Sophia Loren is keeping fit and healthy ahead of her 92nd birthday on 20 September, and she has a trick up her sleeve for staying that way.
In 2020, the Old Hollywood actress told Haute Living San Francisco: “I have always been a person who prioritised exercise and a disciplined lifestyle in terms of physical and mental activity. To this day, I still wake up at 6:00 am every day and go through a 45-minute calisthenics routine to start the day on the right foot and with a good frame of mind.”
© Getty ImagesSophia is still an icon at 91 years old
What is Sophia’s calisthenics workout?
Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses one’s own body weight as resistance to build muscle. Liz Nelson, a renowned exercise scientist, spoke to HELLO! about why it’s an excellent way to keep fit for women who are going through or have gone through the menopause – like Grumpier Old Men star Sophia.
© Getty ImagesSophia Loren rose to fame in the 1950s
“By performing resistance, or strength, training, you can reverse muscle mass loss, improve resting metabolic rate, and improve bone mineral density,” Liz explained. “Additionally, it’s been shown to improve cardiovascular health by reducing resting blood pressure and improving blood lipid profiles.”
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Furthermore, it has been linked to reduced lower back pain, arthritic pain, and pain from fibromyalgia.
Sophia’s daily vow to stay fit
Sophia also told the magazine that for her, fitness isn’t just about keeping her body strong. “Exercise and physical activity not only help me stay in shape for the endeavors of personal and professional life, but they also give my daily life structure and focus,” she explained. The Nine actress was also previously quoted saying: “There’s always an excuse to do nothing. That’s why I force myself to go out and walk for an hour.”
A balanced approach
Sophia has long prioritized a happy life over living by strict rules. In 1965, she famously declared: “I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size zero.” She has also opened up about her youthful appearance, telling HELLO! in 2019: “There is no secret. This is the face I was born with. I like to keep myself as I was born, no secrets otherwise.”
© GC ImagesSophia Loren has a refreshing attitude to her appearance
As for her career, which started with a breakthrough role in 1954’s The Gold of Naples, Sophia shows no signs of slowing down. “I don’t want to think about legacy. I want to think about my next movie,” she told Deadline in 2024. “I’ll think of legacy once I retire, and I hope never to retire.”
