6 Secrets From Meryl Streep for a Timeless and Fit Physique

Here’s how she stays in shape.

Meryl Streep is considered the most talented actress working today. She’s won three Academy Awards, and has been nominated for 21 Academy Awards and 32 Golden Globes. Streep’s credits include Sophie’s Choice, The Iron Lady, Julie & Julia, and Kramer vs. Kramer. She will also appear on the third season of Only Murders In The Building.  How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 6 ways Meryl Streep stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don’t miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Overcomes Doubt

Streep opened up about her career in an interview. She admits that she sometimes has doubts when she is working on a project. However, she also has a way of overcoming this. “I can’t help but start worrying about how I’m going to pull this off and I lose confidence in myself. And each time this happens, I tell my husband that I’m going to have to [tell] the producer that I can’t do the film after all. And each time my husband tells me he’s seen it all before and I never make that call.”

2. She Was Taught To Work Hard

In the interview, Streep talked about how she developed her work ethic. She says that her mother inspired her to work hard and go after things. “My mentor was my mother, because she said to me, ‘Meryl, you’re capable… You can do whatever you put your mind to. If you’re lazy, you’re not going to get it done. But if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.’ And I believed her.”

3. She Doesn’t Let Go Of Her Pain

In an interview, Streep opened up about the death of her partner, actor John Cazale, and how it affected her. She says that she is embracing the pain, without letting it overcome her. “I didn’t get over it, I don’t want to get over it,” she says. “No matter what you do, the pain is always there in some recess of your mind, and it affects everything that happens afterwards. I think you can assimilate the pain and go on without making an obsession of it.”

4. She’s Enthusiastic

Streep says that one of her secrets to her success is being enthusiastic with every role she takes on. “I feel the same excitement and enthusiasm when I’m working today as when I started out. Every character that I play has the same importance as the first one I interpreted. Acting still gives me tremendous pleasure and I love my job as much as ever… I still feel this guilty pleasure when I start imagining myself in the life and feelings of a character.”

5. She’s A Feminist

Streep is open about being a feminist and wanting to support women’s rights. “We should be careful not to overestimate the actual freedom of women today,” she said in an interview. “It’s still more difficult for women to achieve their goals and reach higher level positions in society than it is for men, although we are making progress. I remember when I was 20, my mother said to me, ‘Never learn to type, otherwise you will end up a secretary.’ I still have vivid memories and impressions from when I was starting out that it was difficult for women to pursue their ambitions, and young women were constantly being valued much more for their beauty than for their intellect. We have to change that dynamic.”

6. She Doesn’t Touch Her Face

Journalist Fi Glover revealed one of Streep’s biggest skincare secrets on an episode of the Fortunately podcast. “We were talking about beauty tips, it was a fascinating evening full of political discussion and engagement. She said that her one beauty secret was never to touch her face. She never touches her face.”