Quote of the day by Lucy Liu: 'Ten years of Pilates has really changed...' Life lessons from inspiring quote on self-discovery, physical strength, awareness, growth, patience and longevity

Quote of the day by Lucy Liu comes from her experience with Pilates and the changes she noticed after practising it for years. In a 2013 interview with Fitness Magazine, Liu spoke about how Pilates helped her discover muscles she did not know she had. She also said the practice made her feel longer and leaner. For Liu, the change was not limited to appearance. She connected the routine with feeling smarter, stronger and more confident than she had in her twenties. Her words point to the role of consistency, patience and long-term care in personal growth.

Quote of the day today

Lucy Liu said:


“Ten years of Pilates has really changed my body for the better.”

The statement was part of a longer comment about her experience with Pilates. Liu said, “Pilates introduced me to muscles I never even knew I had. Soon I started to feel longer and leaner.”

The full statement connects physical change with a process that took years. It does not describe a short exercise programme or a quick result. Liu referred to ten years of practice when explaining how the routine affected her body. The quote was featured in the March 2013 issue of Fitness Magazine. A USA Today report from February 2013 also covered Liu's comments about Pilates and exercise.

Quote meaning and relevance

The quote is about long-term commitment. Liu's reference to ten years shows that physical change can come through a habit maintained over a long period. Pilates is a form of exercise that uses controlled movements and focuses on areas such as the core, posture, balance and flexibility. Liu's comments describe how regular practice helped her become more aware of her muscles and physical ability.

The phrase “changed my body for the better” can also be understood in terms of health and physical function. The focus is not only on appearance. It includes strength, movement, awareness and confidence.

There are several points that can be taken from Liu's statement:

• Long-term commitment: Ten years of practice shows that meaningful change can require time.
• Physical transformation: Regular Pilates can work the core and other muscle groups while supporting flexibility and body awareness.
• Positive growth: Liu described the change as an improvement in how her body felt and functioned.
• Consistency: A routine followed over time can have a different effect from a short-term approach.
• Patience: The quote shows that results do not always appear within days or weeks.

Life lessons from the quote

The quote offers lessons that can apply beyond exercise.

Patience can support long-term goals

Liu's reference to ten years shows the role of patience. People often want immediate results when they begin a new routine. Physical strength and changes in movement can take time. A long-term approach allows a person to build a habit and continue working toward a goal without expecting an immediate result.

Consistency can matter more than quick fixes

The experience described by Liu points to regular practice. A person does not need to depend on a short period of intense effort if the goal is to build a lasting routine. Consistency can apply to exercise, learning, work and other personal goals. Small actions repeated over time can create changes that are difficult to achieve through occasional effort.

Self-discovery can happen through practice

Liu said Pilates introduced her to muscles she did not know she had. This part of the quote is about self-discovery. Trying a new physical activity can make people more aware of how their bodies move. It can also show them abilities they had not noticed before. Self-discovery is not limited to physical activity. New experiences can reveal skills, interests and areas for personal development.

Mind-body awareness can improve with attention

Pilates involves controlled movements and attention to body position. Liu's comments suggest that the practice helped her become more aware of her physical condition. Mind-body awareness means paying attention to how the body moves and responds. This awareness can help a person understand movement, strength and physical limits.

Personal growth takes time

Liu connected her Pilates experience with feeling smarter, stronger and more confident than she had in her twenties. This shows another part of her statement. Personal growth does not stop at a particular age. People can continue learning about themselves and developing new habits throughout their lives.

Taking care of physical health can support longevity

Liu's comments also offer a lesson about looking after the body over time. Exercise is one part of maintaining physical health. A consistent routine can support strength and mobility as people get older. The broader lesson is to invest time in habits that can support health over many years instead of focusing only on immediate results.

Lucy Liu's career and background

Lucy Alexis Liu was born on December 2, 1968, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City. She is an American actress, producer and artist. Liu became known to television audiences through her role as Ling Woo in the Fox legal comedy-drama series Ally McBeal, which ran from 1998 to 2002.

She later appeared in films including Payback, Charlie's Angels, Shanghai Noon, Chicago, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Kill Bill: Volume 2, Lucky Number Slevin, Watching the Detectives, The Man with the Iron Fists, Set It Up, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Presence.

In 2025, Liu received attention for her performance in the psychological drama Rosemead. She also appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2 in 2026 as Sasha Barnes. On television, Liu played Dr. Joan Watson in the CBS crime drama Elementary, which ran from 2012 to 2019. She also appeared as Simone Grove in Why Women Kill.

Liu has also worked as a voice actor. She voiced Master Viper in the first three Kung Fu Panda films. She voiced Silvermist in the Tinker Bell series and also worked on projects including Maya & Miguel, Mulan II and Strange World.

She received two Critics' Choice Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards and was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2019, she became the second Chinese American woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life and education

Liu is the youngest of three children. Her mother, Cecilia, worked as a biochemist. Her father, Tom Liu, was a civil engineer who also sold digital clock pens. Her parents came from Beijing and Shanghai. They immigrated to Taiwan as adults before meeting in New York. Liu has an older brother, John, and an older sister, Jenny.

Liu has said that she grew up in a diverse neighborhood. She spoke Mandarin at home and began studying English when she was five. As a child, she studied kali-eskrima-silat as a hobby. She attended Joseph Pulitzer Middle School, also known as I.S.145, and later graduated from Stuyvesant High School.

Liu initially attended New York University before transferring to the University of Michigan. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian languages and cultures.

Her background, education and career provide context for her public life. Her comments about Pilates are one part of a broader career that has included acting, producing, art and voice work.

Why the quote remains relevant?

The central idea in Liu's quote is that change can come from maintaining a routine over time. Her reference to ten years puts the focus on patience and consistency. The statement also moves beyond physical appearance. Liu discussed discovering muscles, becoming aware of her body and feeling stronger and more confident.

For people looking at the quote as a life lesson, the message is simple. A habit does not have to produce a major change immediately to have value. Continuing that habit can produce results over time.

The quote of the day today can therefore be read as a reminder to focus on steady progress. Whether the goal involves fitness, education, work or personal development, long-term effort can play a role in reaching it.