At 71, Christie Brinkley says she still feels like an “Uptown Girl.”
The former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model is sharing her life story in a new memoir titled Uptown Girl. The book details her rise to fame and the challenges she faced along the way.
During an appearance on FOX & Friends Thursday, Brinkley opened up about how she stays in top shape. Her answer was simple: her plant-based diet.
“My number one beauty secret is that I’ve been a vegetarian since I was a kid,” she said. “Now I’m a vegan, and I have been for about a year. I really believe that if everyone tried being vegetarian or vegan, they’d feel better — and it would help the planet, too.”
Brinkley also praised the “rainbow diet,” which focuses on brightly colored foods packed with nutrients. She said these foods keep her body strong and energized.
“You really are what you eat,” she said. “I treat myself to good nutrition, and I never feel like I’m missing out.”
The former model said she doesn’t think of her eating habits as a diet anymore.
“It’s not about denying yourself,” she explained. “When you learn what food, vitamins, and exercise do for your body, you’ll want to reach for healthier options. That’s what I do.”
In her early career, Brinkley followed a strict fish-only diet to lose weight quickly before photo shoots. Today, she takes a more balanced approach and practices moderation.
“If I’m on a trip or it’s someone’s birthday, I’ll have a piece of cake,” she said with a laugh. “It’s bad luck not to! Then I just cut back on sugar for the rest of the day. It’s all about treating your body with care.”
Brinkley emphasized that her switch to a vegan lifestyle has made a big difference.
“I’ve never felt better,” she said. “I eat a lot of grains, beans, and colorful foods.”
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, she quoted a lyric from her ex-husband Billy Joel’s song Vienna — “Slow down, you crazy child.”
She added, “Seriously, just slow down. Enjoy it all. Savor it all. But live.”
Brinkley also avoids using a scale to track her weight. Instead, she relies on how her clothes fit.
“I have my ‘Honest Jeans’ to tell me the truth,” she said in a 2021 interview with Fox News Digital. “If they fit, I feel good. If not, that’s OK too.”
After spending time in sweatpants, she admitted she was surprised when her jeans didn’t fit the same. But she keeps things in perspective.
“For me, it’s about smaller portions and a bit more exercise,” she said. “I choose to focus on my blessings. Once you start recognizing what you’re grateful for, the rest doesn’t seem so important.”
Staying active has also been a constant in Brinkley’s life.
“I’ve always loved outdoor sports,” she said in 2019. “Tennis, paddleboarding, skiing, kayaking, cycling — I love moving.”
At her age, she said staying physically active is more important than ever.
“My enemy is sitting,” she said. “It’s a mistake to think you need to stop moving as you age. That’s the worst thing you can do. Go to a physical therapist, figure out what hurts, strengthen those muscles, and keep going.”
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