As a fixture in Hollywood for more than three decades, Jennifer Aniston has become known for her laid-back, easy-going vibe as it pertains to style (she laughed especially hard when I referred to her as a fashion icon) and life in general. That said, there is one area she won’t budge on: her fitness routine. The Friends star has made health and wellness a priority since, well, forever. And at 56-years-old, she’s not slowing down — if anything, she’s just getting stronger.

“God, I hear people talk about aging more than I think about aging, if that makes any sense,” says Aniston to TZR. “I just keep doing what I’m doing and I keep myself strong. I keep myself healthy. I try to get my darn sleep in, which is still my struggle, but as long as I’m being good to my body, I feel like I’m just, I’m living. I don’t feel like I’m aging.”

Mixing things up also seems to be the secret to her success. Aniston has been a longtime fan Pvolve, a fitness method hinged on low-impact, functional movement combined with resistance-based equipment. The actor first came to know the brand back in 2021, after suffering a back injury that required more gentle — yet still effective — workouts. In 2023, she became an advisor and official partner with the brand, helping to curate collections, lead campaigns, and even develop new products. Her new gig also led her to work with Pvolve Director of Training Dani Coleman, who helps plan out Aniston’s workouts, keeping them fresh and interesting.

“Dani changes my workouts every class and nothing is typical,” says Aniston. “She always says, ‘I’m going to meet you where you’re at.’ And some days we’ll really hit the weight training and then some days we’ll hit cardio weights or resistance training. There’s always some form of resistance training or weight training in each workout.”

The actor explains that the strength training has increased over the years, as the need to build muscle becomes more and more important in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. “As we get older, we lose our muscle mass,” Aniston explains. “And that is so important because our bones depend on our muscles to keep strong and keep our skeleton strong so we don’t get frail and brittle bones and fall down and break our hips or suffer osteoporosis and all those awful things that we heard our grandparents talk about.” (In an effort to spread her muscle-building message to the masses, Aniston has launched a Fall Strength Challenge with Pvolve to encourage members to level up with heavier weights or new strength goals. For every person who completes the challenge, Pvolve will donate $1 to Women in Medicine, to advance women’s health research.)

At the risk of sounding cliché, consistency is also crucial here, a rule that can hard to follow when you’re in Aniston’s line of work. At any given moment, the actor is jetting from one location to another for a film, TV series, (you can currently catch her as Alex Levy in Season 4 of The Morning Show on Apple TV+) or high-profile industry event. Even so, she’ll make sure to pack her workout essentials to ensure her body is moving every day.

“I love [Pvolve’s] gliders and I love my P.3 Trainer, but I also love my P.band,” says Aniston, who just unveiled her Longevity Bundle, featuring her favorite travel-friendly equipment from the brand. “I can take everything with me, which is the other fabulous thing. You can take a good little bundle of goodies, put it in your suitcase or in a tote, throw it over your shoulder, and take it with you wherever you go.”

And while wishing for a more toned physique is all well and good, Aniston prefers to aim higher when it comes to her health hopes and dreams. Her wellness ethos is hinged on more balanced holistic health that feeds both her body and brain. “That no pain, no gain [mentality] I think goes right out the window,” says Aniston. “I get a way better workout even if I just do a 30-minute Pvolve [session]. It’s just about activating all of our muscles in our little core muscle groups.” It’s also about recovery, another key component to the Pvolve fitness model. For Aniston, this can present itself as a morning stretch or meditation session, anything that will allow her brain to quiet and drown out the day-to-day noise. “I try very hard to promote and encourage people to, even if it is five minutes, just sit quietly, even if it’s just sitting outside or listening to whatever brings you some calm.”

Nine Favorite Things: I can’t remember the last time I was home for a full week, but here I am—finally staying put, at least for a bit, while I give my ankle time to heal. It’s been a tricky adjustment hobbling around the kitchen. Cooking, filming, and photographing take so much longer than usual. I’m doing my best to be kind to myself and rest when I can…but that’s always a challenge for me!

