THE MOST FAMOUS AND FIT MALE ACTORS OVER 40 AND THEIR SECRET TO STAYING FIT AND BEATING AGING

We admit that celebrities probably have some major advantages when it comes to staying healthy as they age.

Being in great shape after 40 is easy for those with personal chefs and trainers, and time and money to spend on their health, right? In reality, staying healthy as you age takes work, no matter who you are.

Check out some of Hollywood's healthiest men over 40 -- and their secrets to staying physically and mentally fit, regardless of age.

Hugh Jackman. Have you ever wondered how Wolverine stays so, well, jacked? In a nutshell, Hugh Jackman, 43, is a fitness machine. Besides swimming in the ocean daily, running the odd seven or eight miles, and dancing on Broadway, Jackman likes to stay fit with boxing. 

He recently told The Huffington Post. 

"A boxing class is about as good a workout as you can have.  If you need to lose a little bit of weight and you want to do it in a way that is tough but engaging and not boring, boxing is the way to do it." 

George Clooney. Although the Oscar-winning actor has tackled some health problems -- including malaria and a tear in his dura mater (the tough membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord) -- George Clooney is still healthy and in excellent shape at age 50.

One of his secrets? Bikram, or hot, yoga.  This form of exercise can be particularly grueling, given the 105-degree temperature at which it's done, but it can be great for toning and building upper body and core strength. 

Clooney said in a 2005 interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer. 

"Everybody has that year in their life when you age a decade.  But I'll whip it."

And so far, he's doing all right. 

Rob Lowe, 47, is aging well partly because he's conquered his greatest vice: alcohol. The actor, who is 20 years sober, told Men's Fitness that he still seeks the thrill alcohol gave him, but has managed to find it in things like helicopter skiing and big-wave surfing. 

But Lowe wasn't always so healthy. He began shaping up a few years ago after spotting himself in a magazine's "Worst Beach Bodies" article. 

Now living an alcohol-free, low-carb life, Lowe has lost more than half of his body fat and rivals men half his age in health (and looks). 

Richard Gere. Whether he's sitting cross-legged in a temple in Indonesia or on the beach in St. Barts, Richard Gere, 62, meditates daily to keep his mind healthy as he ages. 

Gere, a longtime Buddhist, told USA Today. 

"Meditation helps me set my motivation for the day."

His goal is "to become happier." The ancient practice can help reduce stress, pain, and high blood pressure. 

Barack Obama.  With all the challenges President Barack Obama has faced, quitting smoking might be one of the hardest. Obama, 50, used to light up about five times a day, but is now tobacco-free, according to a recent medical exam. 

Michelle Obama said on CBS's 60 Minutes in 2007.  

"I hate it.  That's why he doesn't do it anymore. I'm proud to say, I outed him. I'm the one who outed him on the smoking."

Quitting smoking can help you sleep better, strengthen bones, prevent premature aging, and reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction. 

Will Smith, 43, has always kept himself in great physical shape -- but he keeps his mind active too. 

In a speech at the 2005 Kids' Choice Awards, Smith said the key to a happy, healthy life is "running and reading." He added that,

"The reason reading is so important ... [is that] there is no problem you can have that someone hasn't already solved, and wrote about it in a book." 

Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that, as you age, reading decreases your risk of developing mild memory loss by 30% to 50%. To stay as sharp as the actor formerly known as Fresh Prince, consider becoming a regular at your local library. 

Brad Pitt, 47, has one simple secret to staying fit: active family vacations. Whether it's surfing in Cancun, zip-lining in Budapest, or pushing swings in Italy, Pitt is frequently spotted out and about playing with his six children. 

He watches what he eats too. According to ThatsFit, Pitt also adheres to a low-carb, low-sugar diet that helps maintain his lean and healthy physique as he ages.

Patrick Dempsey, 45, lifts weights every week and is an avid bike rider. He's frequently spotted riding, and told Men's Health that he likes to get in about 100 miles a week. 

Bike riding can burn 500-plus calories per hour and help keep your body strong. 

Dempsey loves biking so much he started The Dempsey Challenge in 2009. In this annual event, participants bike, run, or walk to raise funds for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.  

Daniel Dae Kim. Lost and Hawaii Five-0 star Daniel Dae Kim, 43, who was always active in his youth, now partially thanks his fish-heavy diet for helping him stay in shape. 

Kim, 43, told Men's Health this year. 

"I've eaten more ahi tuna and raw seafood in the past few years than I ever have.  It's lean protein, not processed -- and it's satisfying." 

By substituting fatty meats with lean protein such as tuna, chicken, or turkey, Kim can save about 50 extra calories for each serving. 

COMMENTARY:    Those are some incredible youthful-looking and very fit male actors.  

Courtesy of an article dated December 3, 2011 appearing in AOL Healthy Living

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