This Is 59: Halle Berry’s sugar-free, weights-first regime that keeps a Hollywood icon in peak form
On a Bora Bora vacation, Halle Berry posted a bikini snapshot with the bold caption 'This is 59.' The metallic-gold bikini, the crystal-clear water, and Berry’s sculpted figure sent a striking message: aging can look powerful when driven by discipline. This photo isn’t just about a holiday. It signals the result of a lifelong commitment to health and a sugar-free lifestyle that Berry says fuels her energy, even as she navigates menopause and a long-standing diabetes diagnosis.
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A regime built on muscle over cardio
Berry explains she’s moved away from heavy cardio toward lifting heavier weights. She believes this shift is essential for this stage of life and she does it at least twice a week. 'It\'s necessary for this stage of life, really just heavier weights than I\'ve ever lifted, and I do it probably two days a week at least,' she said. She once relied on cycling and running, but now the focus is on building muscle mass.
The backbone: a decade with trainer Barry Lee Thomas and a signature dumbbell workout
For almost ten years, Berry has trained with Barry Lee Thomas, often sharing glimpses of grueling sessions online. In 2023 she posted a video of a 'simple dumbbell workout'—six exercises, six to eight reps each, with a warm-up that includes frog squats and jump rope. Thomas describes her dedication as exceptional: 'She\'s one of those special individuals who, even if she has one to two hours of sleep, she\'ll get work done.' He notes that the goal in every session is always to get a really good sweat.
Diabetes and diet shape her fitness philosophy
Diabetes and diet shape her fitness philosophy. Berry was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her 20s, and she says fitness became a way to care for her health rather than chase appearance. In 2020 she explained how her regime evolved: 'Back in my 20s and 30s, I mostly worked out to look a certain way. I was young and appearance was a big part of my early acting career.' She credits keto and cutting processed carbs for more than 15 years, saying it's helped her manage diabetes, boost energy, and stay in shape. In 2024 she declared: 'Sugar is the enemy. You couldn\'t put anything sweet in front of me right now and pay me to eat it. I\'m just not interested.'
Mind, body, and public reaction: meditation, acupuncture, and a global awe
Beyond the gym, Berry champions meditation—nearly 20 years of practice—saying it helps stay connected to her true self in times of unrest. She also uses acupuncture to regulate hormones during perimenopause. Public reaction online has mirrored the awe she inspires: fans celebrate her physique and youthfulness, with comments like 'I need your trainer to move in with me' and 'The fountain of youth is somewhere near you.' Some even joke, 'Where can I sell my soul to look like this at 59?' others marvel, '59 where?? She\'s aging like she found the cheat code.'
