The Most Fabulous Famous Women Who Manage To Stay Fit In Middle Age – Fit Female Celebrities Over 40
It's been said that once we reach the age of 40, our metabolisms start to decelerate. The way we lost weight in our 20s and 30s will probably have to be modified, including diet and workouts. It will take hard work and dedication, but dropping those stubborn pounds isn't impossible.
Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox swear by boxing, while Jaime King loves yoga. And then there's J-Lo and Shakira who know a thing or two about low-impact dance cardio. If you need some serious body-goals inspiration, keep scrolling. These fit over-40 ladies are sure to have you throwing on some workout attire in no time.
Jennifer Lopez is Very Self-Disciplined
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez went from being Jenny from the Block to a glamorous Hollywood A-lister with total body goals. Obviously, it took a lot of hard work and dedication for her to have such a great fit look.
But it's not only the hours of ab work, heavy lifting, and dancing she does at the gym. According to her trainer, Tracy Anderson, Lopez is on a strict diet, "It's all organic, and it's all very well thought out, with the balance of very high-quality proteins and a lot of nutrient-dense food."
Gabrielle Union-Wade Works Out Her Body + Mind
While some people workout to get a certain physical body type, there are others, like Gabrielle Union-Wade, that enjoy working out for the psychological benefits. Don't get us wrong, Union-Wade is in great physical fitness for a lady over 40. But the outward results aren't her only motivator.
During an interview with Popsugar, Union-Wade said, "For me, working out allows me to sort of have that mind, body, soul balance. So when I feel overwhelmed, it really helps with my anxiety. I can go to the gym and get a workout in and just release at least some of that."
Sofia Vergara Switches Up Her Workouts
Whether it's on or off the red carpet, it's hard to overlook the amazing figure of Modern Family star Sofia Vergara. In a recent interview with People magazine, Vergara opened up about aging and how she is the only one with the power to make sure she does, in fact, age gracefully.
For the actress, it's all about switching up her gym routine. Vergara said that she enjoys changing up workouts every six months, but she has to be mindful of jumping around since she has bad knees.
Tracee Ellis Ross Exercises 3-4 Times Each Week
As an actress, Tracee Ellis Ross has a very busy schedule. But she still makes it a priority to workout at least three to four times a week. Ross has said that some of her inspiration comes from being able to switch things up, especially when it comes to workout tapes.
During an interview with Health, Ross spoke about Tracy Anderson's workout dance video, saying, "I find that, as adults, we stay so regimented in our movement, even if we get on a treadmill. The music changes all the patterns, and my body gets to move freely, so you feel amazing—which is ultimately the point of the workouts, too."
Shakira Swears By HITT
With the crazy amount of energy Shakira puts into her performances, it's no wonder the "Hips Don't Lie" singer is in great physical fitness. During an interview with Women's Health, Shakira's long-time trainer, Anna Kaiser, lets readers in on some of their fitness secrets.
According to Kaiser, Shakira loves having fun and doing her special HITT interval training program. "We alternate between strength and cardio intervals. Some days we do just cardio and then strength, and some days we start with strength and then do cardio, we like to mix it up." Mixing up workouts has been proven to be an excellent way to "confuse muscles" and optimize strength training.
Jennifer Aniston Works Out Nearly Every Day
Honestly, we're not sure if Jennifer Aniston is even aging, considering she looks the same as she did during her days on Friends. At over 50 years old, Aniston is at a fitness level some only dare to dream of. But it didn't come without dedication. Aniston spends up to seven hard days a week in the gym, according to her trainer, Leyon Azubuike.
In an interview with Woman's Health, Azubuike said, "We box, we jump rope, we do strength training, we do a lot of work with resistance bands—we're big on resistance bands. We rotate these things, so it's always hard, she's consistently being challenged."
Nicole Kidman
Actress Nicole Kidman looks gorgeous each time she struts down the red carpet at an award event. The good news for ladies out there looking for new ways to stay in shape, Kidman's success story comes from an easy workout routine and diet.
According to Kidman, she absolutely adores food and isn't too restrictive when it comes to her diet. She believes moderation is key. And her workouts are pretty low-maintenance. The actress enjoys long-distance runs, playing sports with her family, yoga, and cycling classes. Hey, clearly it's working for the Australian beauty!
