In April, 83-year-old Cloris Leachman posed for an ad for PETA wearing a dress made out of cabbage leaves. Sounds horrendous, right? Actually it was really artful and interesting, and both Cloris and PETA got a lot of positive press for it. Now she’s gone one step further and is baring even more skin – posing in just a bathing suit for In Touch. And she looks really great – something she credits to taking care of herself, eating well, and being a vegetarian.

While it’s hard to believe the always-animated Cloris Leachman could ever be shy in front of a camera, slipping into a bathing suit at 83 years old managed to trigger some nerves. But after a few test shots — and a margarita — Cloris found her groove. “It felt good,” she tells In Touch. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s not like I feel like I did when I was 20, but I was completely comfortable.” She believes her healthy lifestyle keeps her feeling and looking young. “I’ve taken care of myself all my life,” she reveals. Cloris shares her swimsuit secrets and much more with In Touch.

In Touch: Well, you look incredible — what’s your secret?

Cloris: It’s from making the right decisions. I always wanted to be healthy and look good. I taught myself in my mid thirties about eating right. I actually became a vegetarian at 35. Eating right really is the secret.

In Touch: What’s the best diet tip you’ve ever heard?

Cloris: Well, if you brush your teeth, you don’t want to eat something right after because your mouth feels so fresh. So brushing your teeth actually prevents you from eating until later.

In Touch: What do you think about all the young women getting Botox and other procedures in their twenties and thirties?

Cloris: It’s a shame. I like that we’re able to improve ourselves, but most of the time, I think people go too far.

In Touch: Have you ever done Botox?

Cloris: Well, one time, yes. I was shocked. And my daughter just started laughing because I’d lift up my forehead and there wouldn’t be any wrinkles except high above. And it lasted about six months.

In Touch: Would you do it again?

Cloris: No! It was ridiculous. You can’t just have part of your face not moving and the rest moving everywhere. That doesn’t work.

[From In Touch via the Huffington Post]

Cloris makes such a good point about Botox. The reason it doesn’t look natural is because it’s so strange to see the rest of your face move but not your eyebrows or forehead. I can’t blame her for trying it and I love when celebrities admit to it. The tooth brushing thing is something I’m a big fan of. I didn’t realize it could contribute to long-term health, but it’s crucial enough for Cloris to list it as something that’s help her keep her body in good shape. She obviously looks amazing – if you told me she was in her fifties I’d believe it. She’s wearing nylons which does help – wouldn’t it be nice if you could do that at the beach? Not on a comfort level, but in terms of the added support.

Sometimes I toy with the idea of being a vegetarian, and I have to say seeing how good Cloris looks is a big push in that direction. Here’s a little clip of her on “Dancing with the Stars,” just to prove how awesome she is.

Update: Here is a bigger picture from In Touch. Cloris is promoting her new clothing line full of bright, versatile tunics at ClorisLine.com. There are many more pictures of Cloris in the new issue of In Touch with Jon Gosselin’s engagement on the cover.