So, if there is one thing that celebrities above 50 are always asked, it is how they manage to stay healthy.
This is especially true even if they are being interviewed about a new project they are involved in. While their faces may change, it seems that the advice they give is remarkably similar. Here are a few common habits that they recommend, starting with perhaps one of the most obvious ones.
They Stick to a Regular Exercise Routine
While this is perhaps not surprising, it is certainly the most common piece of advice given by most people, regardless of age.
Dick Van Dyke, who is now 100 years old, has claimed that he goes to the gym a few times a week and credits it as one of the most important factors for his longevity and ability to stay active and moving even at his age. While most people his age may not be too keen to go to the gym, he claims that it helps him stay moving and active.
Helen Mirren, who is now 80, has claimed that she has been following a simple military exercise routine that was created by the Royal Canadian Air Force back in the 1950s and continues to do so even now. This is a simple set of exercises that can be done in 12 minutes and is a simple set of bodyweight exercises that help build muscle and keep her moving and active.
While it is not necessarily about reinventing oneself, it is certainly about being consistent. Martha Stewart, who is now 84, and Jane Fonda, who is now 88, have said that they stick to what they have been doing all these years and not necessarily what is new and trendy. Jane Fonda continues to do most of what she used to do, but at a slower rate.
They Make Varied Food Choices – Without Extreme Restrictions
Celebrities over 50 claim to watch their diet, but not in a way that restricts their lives in extreme ways.
Matt Damon, aged 55, has revealed that cutting out gluten from his diet allowed him to lose weight for a film role. Others, like Alex Rodriguez, aged 50, and Al Roker, aged 71, have also reduced their meat intake as part of their lifestyle changes.
However, a common thread here is not extreme dieting or cutting out foods entirely. Instead, it is balance and a sense of moderation, like Roker, who has revealed that cutting out foods entirely might not always be the best solution because it often leads to a rebound effect. Jennifer Aniston, aged 56, has revealed that she sticks to her 80/20 diet, where she sticks to a nutrient-dense diet most of the time but allows herself a cheat day once in a while.
Even actress Demi Moore, aged 63, who sticks to a plant-based diet, has revealed that she does not choose a perfect diet and still manages to look great. The common thread here is not extreme dieting but a structured diet with room for flexibility.
They Do Not Fear Growing Old
Another common thread here is their attitude towards growing old.
Jodie Foster has mentioned that turning 60 was a wake-up call for her because she realized she didn’t need to compete with her younger self. Elizabeth Banks has also revealed that she has come to accept her age and has a new attitude towards growing old.
Linda Hamilton stated that she does not try to look young anymore because she has earned the face she has today. Growing old for Nicole Kidman and Melinda French Gates has been a liberating experience, especially because it has freed them from worrying about what people think of them.
They’re Intentional About How They Spend Their Time
For many celebrities over 50, health is not just a matter of physical fitness; it’s also a matter of how they choose to spend their time.
Actress Kate Winslet has said that turning 50 has changed her idea of success. She no longer strives to be busy all the time; instead, she wants to connect with others.
It seems that milestone birthdays are a time for reflection. Jane Fonda has said that turning 60 has been a time to think carefully about how to spend time. So has Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama has said that if she’s lucky enough to live into her 90s, then she has only a limited number of “good summers” left.
Actress Mary Steenburgen has stated similar things. She’s said that growing older has made her more intentional about spending time with people. She’s also said it’s made her more honest with herself about what really matters.
It seems the common theme here is intentionality. They want to connect with others.
They Want to Stay Mentally and Professionally Engaged
However, for most of these people, retirement is not something they are concerned about.
Kris Jenner has openly talked about not planning to retire from work anytime soon. Vera Wang and June Squibb are also similar in their opinions about staying engaged in life and working well into their older age.
Vera Wang has made comparisons about herself and people who remained engaged in life until they were older. She has said that working has allowed her to continue honing her craft.
Another celebrity, Morgan Freeman, has talked about staying engaged in life to counteract the effects of aging. This speaks to the idea that staying engaged physically and mentally has something to do with staying young longer.
For Bill Nye, staying engaged has to do with mental activities outside of working. For him, it might mean working on crosswords or small engineering projects.
In all of these cases, it seems that staying engaged physically and staying engaged mentally are both important for staying young and healthy. The behaviors that these celebrities engage in are not extreme or secretive. They are about staying physically and mentally active through positive relationships and a positive attitude about aging.
They Have Morning Non-Negotiables
For most celebrities in the 50+, mornings start with activities that can’t be skipped.
Cindy Crawford has admitted to having a laid-back and intentional approach to her mornings. Her mornings start with listening to a Bible podcast, dry brushing, oiling her body, and then checking her phone.
She has admitted to being aware of the significance of the “first input” of her day. She ensures that this input is always positive and not emails or social media.
Cate Blanchett has a much more exciting approach to her mornings. She has confessed to having a quick cold bath to stimulate her senses and reboot her brain.
Martha Stewart has her own ritual for her mornings. Her mornings start with the sun and ensures that she takes her green juice of the day first before getting on with her schedule for the day.