Cindy Crawford Does The Same Workouts From 30 Years Ago
For someone who has been in the modeling business for over 30 years, one would think Cindy Crawford has learned a thing or two about fitness. Ironically, the model does workouts that she learned when she was a teenager! But, along with a whole-foods diet, the moves are clearly working for her.
During an interview with Harpers Bazar, Crawford said, "I try to get 20 minutes of cardio at least three times a week. Then I do anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of old school lunges, weights, squats, and bicep curls—it's just stuff that I learned 30 years ago."
Leslie Mann Loves SoulCycle and "Goop Things"
Actress Leslie Mann doesn't look a day over 30 thanks to her excellent fitness. For her, it's all about putting good nutrients into her body but not taking away any of the good stuff, like salt and oils. During an interview, Mann said, "I try to drink a lot of water, and I'm really into all of those 'goop things.' I'll do the detox diet, which is really good."
Aside from her diet, Mann is a SoulCycle enthusiast. According to Popsugar, she and her husband attend regular sessions at a location in Santa Monica, California.
It's Plants and Pilates for Charlize Theron
World-renowned actress Charlize Theron has worked hard over the years with her trainer Fedele De Santis to achieve and maintain her ballet dancer-like figure. It's obvious that the workout regime De Santis puts Theron through is working tremendously for the over-40 actress. But for Theron, she swears by Pilates and eating a plant-based diet.
During an interview with Australian Women's Health, Theron said, "I have juices and kale and green salads every day. When I'm eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and not drinking alcohol, that's when I look my best. That's when I'm happiest, and I think it shows."
Jaime King Uses an Organic Food Delivery Service
Jaime King is an actress and model, so being physically fit is kind of in her job description. For a working mother, that isn't always the easiest. But King makes it work, taking long hikes with her husband and kids. While pushing along one of her kids in a stroller, King takes the opportunity to work on her arms and core, too.
But for King, it's all about the food. During an interview with Byrdie, she said, "[I use] this organic food delivery service, [Paleta]. It’s local and organic, and it’s really wonderful because they make food for all of my family. It makes it so much easier for me."
Jillian Michaels Knows What Burns Fat
As a celebrity personal trainer, Jillian Michaels is no stranger to fitness. And as the years progress, Michaels didn't let laziness or children stand in her way from maintaining an awesome figure. Thankfully, the trainer boils her fitness secrets down to one main thing: workouts that have her burning fat all day long.
During an interview with Shape, Michaels said, "I train in different modalities so that each muscle is targeted twice a week, with two days of rest in between. I also do HIIT in almost every workout to train my VO2 max and keep my metabolism cranking."
Elizabeth Hurley Focuses on Digestion
For a woman over 50, Elizabeth Hurley is looking very fit! The businesswoman says that one of her secrets is good digestion. Starting off her day, Hurley makes two glasses of warm water to help with her digestion and to jump-start her hydration for the day. But she chalks a lot of her digestive success up to slowing down her life.
During an interview with Women's Health, hurley said, "I learned to sit still, put my phone down, and enjoy my food. My digestion has improved since I followed that advice." Of course, Hurley still spends time at the gym and doesn't eat processed foods, granting her a fabulous physique.
A Healthy Lifestyle is Jane Seymour's Mantra
For actress Jane Seymour, maintaining her 115-pound body weight comes down to two things: diet and exercise. And while that sounds pretty standard for fit people, Seymour is very careful not to restrict herself of anything and doesn't believe in extreme workouts and quick-fix diets.
According to Celebrity Health Fitness, "[Seymour has an] organic diet, [and practices] yoga and Pilates." And on the topic of not restricting herself of yummy foods, Seymour will sometimes trade in her healthy chicken and veggies for some cheese and a few bites of pasta. It's all about moderation!
Kelly Ripa Relies on Music for Motivation
Television talk show host Kelly Ripa is the epitome of fitness for a woman over the age of 40. There are a few things Ripa admits are the keys to her success. One is the right music. She's said before that if her playlist isn't correct, then her workout is usually subpar.
Other than spending sweat-induced hours running, doing SoulCycle classes, and the AKT method's cardio-strength classes, Ripa is a huge advocate for the Alkins Diet. During an interview with People, Ripa said, "Whether it's digestive problems, or heart health, or brain inflammation. Inflammation really affects your body in totality, so I try to maintain a really alkaline diet."
