- Bethenny Frankel rocked a runway at 54 and says her lifestyle habits keep her youthful.
- She focuses more on walking than hitting the gym and isn't afraid to say no when she needs a rest.
- Frankel has been expanding her business partnerships into wellness, trying new supplements and skincare.
This summer, Bethenny Frankel's abs went viral.
At 54, the Real Housewife turned business mogul walked the Sports Illustrated swimsuit show, and her toned midriff galvanized the internet.
Frankel told Business Insider she'd been inundated with questions about her secrets for aging gracefully with a busy, travel-intensive schedule.
"They want to know how I live, how I eat, how I pack, what I do," she said.
Frankel said she doesn't follow a strict routine. She tries to walk regularly and manage stress proactively, and she doesn't overthink her diet.
Still, she understands the fear of getting older and the desire to feel confident and healthy in your 50s.
"I think people were moved by the Sports Illustrated Walk because they were saying: 'Oh, wait, I am not done. I have so much time. I could have a glow up in five years, in 10 years, in 20 years,'" Frankel said.
If you're looking to give your lifestyle a tune-up, here are her top tips.
Keep your fitness routine simple
Frankel became a major player in business, turning her Skinnygirl brand into a multimillion-dollar company and investing in various other companies — a golden touch known as the "Bethenny Effect."
Still, she said she's not the type to follow a set schedule.
"There is no typical day," she said. "A morning routine? I'm not that kind of person."
One thing she will always fit in, though, is a walk.
"I just try to get in steps, but certainly not every day."
Walking is great for longevity, since it keeps your heart strong and promotes good balance and stability, according to cardiologists and healthy-aging doctors.
While lifting weights is good for healthy aging too, the best exercise is one you'll do consistently, personal trainers say.
If she's learned anything over the years, Frankel said, it's that you don't need to overcomplicate your workout routine to stay healthy as you age.
Related stories
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know
3 supplements she swears by
Frankel said she takes a daily "pile of vitamins" and powders, including:
- NAD+ — a trendy molecule being researched for energy and healthy aging in an IV and pill form.
- Collagen — a type of protein that supports healthy skin, hair, and joints.
- Irish sea moss — a nutrient-rich, edible seaweed that provides fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A and C.
Carbs are good, actually
Frankel has long been famous for her "supermodel snacks," low-calorie bites that combine protein sources such as turkey slices with mustard and bagel seasoning.
Despite loving cottage cheese — which is protein-packed — Frankel said the high-protein trend is overrated.
"People are fixated and obsessed with so much protein. I think protein is good, just like I think carbs are good, fiber is good," she said.
Instead, she tries to get creative in reaching for flavors she's craving, while being mindful of portion sizes.
Make time for yourself
Frankel said one of the major reasons for her continued success in both health and business is a proactive approach to burnout.
She has a packed schedule, and finding balance is what has allowed her to keep up with a steady stream of obligations.
Frankel said she still has stressful days, but she's learned to set aside plenty of time after to recover. That means being diligent about really resting, taking a full day to do nothing — not a 15-minute interview, not a quick meeting, not anything work-related, no matter how small, so she can fully unwind.
"I don't run the car into the ground," Frankel said, preparing to take a long, relaxing walk in the sunshine after wrapping up her interview with BI. "You need to have a discipline about saying no."