Denise Austin was shocked when Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit requested if she would stroll down the runway in a bikini.
The health icon joined her daughter, SI Swim mannequin Katie Austin, on the 2022 Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Present in July. The mom and daughter proudly rocked two-pieces on the catwalk for the stay broadcast present on the W South Seaside pool in Miami Seaside, Florida.
“At first, I believed, ‘Am I actually doing this? Are you kidding me? In a bikini at age 65?’” Austin chuckled. “However how exhilarating that was! It was this wonderful, pure excessive. It was an honor that they even requested me. After which to do that with my daughter made it much more particular. It was the spotlight of my life to stroll the runway with my daughter. I’m nonetheless not over it.”
The previous gymnast shared that her daughter, 28, has been an inspiration to her.
“It introduced tears to my eyes [when I first saw her in SI],” Austin defined. “I used to be simply so happy with her. She’s simply the sweetest individual with the most important coronary heart. And he or she’s a tough employee. She tried out for it three completely different years by way of Swim Search, so it’s not like this was given to her. And I’m simply so proud, as a result of this has been a dream of hers. I keep in mind seeing Christie Brinkley and Kathy Eire on the duvet and [thinking] how that was such a giant deal. So it’s wonderful to see my daughter within the journal. And she’s going to now at all times be a Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit mannequin.”

For greater than 30 years, Austin has been encouraging folks to kick off an lively life-style by way of her exercise routines. She has bought greater than 24 million train movies and DVDs. She additionally led the longest-running health present in TV historical past. She continues to be bursting with vitality and enthusiasm whereas doing a “complete physique burn cardio” or coaching to be “lean, toned and completely match” – all with a megawatt smile.
Most not too long ago, she teamed up with Straightforward Spirit to launch a brand new assortment on Sept. 15 named “Straightforward Spirit x Denise Austin.” It options lively footwear designed for prime or low-impact exercise routines.
“Footwear are a very powerful factor you want whether or not you’re strolling or doing any form of fitness,” she defined. “When Straightforward Spirit requested me to collaborate, I used to be so excited, as a result of I like their sneakers, however I additionally needed to make a extra enjoyable type with advantages. One shoe is nice for energy strolling that’s additionally very light-weight… the opposite is for strolling quick or working. I created each kinds, however I stroll at the very least 35 minutes a day. I needed one thing the place I can exit and stroll my canine, casually put on to Pilates, or simply for working errands. I’m at all times in athletic put on, so it made sense.”

Austin stated that low-impact exercises typically get missed, however there are many advantages for these needing some motivation.
“You could possibly burn energy and get your self wholesome with out placing stress on the joints,” she shared. “It’s simpler in your knees, your hips, your thighs and again. I like to recommend a brisk stroll, not an influence stroll… I additionally do low-impact aerobics at residence. So as an alternative of an everyday leaping jack, I’ll do a heel jack the place you’re not leaping. The bigger muscle tissue of the physique burn extra energy, so you’ll be able to burn extra in case you use your thighs and gluteus. You don’t want to leap to really feel it and get your coronary heart charge up.”
In line with Austin, her secret to feeling and looking youthful is surprisingly easy. She works out half-hour every day and eats balanced meals consisting of “80 p.c wholesome meals and 20 p.c treats,” together with consuming loads of water all through the day.
“I like HIIT interval coaching,” she stated. “Once I’m out strolling, I’ll do 5 minutes of a pleasant stroll. Then I’ll do a burst of a quick stroll the place I’m pumping my arms and powering by way of. Then I do one other five minutes of just walking after which take it up larger, nearly like a lightweight jog. I additionally consider in a constructive perspective. If I get up feeling grateful, I’ll wish to take excellent care of myself. And I’ll wish to train. It’s a message I’ve been preaching for 40 years. I’m nonetheless a believer. That’s how I stay.”
Austin additionally emphasised experimenting within the kitchen – and consuming the whole lot carefully.
“I like Mexican meals!” she gushed. “I like my tacos, guacamole and margaritas. These are my treats. I come from a giant household, and we like to eat. Once I exit to dinner, I wish to get pleasure from myself. I don’t even take into consideration what I’m ordering – I simply get pleasure from it. And after I’m residence, I do my very own cooking. I make meals on a regular basis for my household.”
The one message Austin has for different ladies her age is to maintain transferring.
“You could possibly at all times enhance your well being,” she defined. “It’s all about vitality degree. I train for well being advantages but additionally to have the vitality to get pleasure from my life. I’m a real believer that 10 minutes a day will make it easier to get began. Stroll for 10 minutes. Should you may try this day by day, you would enhance your spirit and your well being.”
“I do know that train is among the greatest preventative medicines, so in case you may simply give your self 10 minutes, it is going to make such a distinction,” she continued. “You’ll be able to assist your thoughts and your physique. And when you try this, you’ll be able to construct your self as much as half-hour. And there are all types of workout routines on the market. I love to do leg workout routines within the kitchen. I do pushups towards the countertop as I watch for my espresso to brew. Each day, I consider methods I can stretch and transfer extra. If there’s one message I may give is that it’s by no means too late.”