I’m someone who’s constantly on the move—especially lately with so much travel—which I love. So slowing down has been tough. But I’m trying to find the silver linings, and one big one is that I’ve finally committed to a strength training routine. Everyone on the podcasts is right—you really do feel amazing. I’ve loved building a plan with trainers to make sure I’m lifting properly and staying strong. I’ve been working both in person and virtually, and it’s been such a positive shift. Staying active is key for me—it helps so much with my mindset and just feeling good in general.

So that’s life right now—lots of kitchen time, a lot of meetings, and some exciting projects coming together behind the scenes. I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead later this year and into next!

Oh—and something that completely made my week? The roses Gracie sent finally arrived and they are stunning. My entire house smelled like a rose garden for days. It was the happiest surprise.

What are you all up to now that we’re halfway through summer? Are you traveling, gardening, entertaining, just enjoying a little slower pace? Let me know what you’re loving—and what I can share to help make the rest of summer (and fall!) feel extra special. We’re planning some fun entertaining ideas for the season ahead, and I’m really excited about it!

That’s it for now—lots of good Nordstrom sale finds today too. I may have done a little shopping!

1. Things I’m Loving, Wanting, and Excited to Try.

loving…the Flamingo Estate Manuka Rich Cream. This is magic on the skin. It feels so nice and has the sweetest smell of honey. It’s so soothing. The only thing is, I swear the honey attracts the summer bugs!

burning…the Capri Candle from Hotel Lobby. Just ordered! Will update you all. What candles are you burning?

podcast of the week…Gary Brecka & Sage Brecka On Biohacking Longevity: Decode Your Blood Work, Balance Hormones & Live Healthier For Longer. I found this super informative. Especially regarding supplements and how they can affect you + learning more about what you really need. I just started following both Gary and Sage Brecka. Plus, Gary’s podcast, The Ultimate Human. I loved hearing from Dr. Jonathan Leary: Why Cold Plunge & Sauna Social Clubs Are The Future of Wellness Communities. We’ve got to get back to the basics! 

for summer drinks…try this Pitcher with a Flip Top Lid. It’s not the cutest, but super functional. It would be great for mixing up a batch of my creamy coconut mojitos, peach smash, or in September, my homemade apple cider!

everything in my cart (low)…these Mid Rise Bermuda Short styled just as shown with a white tank and tall boots. Easy and cute!

A great turtleneck and leather jacket from the Nordstrom sale.

listening to…How Jane Birkin Became the Ultimate It-Girl. A fun listen for the weekend.

wearing…this Knot Ring Set. Loving pinky rings at the moment! Also, these Rio Button Earrings. Love them both!

dreaming of going…MASSERIA TORRE MAIZZA, located in beautiful Puglia, Italy. It’s quiet and remote—not touristy at all—surrounded by olive groves with trees that are 1000 to over 2,000 years old, still producing olives to this day.

The olive oil tasting sounds bsolutely fascinating. The nearby ocean towns were so charming, especially Cisternino. One favorite stop was Zio Pietro, has been there for generations. You order your meat from the butcher counter, then sit down to enjoy drinks and non-meat dishes. A special experience.

good to know…The Fashion Person’s Guide to Buying a Designer Bag Secondhand.

everything in my cart (beauty)…since I’m home for a bit, I’m using all my hair products! I love the Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask and the Act+Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask. My hair always look so shiny after using both.

Thinking about trying the Foundation Reparative Hair Mask from ROZ. Anyone tried it and liked it? I’ve heard only good things!

This Luminous Matte Powder Blush from Gucci will always be one of my favorites – partly because of the packaging!

The OPI Nail Lacquer in You Don’t Know Jacques! + Taupe-less Beach are my nail colors come September.

