From 240 pounds to “Rocky” shape: This is how Sylvester Stallone managed to lose weight at 70+
As a person ages it can become harder to lose weight as the body changes but Sylvester Stallone, in his 70s, managed to shed 50lbs last year.
Thanks to numerous roles in action movies, Sylvester Stallone has been known for his muscular physique. So it may come as a surprise that he was struggling with his weight.
He had amassed 240 pounds and was feeling “sluggish and worn out” explains New York University’s Harmony. However, he got help from his longtime trainer and shed 50 pounds in six months, but it wasn’t all exercise and diet behind the impressive turnaround in his 70s.
How Sylvester Stallone managed to lose weight at 70+
As a person ages it can become harder to lose weight as the body changes, muscle loss, changes in hormones, and metabolism slows down. In the case of Stallone, the demanding routines of his acting career had also taken a toll on his body.
Cummings didn’t put him on a crash course of punishing exercise or an extreme diet, instead he worked on slowly building healthier habits. “It’s not just about lifting heavy weights or running miles. We focused on incorporating balance and flexibility, which are just as important as strength and endurance, especially at Sylvester’s age,” he told Harmony.
Stallone’s workouts now include more cardio with a focus on daily walks, cycling and swimming. His diet though was where the Rocky actor made a major shift, embracing meals that were balanced and nutritious.
He cut down on carbs and processed foods and switched to whole foods, healthy fats and lean proteins using a more Mediterranean-style diet. The diet wasn’t restrictive but instead sustainable, seeking to nourish the body.
Beyond dieting and exercise: “staying mentally strong and not giving up”
The exercise and the diet were the easy part Stallone shared in an interview. “The hardest part wasn’t the workouts or the food,” he said. “It was staying mentally strong and not giving up. It was easy to get discouraged.”
“I had to channel the same fighting spirit I portrayed on screen. It was all about persistence,” he added.
He also embraced self-care routines like nurturing his emotional health and getting the right amount of sleep. Stallone also explained that he practiced meditation and mindfulness habits as part of a more holistic approach to reducing stress and keeping focused.
By the end of 2024, after shedding his excess weight, the 78-year-old was down to 190 pounds and strong and toned again, in the best shape of his life. He also felt full of vitality once again. “I’m living proof that it’s never too late to make a change. You just have to want it badly enough,” Stallone reflected.
Hollywood history-maker
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