Prevention: Kim Anthony from FitnessGalore.net asks how you maintain your ageless beauty. What’s your secret to looking so fantastic?Andie MacDowell: I always think I look better after a yoga class. It’s the same as a massage. We look so amazing after a massage because we’re relaxed. Staying out of the sun and staying in good shape really helps, too. So does trying to maintain a healthy weight for your individual body—and that’s different for everybody. And I really believe that what you eat makes a big difference—what you feed your skin. I eat an enormous amount of fruits and vegetables. But it’s healthy habits. That is my concept. I think a lot of people want to have some kind of magic and the magic is really just that. PVN: Suzanna Cole from South Austin Foodie wonders if you like to cook?AM: In the morning, I’ll eat goat yogurt and goat kefir with huckleberries and sunflower seeds. I make an enormous amount of salads but my salads are like meals. They’re amazing. I like going down to the farmers’ market and looking to see whatever you can find, because you can put anything in a salad. PVN: How have your healthy habits changed over the years?AM: I think I’ve gotten better at it as I’ve gotten older. It’s more important to me now because I want to live. I want to have grandchildren and I want to be strong. I do handstands, I do cartwheels, and I want to do them for as long as I can as long as I possibly can. PVN: Jennifer Fisher from The Fit Fork admits that aging can be scary, and wonders if you have any fears about aging. Does loving your age come easy to you?AM: It’s easy until someone tells me something negative about my age. Those are hard—when you see negative messages about getting older. But I like my age. I’m very happy. I feel creative. I feel good about what I’m doing right now—I have hope for the future. PVN: Was there ever a time when you struggled to love your age?AM: I work for L’Oreal doing hair color commercials, and believe me, that was a big transition for me. When I went in to go shoot the commercial, I had to tell myself how lucky I was to be there, ‘cause I was like, “I am way too young to be doing this.” I didn’t have hardly any gray at 40. Well, I have to tell you, I have a lot of gray hair now. And honestly, it doesn’t bother me. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. MORE: How 10 Super-Busy Health Professionals Make Time For Themselves PVN: Lisa Traugott from She’s Losing It points out that Hollywood is notoriously tough on middle-aged women. Do you think this trend is changing? Can we expect to see any of this in your upcoming role in the Magic Mike sequel?AM: There is actually something very positive about mature women in [Magic Mike], so I think there is going to be a really good message in there. It’s important to have mature characters having great romantic relationships and being happy and strong. Cedar Cove definitely has mature characters in it too. There’s a few romantic characters that are mature and still seen as sexy and lovable and interesting and all that. I think that is good. I don’t think it’s something that goes away, ever. PVN: What do you think about the expectations for women’s bodies set by the fashion and movie industries?AM: I wish they would not have the models be so skinny. They’re even thinner now than they were when I was modeling. That seems like a step in the wrong direction. I just wish they would let them be thin but healthy. PVN: How do you stay centered and de-stress?AM: I love to go for a walk and go outside. Exercise has always been my greatest relief. It was harder when I had the little kids, but I knew that if I ran for 30 minutes I’d be a better person. So I did. PVN: Has your fitness routine changed now that your children have grown up?AM: Now I’ll go for an hour and a half hike every day when I’m not working. It’s fantastic. I can actually go for a hike and do yoga in the same day sometimes. PVN: Have you ever reinvented yourself?AM: I went to Africa and I ended up having this amazing, cathartic experience. I realized that I had to change my life. I was living such a grand lifestyle, and I just didn’t want to do it anymore. Now I’m living in this cabin in the woods in Montana. I’m much happier now in this tiny house than I was in the big house. I like it much simpler. PVN: Sounds like you’re on a pretty amazing journey.AM: I feel like it’s still leading somewhere and I don’t know exactly where it is. It’s a process. I think every time in your life is valuable, and you need to exist in that moment. Because if you don’t—you lose it. MORE: This Is What Busy Austin Chefs Eat For Breakfast