Also…everyone on IG was commenting on my hair. I swear it’s due to what I eat: red meat with organs, goat milk/raw milk, an avocado a day. Plus berries, veggies, and the colostrum (use code HALFBAKEDHARVEST for 30% off first subscription orders) + collagen.

if you need a white button down…definitely scroll through this list.

wanting to try…The Natural REM Mattress from Coyuchi. I feel like I’ve talked about this mattress before. But I’m curious! There’s so much talk about how toxic mattresses are, so investing in organic sheets and a mattress is feeling like a must!

home inspiration…a 1930s Hollywood Hills Estate – so beautiful. I had to follow House of Rolison after I scrolled through this story. Check out their website. Such pretty homes!

everything in my cart (high)…if you’re a bride-to-be, these LOEWE Sequin Sculptural Pumps are pretty cute and fun. I found a similar Sequined Leather Mule from Staud for a way better price! Also, from Staud, these Raffia Sandals. And their Leather Knee Boots are a fall staple + loved by many.

shopping…for Halloween! I know, I know. It’s July. But Anthropologie launched they’re Halloween shop weeks ago! If you have kids, this Halloween candy bowl is adorable. And this Jack-O’-Lantern Kids Plush Toy too – honestly, too cute! I maybe already ordered up a few things – the candles always sell out. I kind of want this Autumnal Puzzle too.

reading…My 10 Favorite Things From Trader Joe’s (right now). I wish we had a Trader Joe’s in my town!

2. Sweet Corn Recipes.

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

One Skillet Street Corn Chicken Enchilada Bake

One Pan Corn and Zucchini Pesto Orzo

White Corn Pizza

Hot Bacon Corn Dip

Street Corn Pasta Salad

Browned Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Ravioli

White Chicken Chili Corn Chowder

Easy White Chicken Chili Corn Dip

Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Lazone

Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp 

3. Nordstrom Sale: favorite home + travel.

home

travel

4. Building a Strength Training Routine.

One of the unexpected positives of not being able to stick to my usual running routine has been finally committing to a real strength training program. I’ve always known how important it is to lift properly—form really matters—so I’ve been taking things slow and building gradually.

Lately, I’ve been rotating between workouts on The Melissa Wood Health App, sessions with local personal trainers, and virtual training through The LIV Method. It’s been really fun to mix things up and learn what I like (and don’t like) when it comes to strength workouts.

I’ve especially loved working with Chelsey, my trainer from The LIV Method. I didn’t think I’d enjoy training over FaceTime, but honestly, it’s been great—and it’s so convenient because I can be anywhere in the world and still get a session in.

Once I’m cleared to do more, I’m excited to add in Pilates and start walking again. I’ve really missed getting outside into the sunshine every day—that’s definitely been the hardest part. But like all the podcasts say, moving your body in this way really does feel so good. It’s been such a positive shift for me!

To support recovery, I’ve been doing a lot of my workouts on the HigherDOSE PEMF Pro Mat. PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy sends electromagnetic waves through the body to help promote healing and reduce inflammation. It’s used for stress relief, better sleep, improved circulation, and muscle recovery.

And finally, nothing new here—but I’m still loving my Infrared Sauna Blanket, especially at night. I usually multitask while I’m inside: editing IG stories, answering texts and emails, and then finishing with legs up the wall.

It might sound like a lot, but I habit stack everything. I do my workout on the PEMF mat, then jump into the sauna blanket while catching up on my phone. It’s all part of the routine now—without adding any extra time to my day!

5. Life Lately.

6. Inspiring Me.

(it might be hard now, but it will get better)

7. Favorite Links I’m Loving.

We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing

Inside The McGee Home Laundry Room

Dream Laundry Room Design

Laundry Rooms From The Studio McGee Archives

This Is Where You Should Rent a Home in 2025

The Next Humans to Land on the Moon Will Wear This Oakley Space Visor

From Chaos to Calm: What to Do When Life Feels Like Too Much

Everything Giada De Laurentiis Cooks in a Day

8. Nordstrom Sale: favorite fashion + beauty finds.

clothes

shoes

beauty 

9. This Week’s Dinners + favorite weekend eats.

Monday: Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

Tuesday: Coconut Curry Basil Chicken

Wednesday: Tomato Cheddar Chicken and Rice Bake

Thursday: Thai Turkey Meatballs

Friday: Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese

Saturday: No-Bake Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Sunday: Easy Blueberry Ginger Cookie Cobbler

In my early and mid-twenties, I jogged several times a week — though whenever asked about my exercise routine, I prefaced any talk of my miles by lamenting how slow I was. Like so much of my youth, I didn’t truly appreciate what I had while I had it. Sure, I wasn’t fast compared to the other runners in the park, but that was the fastest runner that *I* would ever be.