Tamra Judge Co-owns a Gym
Real Housewives of Orange County Tamra Judge is one of the more fit females on the show. Considering that she and her husband co-own the gym CUT Fitness, it's not surprising that the over-50 celebrity is in great shape. She even competed in a bodybuilding competition!
During an interview with Page Six, the petite real housewife spoke of her fitness process, saying, "[I] weight train four times a week, [but] cardio is my weakness. I just started adding more cardio because I have a couple to lose. I try min three days a week." She also eats lean meats, lots of veggies, complex carbs, and good fats.
Kristin Chenoweth Loads up on Veggies
Broadway royalty Kristin Chenoweth looks amazing for a woman over 40. With a petite frame, it's up to the singer to be mindful of what she puts into her body. Well, it's a good thing Chenoweth lives by the motto "you are what you eat."
According to Shape, the stage actress enjoys eating almonds, oatmeal, low-cal wraps, hot tea, and fruits. And don't forget about veggie-packed salads. Chenoweth has said, "We are what we eat, so I eat as many veggies as I can!" That is a definite motto we can get behind!
Sarah Jessica Parker Keeps Fit By Walking
Sex and the City alum Sarah Jessica Parker has an amazing figure for being over 40 years of age. With a healthy mix of The Hamptons diet and regular exercise, Parker has been able to maintain her excellent physique over the years. But the one exercise she loves above all others will probably surprise you.
During an interview with Life and Style, Parker said, "I walk a lot. I think walking is great. I have a Fitbit and achieve my daily 10,000 steps goal by walking my kids to school, running errands, and hoofing it to meetings. I also live in a house with four flights of stairs."
Colorful Food Options are Important for Thandie Newton
Being on the latter half of her 40s isn't stopping Thandie Newton from rocking an awesome fit body. While some people will credit good genes to their physical appearance, Newton doesn't. Instead, she attributes her strong body to her vegetarian diet and practicing Jivamukti yoga.
During an interview with Stylecaster, Newton explained her dietary choices, saying bread and cheeses made her sluggish and brightly colored foods make her more energized. "It's key to make sure you have a lot of color on your plate. The more colorful the food, the more beneficial it is." Take it from Newton, color is key, folks!
Eva Mendes' Secret is Intervals
Actress and mom of two Eva Mendes has a fitness regime that she's said is pretty much rooted in common-sense practices. With the help of trainer Johana Spates, Mendes finds herself at the gym three to five times a week, although she doesn't "like going."
Ironically, Mendes used to run for 45 minutes per session before finding something that worked for her. During an interview with Shape, Mendes said, "I love doing intervals, like running and sprinting, and I see great results with that versus the 30 or 45 minutes of steady cardio I used to do on the treadmill," she said. "Between intervals, I lift weights."
Ellen Degeneres is a Yogi
For the past ten or so years, it looks as though talk show host Ellen Degeneres hasn't aged a bit. Of course, it's due to her excellent workout regime and her dietary plan. Well, Degeneres actually doesn't credit her veganism to her fit state, solely because she's eaten meat up until her 50s.
Instead, she is a dedicated yogi. During an interview with Shape, the talk show host said, "I first started doing power yoga in LA, which really makes no sense. Power yoga? It's the opposite of what it should be. Yoga should calm you down!"
Jada Pinkett Smith is Ultra Active
Actress, wife, and mother of three Jada Pinkett Smith has a lot on her plate at all times. But that doesn't keep this lady from staying active and living a healthy lifestyle that keeps her fit. During an interview with Shape, the actress spilled all of her fitness secrets.
Growing up, Pinkett Smith had a very active lifestyle, something she made sure to share with her family. "[The kids] love to go to the gym with Will and me, but surfing and snowboarding are what we do together as a family for fun."
Christie Brinkley Sneaks in Small Workouts
All-American supermodel Christie Brinkley is in the latter part of her 50s and is still considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Gaining that status and maintaining it through the years wasn't easy. The model swears by her Total Gym, but that's not the only time she's working out.
During an interview with Shape, Brinkley said, "I'll dry my hair as though I'm sitting on a chair, even though there's no chair there. When I am brushing my teeth, I'm bending my leg behind me so I'm squeezing my butt in. I can do that while I'm washing or slicing vegetables, too."
Naomi Watts Does Strength Training
Actress Naomi Watts is like a lot of people; she doesn't necessarily love going to the gym and working out. As she gets older, though, she sees the benefits of staying in shape and keeping her figure, especially when it comes to muscle definition.
