Sir Rod Stewart Details Health Regimen and Drinking Habits Ahead of Final Encore Tour Sir Rod Stewart discusses his wife Penny Lancaster's advice on alcohol, his rigorous athletic training, and health challenges as he prepares for The Final Encore tour. Sir Rod Stewart, the legendary singer aged 81, has publicly disclosed the strict health and lifestyle modifications he is implementing for his upcoming farewell tour, The Final Encore. The announcement of this six-decade career celebration has coincided with revelations about his personal habits, specifically regarding alcohol consumption, which his wife, Penny Lancaster, has explicitly instructed him to reduce. Despite his wife's direct commands to cut back, Sir Rod Stewart admits that he maintains a fondness for having wine with his evening meals, creating a unique tension between his professional longevity and personal indulgences. Alcohol Consumption and Wife's DirectivesPenny Lancaster, who has been married to the rock icon for 19 years and is currently 55 years old, has issued a clear directive to her husband to limit his intake of alcoholic beverages. Sir Rod Stewart acknowledged this constraint in an interview with The Sun, stating that while he wishes he could completely curb his drinking habits, the combination of wine and an evening meal prepared by his personal chef is an experience he cannot resist. He humorously noted that he feels water does not pair adequately with a good meal, preferring instead to have a couple of glasses of wine.However, the situation becomes more complex when Sir Rod Stewart switches to apple martinis, a beverage he admits he can consume in significant quantities. He shared that he often tells his children that his decades in the entertainment industry have allowed him to handle large amounts of alcohol. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop to ensure he can fulfill his responsibilities the following day, balancing his professional duties with his personal lifestyle choices during this final chapter of his career.Athletic Training and Vocal PreparationAs he prepares for The Final Encore, Sir Rod Stewart has adopted a rigorous physical training regimen that mirrors that of a professional athlete. He cycles three times a week and engages in regular swimming sessions, a practice inspired by Frank Sinatra. Sinatra previously advised Sir Rod Stewart to swim underwater to practice holding his breath, a technique designed to enhance his lung capacity and control while singing. This disciplined approach to physical fitness is central to his strategy for maintaining vocal excellence as he nears the end of his touring career.In contrast to his early career in his twenties and thirties, when he would often warm up by drinking whatever was available and sometimes using drugs, Sir Rod Stewart now performs while completely sober. His current pre-show routine involves an hour of vocal warming up and physical exercise. He typically consumes a rum and only after performing his third song, a departure from the chaotic preparation methods of his youth. He asserts that despite being unable to jump around on stage as he used to, his vocal performance is superior now than at any point in his six-decade career.Health Challenges and Altitude IllnessSir Rod Stewart has been open about significant health setbacks that have impacted his recent touring schedule. During a performance in Utah, he experienced severe breathing difficulties while singing at an altitude of 4,300 feet. He revealed that he suffered from bronchitis at the same time as performing above sea level, a combination that left him in a terrible state. He recounted that his staff failed to inform him of the altitude, leading him to perform three fast-paced songs in quick succession, which resulted in him being unable to breathe properly.Despite getting through that painful show, Sir Rod Stewart noted that had he known the altitude, he would not have attempted such an energetic sequence of songs. To mitigate the risk of further illness, he now wears white gloves when out in public because he is paranoid about catching colds and the flu. These health management strategies are critical for Sir Rod Stewart, who has had to navigate the physical demands of performing while ensuring his long-term well-being.The Final Encore Tour ScheduleThe Final Encore tour is officially confirmed as the last rock and roll tour of Sir Rod Stewart's life. This decision follows a period of significant medical challenges, including an acute upper respiratory infection, laryngitis, and vocal strain that forced him to cancel shows in June. Later, he underwent heart surgery last month, which required him to stay off the stage for at least four weeks to recover fully. The singer expressed sadness but acceptance in his September update, thanking fans for their support over his long career.The 21-date European leg of The Final Encore tour is scheduled to begin in Dublin on April 23 next year. The tour will conclude in Hannover, Germany, on July 24, featuring key UK concerts in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. Sir Rod Stewart expressed gratitude for the life his music has given him and hopes to provide fond memories to his audience. He invites fans to join him for what he promises will be one hell of a show, marking the end of his era as a touring artist after more than six decades on the road.