I took a break from regular exercise (in addition to folding laundry, completing a thought, or even trying to look put together) while my kids were young, and when I went back to jogging, I was, unsurprisingly, even slower. Sure, my speed and endurance increased with practice, which was rewarding to see. But around age 42, I realized my average times were starting to dip.

This gradual slowdown with age is to be expected, and explains why runners compete in races by age category. A 2018 study using data from world records found about a 1% decline in the five-year period between ages 35-39, and a “linear decline” after that, meaning that every year, elite runners get a bit slower. This applies to us non-elites and to non-runners as well — age gradually slows us down. Our VO2 max, a measure of how efficiently the body uses oxygen, declines with age. At the same time, we are slowly losing muscle mass.

But for those of us with female reproductive organs, there’s another significant physical change that usually begins in our forties and impacts our bodies, mental health, and relationship to exercise: perimenopause.

The Perimenopause Effect

“By definition, your menopause is just one day,” Dr. Ariana Sholes-Douglas, an ob/gyn and author of The Menopause Myth: What Your Mother, Doctor and Friends Haven’t Shared About Life After 35, tells ScaryMommy, noting that perimenopause symptoms can begin long before that day. “You can technically not be menopausal until you’re 48, 50, but you can have symptoms up to 10 years prior.”

She added that many women think their symptoms aren’t related to menopause because they’re still having their period, but symptoms often peak before the last menstrual cycle. In addition, symptoms may continue post-menopause, meaning the whole process can impact your well-being for an entire phase of life.

What kinds of symptoms are we talking about? A truly mind-boggling mix that proves there is almost no bodily function not impacted by sex hormones.

Sholes-Douglas says that perimenopause symptoms include everything from classics like hot flashes, insomnia, and irritability, to lesser-known issues like a burning sensation in the mouth or “frozen shoulder” — part of musculoskeletal syndrome which, Sholes Douglas explains, “includes the joint pain, the decrease in muscle mass, the decrease in bone density, and then a very specific symptom that tends to affect the shoulder joint.”

The main culprit behind all of these is fluctuations in estrogen levels, though other sex hormones like testosterone also play a role. “I explain it as kind of like a reverse puberty,” Sholes-Douglas says. “During puberty, we’re having erratic hormones that are going up, and during perimenopause, we’re having erratic hormone production that’s going down.”

Sensing the Shift

Since perimenopausal symptoms vary drastically from one person to the next, it’s hard to predict how you might need to modify your exercise routine. Running coach Amanda Brooks underscores that each person’s body is impacted differently by perimenopause, saying, “Some people have a much bigger reaction to the shifting hormones, and some people just kind of flow through it.”

But she said it’s fairly common, regardless, for shifts in mood and energy to affect a person’s training. Sometimes, she points out, “people who’ve been consistent runners forever suddenly just feel unmotivated. They’re kind of sad, they don’t feel great, and so that shifts their desire to go run.”

Changes in mental health, even more subtle ones, can understandably impact a person’s motivation, according to Dr. Juliet McGrattan, a physician and running expert. “Things like losing your confidence, feeling more self-conscious,” can take their toll, she says, “especially if you’re having other symptoms like gaining weight or an increase in your sweating.”

It can be difficult to connect the dots, especially if you’re still having your period. “These aren’t necessarily the kind of things that people think, ‘Oh, well, that’s the perimenopause,’” McGrattan says.

The joint pain and sleep issues that Sholes-Douglas mentioned can also make working out a challenge, as can injuries, which are another risk that increases with age.

