Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, has become an inspiration both on and off-screen. As she embraces aging and celebrates milestones like turning 60 (and now 61!), Hargitay emphasizes overall well-being rather than fixating solely on weight loss. Her approach is holistic, encompassing physical activity, mindful eating, mental wellness, and self-care.
Embracing Aging with Confidence
Hargitay has openly discussed her journey with aging, expressing pride and gratitude for each passing year. "I’m so proud of it and I’m grateful," Hargitay said of turning 60. "I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.” She views aging as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery, encouraging others to embrace all aspects of themselves. “I’m not chasing 30-year-old me,” she says.
The "WWOBD" Philosophy
Hargitay feels she’s “been on a parallel journey” with her character, Olivia. “There’s a thing ‘WWOBD,’ what would Olivia Benson do? The fans would always talk about it, and one day it hit me,” she explained. “I also have those moments where I’ve sort of slipped into her. If there’s a crisis, I just take over and lead like that. Being strong and fearless. It’s sort of this perfect feminist story.”
Fitness Philosophy: Consistency and Enjoyment
Hargitay isn't a "gym rat" but understands the importance of regular physical activity. She works out with trainer Adam Rosante, founder of the Wild Strength Club. In 2020, she called Adam a “good egg,” adding that he’s a “great trainer” with a “huge heart.” She continued, “He’s about much more than just getting your body in shape.”
Short Bursts of Activity
Hargitay incorporates short bursts of exercise into her daily routine. “Seven minutes,” she stresses. “That’s all I give it some days." One example is a seven-minute “miracle” bodyweight workout that included moves like jumping jacks with seal jack combos, tap-ups, and mountain climbers.
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Cardio Variety
Mariska mixes things up with the seasons. She uses a treadmill in the winter and relies on swimming in the summer, per Health. Back in 2010, Mariska told Allure that she’s into trampolining. "I'm athletic, but I'm not a gym person,” she said. “I bought a trampoline for my son that we jump on together, and never in my life has my heart rate gone up so fast. It's an incredible workout."
Mindful Eating: Balance and Nourishment
Hargitay emphasizes balance and moderation in her diet. “Balance is the word,” she said. “I don’t restrict. I nourish. If I want popcorn, I’ll have it." She focuses on nourishing her body with wholesome foods while allowing for occasional indulgences.
Healthy Snacking
“I’m somebody who loves snacks." Another snack that's super-simple is apples with almond butter; it's sweet, but, there is protein. And my decadent snack is really good pears with truffle cheese," she explained. "Oh, and edamame."
The Dark Chocolate Necessity
"I know I’m somebody who needs dark chocolate in my life, as much as I try to give up sugar," she said in a blog post for her foundation, the Joyful Heart Foundation.
Staying Hydrated
For Hargitay, drinking plenty of water has always been a key element of her daily routine.
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Mental and Emotional Well-being: A Key Component
Hargitay underscores the importance of mental and emotional well-being in overall health. “When I opened up about my past, the trauma, the abuse… I felt lighter. It wasn’t just my body changing."
Brain Exercises
In a 2024 interview with FIRST (per Yahoo! Entertainment), the longtime Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star - who was 60 at the time - revealed she's feeling the best she's ever felt, but it isn't by accident. Hargitay has a simple key to feeling great these days that everyone should consider implementing into their lives! "I do a bunch of brain games that they say will keep you sharp, like little hand exercises where I tap my fingers," Hargitay revealed. The exercises involve rhythmically tapping your fingers in a specific sequence, which many believe helps improve focus and hand-eye coordination, while generally keeping your brain in tip-top shape. Of course, this activity isn't the only way Hargitay ensures she feels her best at all times: "Being engaged and having to learn lines also helps, because the brain is just a muscle, right?" she said.
Heart Health
Later in the interview, Hargitay stressed the importance of not prioritizing heart health in general, and revealed she incorporates several mindful activities in addition to her finger-tapping exercises into her day-to-day: "And as we get older, you cannot over-emphasize the importance of heart health, which contributes to brain health," Hargitay explained. "Exercise is key. I also eat and sleep well. That last one's hard. Somebody told me to stretch before bed, and that helps. So does putting down the phone earlier - another tough one!"
Vulnerability as a Superpower
On June 29, 1967, Hargitay's mother, actress Jayne Mansfield, tragically died in a car accident outside of New Orleans. Although Hargitay and her brothers survived the crash, the effects of the tragedy are still felt by the star nearly six decades later. Hargitay calls it her "superpower." "I think I learned about crisis very young, and I learned very young that shit happens and there's no guarantees, and we keep going. And then we transform it," she said.
Self-Care: Prioritizing Rest and Reflection
Hargitay recognizes the significance of self-care in maintaining overall wellness. "This time has made me learn how to take care of myself, listen to my body, and know when I have to rest. Women are such amazing multitaskers; it's a blessing and a curse. We want to do it all and, the fact is, we can't! So it's been a lesson for me to stop."
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The Importance of Sleep
"Exercise is key. I also eat and sleep well. That last one's hard. Somebody told me to stretch before bed, and that helps. So does putting down the phone earlier - another tough one!"
Lessons from Pregnancy
Mariska welcomed her first child, son August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, with husband Peter Hermann in 2006. But Mariska gained 54 pounds and developed gestational diabetes during her first pregnancy, she shared with Self (via People). "I was overwhelmed by my lack of energy. All I could do to survive was to eat,” she said. "First time pregnant, you’re like, 'I gotta eat more! I have to make sure he has enough of every single food group!' I did get into eating too much. This pregnancy was really hard for me at the end. I wasn’t mobile. Next time, I want to keep myself as strong as possible, so everything will go easier for me." After she had her son, she started working with a trainer three days a week and said she focused on having lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.