During an interview with Shape, Watts said, "As you get older, you have to work harder to keep muscle tone, so that's why I do strength training with weights. Not the three-pound kind but with higher-level weights using barbells." The actress is also a huge advocate for yoga and Pilates.
Yolanda Hadid Eats Clean and Exercises Outdoors
Former model and mother to supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, Yolanda Hadid has a few tricks up her sleeve to keep herself physically fit. She's always been able to maintain her figure through daily exercise, a well-balanced diet, and fasting once per month. The latter she advises others to educate themselves on before perusing it as a weight-loss avenue.
According to Vogue, the former model drinks a glass of warm water with lemon in the morning to wake up her digestive organs. Then, she enjoys outdoor workouts, such as jogging or horseback riding. Hadid is also a big advocate for clean eating, growing a lot of her own produce.
Sandra Bullock Works Out Hard and Enjoys a Cheat Day
At over 50 years old, actress Sandra Bullock still looks like she could take down the bad guys at a beauty pageant. We guess that's what happens when you have a celebrity trainer like Simone De La Rue, giving you hard-core interval workouts to tone your body.
During an interview with Women's Health, Bullock said, "There's always cardio like dance, jump roping or rebounding. Then we alternate between 10-minute intervals of high-intensity cardio and strength training moves that focus on different body parts." Bullock also chalks her physique up to eating free-range foods and having one cheat day to splurge.
Courteney Cox Practices Boxing
Unlike a lot of actresses who enjoy low-impact workouts, such as yoga, Courteney Cox enjoys something else altogether. Going into the latter part of her 50s, the actress is determined to have a strong, fit body when she turns 60. Her secret to her amazing physique? Kickboxing.
During an interview with Closer Weekly, a source said, "She's doing these punishing, no pain, no gain MMA workouts that push her to her absolute limit. They get her the kind of results she never imagined possible at her age. Instead of low impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, she's focusing on learning this completely new set of skills."
Gwyneth Paltrow Digs High-Intensity Dance Workouts
Gwyneth Paltrow didn't get her fabulous figure by eating burgers and processed foods all day. Instead, the actress follows the macrobiotic diet, which is heavy on eating simple, healthy foods. Paltrow, for example, enjoys locally-sourced veggies, organic whole grains, and a small amount of organic fish and poultry. Then there's the actress's workout regime.
According to Emirates Women, Paltrow completes 45 minutes of cardio, five days a week, including trainer Tracy Anderson's high-intensity dance workouts. She also does 45-minutes of yoga for muscular lengthening and toning. Then, if she has a premiere or event, Paltrow ups her workout time to two hours for six days!
Lucy Liu Enlists Top Trainers
Even though her days as one of Charlie's Angels are behind her, Lucy Liu still looks like she could be one of the crime-fighting detectives. Since the actress loves performing her own stunts, even at the age of 51, it's no surprise she is in fantastic shape.
Her workout of choice is SoulCycle. According to PopSugar, Liu starts out her 14-hour workday with a sweat-induced cycling class with her favorite celebrity instructor, Isaac Calpito. Then, she visits her longtime trainer, Jared Kaplan, for some serious Pilates on a Reformer machine.
Family Time Is Exercise Time For Heidi Klum
Ever since she won a modeling competition at the age of 19, Heidi Klum has had to keep up with a vigorous workout regimen and diet. Now, as she grows older, she's not as inclined to put in as many hours in the gym. But that doesn't mean she's stopped working out or drinking her morning "green" shakes.
According to Women's Health, Klum now makes exercising a family affair. Instead of spending hours in the gym, she'll ride bikes along the beach with her kids, or jump on the trampoline with them—anything to keep her metabolism going.
Cameron Diaz Is Addicted To Golfing
When Cameron Diaz turned 40 in 2012, she shared how important exercise was. "Exercise for me is like eating, sleeping, and breathing," she said. She has been an avid golfer for years, and jokes that she's addicted to it. While on vacation, Diaz goes paddleboarding, a sport that strengthens her upper body.
While not outside, Diaz goes traditional by working out at the gym. Her longtime personal trainer, Teddy Bass, swears that he knows the best exercise combo for women over 30. It's a mixture of Pilates, strength-training, and cardio.
