Vivica A. Fox ‘Went Down’ More Than 5 Sizes During “Kill Bill” Prep: ‘I Thought We Were Training for the Damn Olympics’

Vivica A. Fox is recalling how she got into fighting shape for Kill Bill.

During an interview with the Cocoa Butter YouTube channel, published on Jan. 22, the 60-year-old actress reminisced about some of her notable movie roles — including 1996's Set It Off and 2001's Two Can Play That Game. She also opened up about one of her most iconic roles, starring as Vernita Green in the martial arts action film Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and its sequel (2004), both written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Fox said preparing to step into the shoes of elite assassin Vernita, also known as Copperhead, required months of rigorous training — especially as she did nearly all of her own stunts — which led her to lose quite a bit of weight.

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As a scene played showing Fox and costar Uma Thurman (The Bride) sparring in an intense fight sequence, Fox said, "This whole thing, this was six months of training. Six months."

"I literally went from like a size 8/10 down to a size 2. I couldn't even hold onto the weight," she continued. "I thought we were training for the damn Olympics or something — it was crazy."

While it was grueling, she recalled liking the way her physique was changing. "But then when I saw how tight and right my body looked, it was quite rewarding," she said, joking, "So, Quentin, thanks for the great bod. Appreciate that!"

Fox noted how "it was so cool to see girls brawling unapologetically on camera."

"The choreography [of the fight scenes] was vicious," she added.

Fox also proudly told Cocoa Butter that she did all her own stunts, with the exception of one. "And I wanted to try it," she explained. "But [Tarantino] would not let me do falling into the glass table because he was afraid I would get cut and, sure enough, my stunt double got four stitches."

"But I really wanted to try it," she continued. "I didn't train for six months to like go, ‘Cut!’ "

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Last year, just months ahead of her 60th birthday, Fox shared some of the secrets behind her youthful look.

“I do my best to drink my water, to take care of myself and to be happy,” she told PEOPLE in May. “I've got wonderful, wonderful ladies that I can look up to who got older and better: Tina Turner, Sophia Loren. And it's like all the baby boomers are getting older and looking fine as hell.”

Related: Vivica A. Fox Reveals 60th Birthday Plans and New Project with Empire Costar Jussie Smollett (Exclusive)

Fox also shared her hope that the new decade would be her best yet.

“I am so comfortable in the skin that I'm in,” she said. “I am so at peace with turning 60. I mean, a lot of people are like, ‘Oh my God,’ but I feel like I'm going to be sizzling at 60, even sexier at 70 and awesome at 80, Lord willing.”

As for her career, she added, it's busier than ever — and she's embracing all the opportunities that come her way.

“I had no idea that this chapter of my life that I would be this booked, busy and blessed. And I'm grateful,” the Not Another Church Movie star told PEOPLE. “I'm so busy I don't even know what to do with myself. I'm acting, directing, producing, got a hairline, got to work on a clothing line. I do have a lot of options to be honest with you.”

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