What You Can Do

Whether or not you’re a runner, these changes can be frustrating. But by making some wise adjustments, you can continue to exercise — and even enjoy it. Here are our experts’ top tips.

Start Strength Training

When it comes to the natural loss of muscle mass that happens as we age, there is a great deal of individual variation, much of which is based on genetics, McGrattan shares. But one environmental factor we can control is exercise, and the way to gain muscle mass, as well as boost other measures of health like bone density, is to do strength training.

McGrattan pointed out that the World Health Organization recommends two sessions of “muscle strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity,” in addition to 150 or more minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week for adults.

“There isn’t actual guidance on how long [strength training sessions] should be, but I would say aiming for about 30 minutes,” McGrattan advises, adding, “if that is not possible for you, then break it up and do 10 minutes every day or however it’s going to fit into your life.”

If you’re a runner looking to increase your speed, you’ll probably want to aim to “lift heavy,” Brooks says. When you’re new to strength training, though, exercises that use your own body weight — planks, push-ups, squats, lunges — are a great place to start. “And they work as part of your warm-up prior to a run, too,” Brooks says.

If you have the resources to hire a trainer, perimenopause is a great time to do so. They can tailor a strength training workout for your needs, help you prevent injury, and boost motivation.

Oh, you can also set aside any worries about weightlifting turning you into the Hulk. “Women are often afraid of looking too muscly, being too bulky,” McGrattan says. “That’s really not going to happen unless you start lifting very heavy and you’re really increasing your protein.”

Make Adjustments to Your Routine

As you age, “Your recovery processes slow down a little bit,” McGrattan explains. So you may need more rest than you used to.

Don’t shrug off the importance of preparation, either. Warming up is something “a lot of us get away with skipping in our 20s,” Brooks observes, but as we age, we need it more to prevent injury. “It gets the heart ready, it gets your joints lubricated, it gets your muscles to stop feeling so stiff, so that when you start [exercising], nothing’s going to pull.”

Like strength training, incorporating cross-training can help prevent injury, according to Brooks, who adds that folks should be open to adjusting based on their mood and energy levels.

McGrattan advises “doing things when you feel good and then dialing back and just having a bit of self-compassion when it’s not such a good day,” reassuring, “It’s the hormones, it’s not you, and it won’t be like this forever.”

Fuel Up and Hydrate

Brooks underscores that it’s important to make sure we’re feeding ourselves adequately, being mindful that we may not feel thirst or hunger the same way that we did when we were younger. You want to make sure you’re getting enough protein when you’re working on building muscle. Foods like eggs, chicken, tofu, black beans, salmon, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt are all good sources. For those of us in the 40-50 age range, the recommendation is 1-1.2 grams of daily protein per kilogram of body weight.

You may have noticed that there are a lot of dietary supplements marketed at the perimenopausal crowd. Spoiler alert: There’s no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.

“There are a lot of people trying to make money out of women in menopause, and I think we’re really vulnerable because we want quick fixes,” McGrattan cautions. In terms of supplements, she suggests most of us could use an extra boost of vitamin D, and vegetarians/vegans may also need B12. Women who are training hard and/or having heavy periods may need iron supplementation. Your primary care doctor can check your levels of all of these.

Find a Knowledgeable Doctor, and Advocate for Yourself

Hormone replacement therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of peri- and post-menopause, but you’ll need to find a doctor who is trained in this particular area of women’s health. Not all are. Shoales-Douglas recommends menopause.org as a resource for folks looking for a provider.

“I think the number one thing is being informed and then being intentional about having a provider that is an expert in that space,” she says.

Play the Long Game

Your fitness goals will need to change as you age. Chasing a personal record may take a back seat to ensuring that you stay active and pain-free.

Shifting from a “performance perspective” to a “health and longevity perspective” can help motivate you to make changes, Brooks says. For example, knowing the value of strength training, you might be more willing to head to the gym instead of going on a run.

As McGrattan reminds us, “It’s not primarily about how you look and feel now, it’s about your long-term health.”