Steven Tyler, the iconic frontman of Aerosmith, has captivated audiences for over four decades with his electrifying performances and distinctive style. At over 60 years old, Tyler maintains a remarkably youthful appearance and boundless energy, prompting curiosity about his diet and lifestyle. This article delves into the secrets behind Tyler's enduring vitality, exploring his dietary choices, exercise habits, and overall approach to health and wellness, as well as those of his bandmate, Joe Perry.
The Importance of Diet for a Rock Legend
For Steven Tyler and his bandmate Joe Perry, diet has always been a priority. Tyler has been quoted as saying, “For God’s sake, I still want to be able to fit into those pants I wore on the last tour,” highlighting his dedication to maintaining a trim physique. His motto, "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels," underscores his commitment to healthy eating habits.
Perry echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of nutrition. “The first thing that I became hip to was diet, and that’s the most important thing,” Perry told Men’s Fitness. “You go to a doctor and they prescribe medications to take care of the symptoms, as opposed to asking what you eat. But nutrition is such an important part to the whole thing.”
Steven Tyler's Dietary Choices
While Tyler has faced criticism for his light eating habits and irregular meal schedule, he maintains a consistent dinner routine. His go-to meal typically consists of wild salmon and broccoli. Tyler has also been known to utilize a diet delivery service, providing him with balanced and convenient meal options.
His diet delivery service offers a variety of appealing choices. Breakfast options include pecan pancakes with maple syrup and Canadian bacon, while lunch features options like grilled chicken Caesar salad with risotto. For dinner, Tyler might opt for free-range chicken breast with steamed asparagus and stuffed cabbage, supplemented by snacks like stuffed artichokes or strawberry swirl cheesecake.
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Joe Perry's Paleo-Inspired Approach
Joe Perry, Aerosmith's guitarist, also prioritizes healthy eating habits. He currently follows a "Paleo-type diet" and emphasizes the importance of locally-grown food. Perry recalls discovering organic food in the 60s and avoiding preservatives, stating, “I can’t say that I stuck to it as much as I could have in those days, but I started getting hip to it and getting hip to finding stuff in health food stores.”
Perry has a unique morning routine: blending coffee with concentrated coconut oil and butter. He claims this concoction provides sustained energy throughout the day. Before each show, Perry ensures he consumes protein, typically grilled salmon or lean steak, accompanied by vegetables.
Exercise and Physical Activity
While Tyler benefits from the cardio workout of performing onstage, he also incorporates other forms of exercise into his routine. He "religiously" performs 250 sit-ups every night before bed and enjoys outdoor activities on the beach.
Perry complements his healthy diet with daily exercise, even while on tour. “When I’m on the road I have the bike and a couple set of weights and dumbbells. You can really do a pretty solid workout just doing your pushups, your situps, and certain body-weight moves,” he said. He maintains a consistent routine off tour to avoid crashing after performances.
Maintaining a Youthful Appearance
Tyler has revealed that the secret of his relatively wrinkle-free visage is a beauty regime that he follows. He applies a special cream under his eyes every night in order to keep his looks attractive. "I have a beauty regime," Tyler says. "I have special cream I put on under my eyes every night. You have to look after yourself."
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The Buddy System: Support and Accountability
Tyler and Perry maintain a "buddy system" to support each other's health goals. Tyler often calls Perry to inquire about his weight, ensuring they both stay on track. Perry also mentioned that Kramer is “steadfast” about going to the gym, and they often exchange diet secrets if they learn something new.
Staying Clean and Sober
Tyler emphasizes the importance of his clean lifestyle. "I haven't touched drugs in 20 years. Yes, I miss it - but I guess now I just get intoxicated on performing," he says.
The Fear of Weight Gain
Tyler has expressed his fear of gaining weight and not fitting into his signature leather pants. He admitted, "I have to watch what I eat because I have this ongoing nightmare that I'm going to put on weight and end up looking like some of the other rock stars of a certain age who bounce around the stage."
Adapting to Life on the Road
Perry has developed strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while touring. He emphasizes building a relationship with the hotel kitchen and sourcing groceries from local health food stores. “Being on the road, I’ve discovered certain things that help: try and get a relationship with the kitchen in the hotel; once in a while, if there’s a health food store down the street, go down and buy some groceries and give it to them at the hotel or tell them what you want,” said Perry.
Sex and Sweating
Tyler jokes that sex helps him stay slim, along with the intense physical exertion of performing on stage. "I stay slim by having sex - and sweating a lot while I'm on stage!" Tyler says jokily.
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