Halle Berry, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday, is advocating for a louder presence for women in Hollywood as they age and is sharing insights into the wellness practices that support her vitality. Berry, who has been open about her personal experiences with menopause, aims to combat the feeling of being "marginalized and devalued" that she believes many women face in mid-life.
"I have adamantly decided I am not going to allow myself to be erased. That's why I'm on my menopause mission. I'm going to be louder than I have ever been," Berry stated. She has become an advocate for menopause and perimenopause awareness, citing her own struggles with symptoms like brain fog and exhaustion.
To manage her health, including diabetes which she was diagnosed with at age 22, Berry has adopted a strict ketogenic diet. This dietary approach, which she transitioned to nearly two decades ago, involves a low-carbohydrate, high-fat intake and a significant reduction in sugar and refined carbohydrates. She described cutting out candy, desserts, and even very sweet fruits, noting that her palate adjusted over time.
Her current diet primarily consists of steak, lamb, chicken, eggs, and leafy greens. Berry emphasized that this lifestyle change was crucial for her health, stating, "My health was on the line, so I went cold turkey on my sugar-filled ways."
Fitness and Strength Training
Berry's fitness regimen, guided by her personal trainer, involves working out five days a week and includes yoga, strength training, cardio, and martial arts. She has increasingly incorporated weightlifting into her routine since entering menopause, shifting from her previous focus on cardio and bodyweight exercises. "Right now, I'm trying to put muscle mass on, so I lift weights now, and I never used to lift weights before," she explained. She dedicates at least two days a week to lifting heavier weights than she previously did.
Berry also acknowledges the role of genetics and her athletic background, including her time as a gymnast, in contributing to her physical condition. "Part of it is genetics, that's true. I was a gymnast growing up, and that certainly has helped, as I have always been very athletic," she wrote on Instagram in 2018.
Regarding her views on aging, Berry expressed a positive outlook, stating in a June interview on the TODAY show, "I feel stronger, smarter, wiser, more myself, more in control, I'm the best version of myself at the moment and I'm so glad that I'm still here and healthy."
Berry has two children and is currently engaged to musician Van Hunt, whom she began dating in the summer of 2020.