Meryl Streep, an icon in Hollywood, is celebrated not only for her acting prowess but also for her graceful approach to aging and well-being. With a career spanning over five decades, Streep has consistently defied industry norms, portraying complex characters and advocating for authenticity in an industry often obsessed with youth. Her perspective on aging is not one of decline but of continuous growth and learning. This article delves into Streep's approach to health, fitness, and overall wellness, highlighting her balanced lifestyle and body-positive mindset.
Embracing Aging and Authenticity
In a world that often values youth over experience, Meryl Streep stands as a beacon of grace, wisdom, and unyielding vibrancy. She sees each year as a new chapter, rich with opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset allows her to approach her roles with a depth that resonates with audiences of all ages. Streep has highlighted how aging in the public eye has empowered her to select roles that challenge the industry’s norms and portray women as complex, leading figures no matter their age.
A key component of Streep’s approach to aging is authenticity. In a culture obsessed with anti-aging products and procedures, she advocates for natural beauty and self-acceptance. Streep encourages embracing the changes that come with age, using them to fuel one’s sense of self rather than diminish it. Streep’s authenticity extends to her advocacy for women’s voices in all stages of life.
Resilience and Navigating Hollywood's Challenges
Throughout her career, Streep has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Facing the typical challenges of Hollywood’s ageism, she has adeptly navigated her path without compromising her values or the quality of her work. Streep also uses her platform to discuss the importance of physical and mental health in aging well. She stresses the need for regular activity, a balanced diet, and mental exercises that keep both the body and mind agile.
Meryl Streep’s impact transcends her film roles. She serves as a mentor to younger actresses, offering guidance on navigating the complexities of the film industry while maintaining one’s integrity and sense of self. Meryl Streep’s approach to aging gracefully is a powerful reminder of the beauty inherent in growing older. She has not only adapted to the inevitable changes that come with age but has flourished, using her experience to enrich her life and the lives of those around her.
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Weight Loss Journeys and Body Image
Meryl Streep's weight loss journey reveals a story of resilience, self-discovery, and a balanced approach to health that resonates with many. From her breakthrough roles in the 1970s to her commanding performances in “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Sophie’s Choice,” Streep’s commitment to her craft always shone brighter than any physical transformation.
She once lost a significant amount of weight to embody the character Sophie in Sophie’s Choice. Meryl Streep lost around 25 pounds for this role, which required her to physically and emotionally portray a deeply traumatized woman. While losing weight for a role might sound routine in Hollywood, the emotional impact was profound.
Meryl has openly admitted that she struggled with body image issues for years. She once shared in an interview, “I thought I was fat." Meryl’s story shows that even the most celebrated personalities can wrestle with self-esteem and health challenges. Meryl Streep’s approach to weight loss was never about chasing an ideal number on the scale. Instead, she focused on achieving a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
At age 55, she lost 7 pounds for her iconic role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. She reportedly said, “I don’t obsess over my weight. I want to feel good, strong, and energetic,” which highlights a crucial mindset that often gets lost in conversations about weight loss.
Emotional and Psychological Transformation
Meryl Streep’s weight loss story is compelling not just because of the pounds shed but because of the emotional journey that accompanied it. Hollywood can be ruthless, often imposing weight requirements for roles. Beyond the physical, Meryl’s health improvements have empowered her career and personal life. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle has helped her stay active and vibrant in her 70s, continuing to deliver award-winning performances.
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Her weight fluctuations over the years have also taught her compassion and self-acceptance. She encourages others to move away from negative body image and instead embrace health at every size. Her story is a reminder that weight loss is not merely a physical change but an emotional and psychological transformation. She lost about 25 pounds for Sophie’s Choice and around 7 pounds for The Devil Wears Prada.
Meryl Streep's Wellness Secrets
Meryl Streep is known for being more than just an impeccable actress. Now 72, another thing that remains constant about The Devil Wear’s Prada fame is her dedication to fitness. From eating right to getting the right amount of workouts and focusing on mental health as well, take a look at Meryl Streep’s wellness secrets that keep her fabulous at 72.
Eating Organic
Meryl Streep is an advocate of eating clean, natural, and organic every day. This helps with her skin and overall health as well. According to her, while dietary fads come and go, sticking to the basics has always been the key. Opting for whole foods, cutting down on processed items, and listening to one’s body can make a significant difference. It’s not about following complicated diet plans but about making conscious, everyday choices.
Natural Movement
Meryl Streep lives a balanced life and says that she balances her routine with balanced movement and healthy eating. She swims 55 laps religiously. Engaging in regular exercise plays a pivotal role.
Avoiding Obsession with Weight Loss
Despite the current health trends, Meryl Streep never centered her goals on weight loss. Additionally, she often spoke about how young women need not worry too much about their weight and rather focus on better things. For young women, Streep advises, "don’t worry so much about your weight. Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things."
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Enjoying the Occasional Treat
Meryl Streep has been vocal about her love for pizzas and when it comes to her wellness secrets, the Italian treat has a role to play. With this, she does not deprive her body of the cravings and also ensures that she satisfies the same in a healthy manner. During the 2014 Academy Awards, host Ellen Degeneres decided to start handing out pizza about halfway through the program, and Meryl was one of the first to grab a slice.
Social Dining
Meryl Streep likes enjoying and sharing a meal with her loved ones. She also likes to cook around her friends, and these contribute to a healthier mind and heart owing to low-stress levels. Streep does not shy away from the importance of sharing a meal with friends and investing in community around the dinner table.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
Beyond diet and exercise, there’s an emotional and mental aspect to wellness. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington often discusses the significance of happiness and mental well-being. He suggests finding joy in small moments, surrounding oneself with positive energy, and nurturing the mind just as the body would.
In an interview, Streep opened up about the death of her partner, actor John Cazale, and how it affected her. She says that she is embracing the pain, without letting it overcome her. “I didn’t get over it, I don’t want to get over it,” she says. “No matter what you do, the pain is always there in some recess of your mind, and it affects everything that happens afterwards.
Streep says that one of her secrets to her success is being enthusiastic with every role she takes on. “I feel the same excitement and enthusiasm when I’m working today as when I started out. Every character that I play has the same importance as the first one I interpreted. Streep is open about being a feminist and wanting to support women’s rights.
“We should be careful not to overestimate the actual freedom of women today,” she said in an interview. “It’s still more difficult for women to achieve their goals and reach higher level positions in society than it is for men, although we are making progress. I remember when I was 20, my mother said to me, ‘Never learn to type, otherwise you will end up a secretary.’ I still have vivid memories and impressions from when I was starting out that it was difficult for women to pursue their ambitions, and young women were constantly being valued much more for their beauty than for their intellect.
Beauty Secrets
Journalist Fi Glover revealed one of Streep’s biggest skincare secrets on an episode of the Fortunately podcast. “We were talking about beauty tips, it was a fascinating evening full of political discussion and engagement. She said that her one beauty secret was never to touch her face.
Advice for Aspiring Performers
Streep also gave one very important piece of advice for aspiring young performers. “For young women, I would say, don’t worry so much about your weight,” she said. “Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things. For young men, and women, too, what makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way and actually the people who look different are the ones who get picked up. I used to hate my nose. Now I don’t.