Sofia Lauren: How Willpower Battles Time

On September 20 this year, Sophia Loren will turn 92. Do you think such an age can remain physically and mentally in perfect shape? She is one of those who look like they were born right here—not in 1934, but in 2026. Is it entirely possible to stay like that if every day you start at 6:00 AM and do 45 minutes of calisthenics?

She doesn’t just do it. She speaks about it as a philosophy of life. In 2020, she told Haute Living: “I’ve always been someone who puts workouts first.” And to this day, she wakes up at six and does calisthenics—a form of strength training. She uses her own body as resistance to build muscles. This is not just an exercise. It’s a way to build structure and discipline in daily life.

The scientist Liz Nelson explains: these workouts help prevent loss of muscle mass, improve metabolism and bone mineral density. Proven—lower blood pressure, improve lipid profile. But not only for women in menopause, but for everyone. Calisthenics are also linked to reduced lower back pain, arthritis pain, fibromyalgia.

If she is in perfect shape—why? Not just from food or sleep. She says: “My exercises give structure and focus to my daily life.” Anyone can find an excuse not to do anything. To rest. But she—on the opposite pole. She finds reasons to get out, to walk at least one hour. It’s not just fitness. This is a way of life.

She has long said: “I prefer to eat pasta and drink wine than to be size zero.” And she hides nothing. She speaks openly about her youthful appearance: “There’s no secret. This is the face I was born with.” She loves to stay as she was born. Beauty, according to her—“what you feel inside and reflect in your eyes.”

Her career started in 1954 with the film "The Gold of Naples." And it has never stopped. In 2024, she told Deadline: “I don’t want to think about legacy. I want to think about my next film.” And added: “I’ll think about legacy after I retire—and I hope I’ll never retire.”

And how did she succeed? She says: “I don’t have a backup plan.” “In this way, when you face an insurmountable challenge—you can’t take the easier path,” she says. “You don’t have Plan B. Only Plan A.”

Is everything so simple? Say that these are easy choices—to push forward. But there is always a path that’s easier. She doesn’t take it. Every day, every morning. With the first dawns. With the first misty and cold air. And her posture—straight, flat on one side, calves on the ground.

Is this the answer? Not to retire. Not to think about legacy. Every time seeing a film that will come next. And doing calisthenics—at least 45 minutes.

But... what happens with those who can’t? How did “Plan B” look for those who didn’t have the chance to afford such a stance?