LOS ANGELES, Jan 5: Dame Helen Mirren has shared the 12-minute military workout that has helped her maintain her incredible physique for over six decades. The 79-year-old Oscar-winning British actress, renowned for her ageless beauty and glamorous red carpet appearances, recently revealed the exercise routine she has followed daily since she was 19.

In an interview with Woman's Weekly, Dame Helen spoke about her belief in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) women's exercise regime, a 12-minute workout. She explained that this fitness plan doesn’t require expensive gym memberships, as it starts with simple movements and becomes progressively more challenging. Despite her dedication, she admitted that she has never advanced beyond the second level of the program, calling it "a nice little exercise programme."

The workout, known as the XBX routine, was developed by Dr. Bill Orban in the 1950s to improve the fitness of new female recruits in the Canadian Air Force. It consists of ten basic exercises, arranged in progressive levels of difficulty. The program includes four charts, each with ten exercises, and has 48 levels in total. The exercises are performed in the same order and within specified time limits. Simple movements such as toe touches, knee raises, arm circles, and lateral bending are included, each performed for 30 seconds. The official booklet for the program claims that with just 12 minutes a day, women can achieve physical fitness in an enjoyable way.

In November, Dame Helen stunned on the red carpet at the L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration, wearing a sequinned lavender gown with a sheer mesh skirt and demure neckline. She accessorized with purple diamond drop earrings and kept her silver hair off her face with a thin headband. As a L'Oréal ambassador since 2014, she looked radiant in the glamorous ensemble.

In October, Dame Helen spoke out about the need to combat age discrimination. She expressed concern over new research from Age UK, which revealed that a third of people aged 65 and older have experienced ageism. She called it "upsetting and unfair" and emphasized that attitudes towards older individuals need to change. Age UK’s report, based on findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, highlighted that millions of people face negative experiences due to their age, ranging from disrespect to threats. The charity also noted that some people experience multiple forms of discrimination, such as sexism and racial or religious prejudice.

Dame Helen, who serves as an ambassador for Age UK, stressed the importance of recognizing the needs of older individuals in health and social care, as well as addressing poverty and inequality. She concluded by saying, "Everybody, regardless of their age, should feel included and valued," and called for a change in attitudes toward older people, noting that it is in everyone’s best interest to ensure they are respected as individuals.