Articles written by Devin Sherrington about health, wellness and fitness in regular column called Fit to Be Tried in the Daily News:

The Daily News - Fit to Be Tried by Devin Sherrington

For nearly 400 years people have been trying shortcuts, miracle creams, pills, and countless fad diets to look younger. Even plastic surgery, which leaves some nasty scars, gets good press. You don't believe me? Go on-line and google a tummy tuck.

Some of the most seemingly sane people argue for surgery. Heck my wife seems to mention a tummy tuck every week.

Bottom line is everyone wants to look a little younger.

In the 16th Century, explorer Ponce de Leone set out to discover the fountain of youth. He thought he would discover a magic elixir that could restore vim and vigor in the most tired and worn down people. Unfortunately, ol' Ponce died at 61 looking every bit 61.

He really should've invested in a home gym, or maybe eaten more carefully. Either way, he would have likely lasted longer and looked better. All you need is a little exercise, and clean eating and some facial exercises to look younger.

First on the look younger checklist is water. Drink at least eight glasses a day, and work you're way up to around 10 to 12. This alone can take years off your face and your body. Hydrating your skin isn't only about moisturizer. It's about keeping the cells in your face water filled and healthy too.

But eating well isn't the only thing that will give you a little lift. Something as simple as a really good laugh will help you liberate and tone your facial muscles. If you haven't had a good belly laugh in awhile, try a few little exercises for your face.

Look in the mirror and scrunch your face as tightly as you can for a five seconds. Then open your mouth and stretch it out as much as you can for a five seconds.

Purse your lips and wiggle your nose left to right for a five seconds. Then just smile as big as you can, holding for a five seconds. Try this every morning before you start your day.

Yeah you'll look strange doing it, but these small exercises can help get the blood flowing and tighten up those little underlying muscles. It's just the same as lifting weights, only on a smaller scale.

The only negative things I've ever read about facial exercises have been on Botox and facial surgery sites, and they love to rant against them. Hey I'm sure they have no ulterior motives. I'll take a good laugh or a face exercise over a needle any day, and it's not just because I don't like needles.

So give these facial exercises a try, drink lots of water, and exercise too.

Do you think that's too tall an order? Hey, youth comes with a price. Either you do it yourself or you pay a surgeon. It's up to you.