- Helen Mirren, 79, wants people in their 50s and 60s to start exercising regularly.
- The actor still swears by a 12-minute military workout routine to stay fit.
- Inactivity is associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs, per the CDC.
At 79, Helen Mirren is staying active and embracing aging with more purpose than ever.
In an interview with The Times published on Tuesday, the actor spoke about growing older and the importance of regular exercise.
"Whatever you may think about aging, it's something we must all try to embrace rather than fear," Mirren told The Times.
She encouraged those in their 50s and 60s to make exercise a daily habit by incorporating simple, low-impact physical activities into their lives.
"It doesn't have to be joining a gym. It can be small changes like taking a short walk or practicing yoga, which I still enjoy," she said.
Mirren has long championed a 12-minute military workout developed by the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1950s and still considers it her go-to exercise routine. The workout consists of basic exercises, including toe touches, leg raises, and push-ups.
"It's never too late to start doing something, so why not give it a go while you're younger?" Mirren said.
This isn't the first time that Mirren has spoken about how she keeps fit and healthy.
In a 2015 interview, Mirren's fitness advice was to ease into it.
"My thing with exercise is start really easy, just so you only do three sit-ups, you know? Then do four next week, and the next week do five. Start really easy," she told People.
Diet-wise, she tries to eat everything in moderation.
"I've never done anything to excess," Mirren told People in a 2008 interview. "I've never drunk or eaten too much. It helps to stay balanced."
Data from the CDC shows there are about 31 million adults ages 50 and above in the US who are inactive, which means they get no physical activity beyond that of daily living. Not having enough physical activity contributes to 1 in 10 premature deaths, and is also associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs.
Even five minutes of exercise can improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure. Research has also found that regular exercise can help improve memory and reduce the effects of strokes.
Lauren Hurst, a personal trainer to older people, previously told Business Insider that strength training can help people live longer for better.
For people who lead sedentary lifestyles, the best thing they can do for their health is to start somewhere, Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a preventative cardiologist, told BI previously.
"Doing something is better than doing nothing," she said. "If walking is the beginning stages of embracing a heart-healthy life, then it is the initial stages that will create habits that will be sustainable and last for a lifetime."
A representative for Mirren did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
