Varda Étienne in Bathing Suit Says "At 50, I Went There"

Writer Varda Étienne is proving age really is just a number when it comes to wearing swimsuits. Étienne, 50, shared a picture of herself looking beautiful in a bright pink bathing suit, posing by a pool. “At 50, I went there," she captioned the post. “And over the years, I've become comfortable with my body so this afternoon I put on a bikini with flash colors to cool off by the pool exposing my many stretch marks and cellulite and especially my copper skin that shines sunshine!” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Étienne stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. Seafood Lover

Étienne loves healthy seafood, especially grilled shrimp/prawns. “Prawns have a pink hue thanks to a compound called astaxanthin, which is obtained through the algae that prawns eat,” says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. “This compound has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, and be beneficial for skin health.”

2. Fresh Fruit

Étienne’s go-to snack is fresh fruit, especially mango and strawberries. “Strawberries are rich in colorful pigments which have a protective effect – these anthocyanidins are thought to have a number of potential health benefits, including prevention of inflammatory conditions and heart disease,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “Observational studies appear to link regular berry consumption with fewer heart-related deaths.”

3. Pasta Dishes

Étienne will never turn down a plate of pasta and vegetables. “As a sports dietitian, I advise my athletes and active clients to optimize carbohydrate intake to fuel workouts and restore post exercise,” says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN. “Anyone who has done road races has probably had a pasta meal the night before. But why? Pasta is an easily digestible carbohydrate that can help ensure that carbohydrate stores (glycogen) is optimized in both the muscles and liver so one can compete and not feel depleted.”

4. Skincare Serums

Étienne incorporates serums into her beauty routine. “Often, a serum is able to hydrate more effectively than even the heaviest creams,” says celebrity esthetician Karee Hays. “The molecules are able to truly penetrate the skin and hydrate on the deepest level, while the heavier creams more so sit on those top layers. Hydrating serums do not necessarily replace your moisturizer, but can boost the hydrating effects of your moisturizer.”

5. All the Cheese

Étienne loves cheese, especially fresh burrata. “Cheese may help you stay slim thanks to a substance called butyrate, found in many cheeses,” says Karen Ansel, RDN. “Research suggests that it may help boost metabolism. These cheeses also encourage the bacteria in our gut to make even more butyrate, so it’s a double win.”