More than 20 years after undergoing gastric bypass surgery and losing over 100 pounds, Al Roker says consistency helps him stay fit at 70.
During an interview with People published on Tuesday, the “Today” host spoke about his workout and diet routines.
“My mantra is ‘something is better than nothing,'” Roker told People. “Maybe you’ll be running marathons or entering weightlifting contests, but I think most people just want a level of fitness that improves their quality of life.”
In the mornings, he does 10 minutes of weight training and 20 minutes on the treadmill. During warmer months, he also takes a 30 to 45-minute walk in Central Park.
“It’s not so much to bulk up but to keep your bones strong, keep your flexibility, which is important as you age,” Roker said.
He can carry his granddaughter with ease now, but he knows that might not be the case as she gets older.
“But you know, in a couple of years, she’s going to be a bigger load. So ‘grampa’ wants to be able to carry her up and down the stairs,” he said.
To hit his daily 10,000-step goal, Roker tries to keep moving throughout the day, with walking desks in his office and dressing room. He also walks around in his office building at 30 Rockefeller Center, where the “Today” studios are located.
“They’re like walking snacks,” Roker said. “You just fit it in.”
In terms of diet, he eats a simple breakfast that consists of yogurt, granola, and the occasional banana. Lunch is heavy on protein, and he eats less red meat than he used to.
Some of his favorite foods include ribeye steak with creamed spinach or baked potato, and an apple crisp with vanilla ice cream — and he never denies himself the pleasure of enjoying them
“Moderation rather than deprivation is better in the long run,” Roker said. “If you deprive yourself of stuff that you like, eventually you’re going to snap and go crazy.”
Roker says he also weighs himself every day, but doesn’t stress over the number on the scale.
“There’s no magic bullet” when it comes to losing weight, he said. At the end of the day, “you’re still going to have to put in the work.”
“Sometimes you have to push yourself to do the things you need to do,” Roker added.
Roker is just one of many celebrities opening up about the wellness routines they rely on to stay fit.
Dick Van Dyke, 99, says his secret to living a long life is going to the gym 3 times a week.
“I’ve often tried to think, ‘What did I do to live this long?’ and I can’t figure out,” he said. “The only thing is I’ve always exercised. We still go to the gym three days a week and work out.”
Helen Mirren, 79, says she swears by a 12-minute military workout to stay in shape.
“It is the exercise I have done off and on my whole life. It just very gently gets you fit,” Mirren said.
Matthew McConaughey’s mother, Kay McConaughey, 93, says that avoiding stress has helped her age well.
“I was really popular and I had a zest for life, and stress is not a word I can apply to me, ever,” she said.
A representative for Roker did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
