our relationship has evolved as they’ve grown. They’re very attuned on many levels and I learn a lot from them. Just yesterday, Flynn and I discussed space travel and I was astounded how much he knew and shared with me.
‘Children learn from observation – what we do rather than what we say. So I hope my boys have seen me be loving in all my relationships, even when it’s been difficult.
‘I believe love is all there actually is. Life is simply about love, or the lack of it, which is fear. For me, love is basically just another name for the life-force energy that naturally flows through us all. Everything is made of it – our thoughts, our emotions and our body.’
‘Kindness is definitely the new cool!’ Elle said that she has ‘realised it’s important to remember to put yourself in other people’s shoes so you can better appreciate their situation’
The model talked to the magazine about her work/life balance.
‘I’ve found that inner peace is the new success, so discovering what inspires and fills your heart with joy is really important. A good work/life balance brings inner peace naturally.
Out now! Read the full Elle MacPherson interview in the August issue of Red, on sale the 2nd of July
‘To balance work and family, I started by making the children a priority. Even though it was difficult in the beginning, it was well worth the effort.
‘Life will never be fulfilling if it’s not balanced, so figure out the things that are non-negotiables for you and make sure they’re clear and prioritised, no matter what your life looks like. And start out how you mean to go on.’
She also spoke about aging, and how she feels about getting older.
‘Without ageing, I could never have the gift of being a mother to two grown young men. It’s wonderful. I’m not concerned about ageing.
‘I don’t feel the pressure to look a certain way any more – I’m much more interested in my wellbeing. I believe real beauty is soul deep, not skin deep. It’s a way of being, a way of living.
‘Wellness enables people to exude confidence, strength and charisma, to radiate natural vitality, no matter what their age. It’s this inner vitality that people find attractive.’
Read the full Elle MacPherson interview in the August issue of Red, on sale the 2nd of July.