Kourtney Kardashian Goes Keto
Kourtney Kardashian has eaten organic and dairy-free, even ensuring that her kids eat foods without preservatives. She has also been on the ketogenic diet for years--a food plan that keeps people in "ketosis" to burn fat. On her website, she encouraged people to consume apple cider vinegar, which she says boosts metabolism and fat loss.
Kardashian visits the gym six times a week. One of her favorite workouts is "box jumping," where she leaps from one box to another. But she does lighten up once in a while, allowing herself to "cheat" on keto twice a day.
At Age 50, Elle Macpherson Switched Her Workout Routine
After she turned 50, Elle Macpherson had to switch up her diet and workout routine. She claimed that she tried everything from boxing to workout videos, and she finally landed on less-strenuous exercises. She'll do "Vinyasa yoga or power yoga, go for a swim, go paddle boarding or water-skiing, or take the dogs for a walk."
As for diet, Macpherson switched to a plant-based alkaline diet with powdered supplements. Her new eating routine inspired her to co-found the company WelleCo, for which she designed her own Super Elixir with 45 plant-based ingredients.
Viola Davis Gets Healthy For Herself
During an interview with SELF, actress/producer Viola Davis revealed that she has struggled with insecurity for years. Now, with more confidence, she stays fit for herself--not the media. "If I have to be at work at five a.m, I will get up at three and work out," she said. "I run, [and] I do weights.
Davis loves working out. When she can't hit the gym, she'll run for 45 minutes on her treadmill. While losing weight, she scheduled her meals within eight hours and fasted for the next 16.
Kris Jenner Wakes Up, Drinks Coffee, And Runs
At age 65, Kris Jenner remains fit and healthy. She starts every day with coffee and a workout--as early as 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. While she's on the treadmill, she plans everything that she does throughout her day. Talk about organized!
Beyond running, Jenner's favorite workout is pilates. Her personal chef, Rocco Dispirito, puts her on the "Pound a Day Diet." This includes lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. After her morning run, she'll drink a protein shake to fill up and build muscle.
Bridget Moynahan Isn't a Sugar Person
The cookbook author and model Bridget Moynahan has plenty of tips for getting fit. Since she's "not much of a sugar person," she eats whole foods with not many preservatives. Her exercise routine is a combination of cardio, resistance training, and aerobics.
Moynahan emphasizes that her exercise routine isn't to lose weight, but to keep herself active. By far, her favorite exercise is cardio. She hits the gym three to four times per week. "But when I don't, I just carry my son everywhere," she jokes. "It’s a workout in itself."
Kate Hudson Keeps Things Fun
Kate Hudson has an eclectic workout routine. As followers on her Instagram know, she loves Pilates. She also likes to do "any kind of dance workout," which is how she works in cardio into her home life. She's also a huge fan of yoga, which she says supported her during pregnancy.
Whenever she can, Hudson will take her exercise outside. She believes in keeping fitness fun, so when she can't work out with her personal trainer, she'll go for a hike instead. She is always trying new things!
Holly Robinson Peete Doesn't Do Trainers
As a busy mom, Holly Robinson Peete has to fit in workouts whenever she can. I can't do trainers," she told AARP. "I have a stair stepper at home, and I do Pilates. I'm also planking a lot to strengthen my core." She aims for three exercise sessions per week.
That's not to say that Peete ignores the gym. She'll occasionally slip into the gym near the school bus stop. Her favorite gym workouts include cardio, weight lifting, and yoga. While outdoors, she'll run up the stairs at a university campus and play with her kids.
Kate Beckinsale Keeps It Real
Although Kate Beckinsale has to bulk up for her action movie roles, she keeps it real. "I just can't make it part of my daily life," she admitted to Elle UK. "I've recently got back into exercising four times a week.
Since she doesn't like working out in public, Beckinsale doesn't exercise outside or at the gym. She goes to her gym in her garage. Her exercises combine cardio, circuit training, and core exercises. She also tries to cook at home and eat healthy as often as possible.
Strength Training With Halle Berry
Halle Berry keeps stays in shape through some rigorous strength training. She shared some of her workouts on Instagram: ten reps of kettlebell squat presses and 15 reps of kettlebell swings. She has also been practicing yoga and kickboxing for years.
For Berry, it's all about feeling a burn. While hiking or walking on the elliptical, she goes uphill whenever she can. She is also a fan of keto, intermittent fasting, and whole foods. She takes several types of vitamins on top of that. And drink plenty of water, she says!
