A fitness fanatic has become the latest woman to stun the Chinese public with her age-defying appearance.
Athletic Zhong Xiaorong, from Beijing, regularly gets chatted up in the gym by men half her age.
But she would tell them straight up that she is old enough to be their auntie.
Zhong Xiaorong, from Beijing, says she is regularly chatted up by men half her age in the gym. The confident and athletic woman has benefitted from bodybuilding and a simple diet
Ms Zhong has gained a toned physique after taking up bodybuilding about three years ago
Ms Zhong, 47, has attributed her youthful looks to regular exercise – particularly bodybuilding – and a simple diet.
She advises those who wish to have smooth skin to stay away from spicy, oily and salty food.
‘I have very strict diet. And the diet helps me stay young,’ the confident woman told MailOnline.
‘I used to like strong-flavoured food. You know, Chinese food can be like that. But now, I try to eat light and avoid oil and salt.’
Ms Zhong took up bodybuilding about three years ago after seeing how the sport had changed one of her friends.
‘She got toned abs within months, so I followed her steps. I was hoping to lose some weight.’
Ms Zhong, 47, says those who wish to have good skin to stay away from spicy, oily and salty food. In addition, she advises women to work out regularly to avoid gaining weight as they age
Ms Zhong pointed out that bodybuilding had given her an enviable physique and a good posture.
‘People know that you are different by just looking at the way you walk,’ she said.
‘Before I started working out, my friends already thought I looked younger than the others, but now they say I have grown younger and younger.
‘As women, when we grow older our hormone level drops, so it is very easy for us to gain weight as time goes by, especially around the waist.
‘That is why it is so important to work out regularly to stay in shape.’
Now Ms Zhong has turned her hobby into a career. She has picked up her pace of training and begun to attend professional competitions in China.
Earlier this month, she competed in a tournament by the China Bodybuilding Association and came fifth in the Shanghai leg.
Ms Zhong competed in a tournament by the China Bodybuilding Association and came fifth in the Shanghai leg earlier this month. Other contestants were shocked to discover her age
The fitness fanatic also suggests beauty conscious women use cosmetic serums to stay young
Apparently, it wasn’t just her figure that impressed the jury, the media and other contestants.
‘I was the eldest competitor. Most of the others are in their 20s or early 30s.
‘But when they found out how old I was, they were shocked. They thought I was around their ages.’
Ms Zhong enjoys skateboarding, motorcycling and is also ready to take on tennis.
Her appearance has also benefited from her religious skincare regimen, especially anti-ageing serums which ‘every beauty conscious woman should use’.
Ms Zhong said she worked in the cosmetic industry for nearly 20 years – first as a saleswoman and then a company trainer – and that was where she learnt the importance of skincare.
‘A lot of women might think they are young and don’t need to start preventing wrinkles, but according to my experience that is not correct.’
For those who wish to stay youthful, they should look after themselves from mid-20s by exercising and using skincare products, Ms Zhong emphasised.