The 7 Health, Fitness and Wellness Habits that Diane Kruger, 45, Swears By

Diane is, unmistakably, a grafter.

'I think I innately strive to do things well and properly and follow through. And when I was younger, I was certainly very guarded; I think that’s part of our [German] culture.’

To prepare for her role in The 355, Diane added boxing and running to her fitness routine. ‘I really hate running,’ she says, ‘I like to walk – I live in New York. We walk everywhere.’

Then, five weeks before filming started, Diane arrived in London, where she embarked on daily two-hour training sessions. Some days it was fight training, in which she cultivated her hitting power with boxing drills and kicks, as well as practice in wrestling, grappling [a combat skill] and basic gymnastics.

She also did military drills, during which she and her co-stars moved with various weapons through a house constructed from empty cardboard boxes.

Serious business!

Diane shared her current weekly gym routine with us, in which she does the elliptical, burpees, box jumps, sit-ups, planks and 20-pound squats.

'It’s the moments when I don’t have to talk to anyone that help me the most,’ she says, of just how important those gym sessions are to her health - both physical and mental.

‘I’m a little socially awkward; I’m not good at schmoozing with people, so I’ve always looked for moments to be by myself.'

We hear you, Diane.

You know those things you catch yourself doing that mean you're struggling? Nail biting, head scratching et al? A-list actresses have them, too. Sometimes, when Diane feels imbalanced, she realises that she’s been clenching her jaw.

‘I always feel tense, like I’m forgetting 5,000 things a day. I often feel like I don’t take enough time to stop for a second and take care of me, so I’m trying to get better about that.’

As for what her self-care looks like? When she can, she books a massage or a foot rub. Tasty.

Of her experience on The 355 she says: 'It felt great to work with girls, and there was no weirdness on set. Jessica [Chastain] made sure all of the actresses were paid the same; we all own a piece of the movie.'

'Everyone felt valued and happy to be there, she continues. 'Regardless of how the film does, it was one of the most complete experiences. Being able to be heard and valued is so important – not just in what I do, but everywhere.'

Yes and yes again to this.

After Diane became a mother, there was a period when no matter how much she (hypothetically) slept, she ‘always looked tired’. So, she started complimenting her daily fare by taking vegan multivitamins, which she says help her feel less depleted.

As any woman will know, the way we think and feel about fitness, food and healthy living is always evolving; the same is true for Diane.

‘I was naturally skinny when I was younger, and I did a lot of ballet and ballroom dancing, so I didn’t work out traditionally,' she recalls. 'But by the time I hit about 32, I felt my metabolism change. That’s when I thought I needed to work out to be able to eat what I wanted – and I dreaded it.’

Working out because you feel like you need to 'work off' calories? Not exactly the strongest - or healthiest - motivation.

But then, as Diane got older and busier, she realised that exercise was time for herself and began to savour it, properly. She educated herself on science-backed training approaches - like how strength training would help keep her metabolism ticking along and then she ‘witnessed my body change’.

The past few years have seen Diane truly embracing that head-to-toe shift and acknowledging the versatility of a body that not only brought her a baby, but rebuilt her for an unprecedented role and consistently provided a mental safe haven.

‘There are so many things you don’t have control over in life,’ she says. ‘But to be able to change your body – there’s something thrilling about that.’

Building physical strength and mental clarity to remind yourself just how powerful you are, in every role you play? Sounds like the healthiest motivation.