GMB star reveals secret six-pack in Superman-style transformation after turning 50
They said being disciplined was 'seductive' and 'infectious.'
Good Morning Britain star Ben Shephard has recreated his Men’s Health cover from 13 years ago as he spoke about staying fit in his 50s.
The ITV presenter, 50, revealed that the key to his workouts was not a specific exercise but instead was ‘consistency.’
He also admitted that health and fitness were ‘easier’ to maintain in his 50s compared to when he was in his 30s.
The This Morning star told Men’s Health UK: ‘I have a deeper understanding of what I have to put myself through to build lean muscle and reduce body fat.
‘To get stronger, physically and mentally, is definitely harder the older you get. In my forties, I was still on the attack. In my fifties, I’m on the defensive. It’s all about how I prolong things now – not going out and smashing it left, right and centre.
‘Proving to yourself you have the discipline to do something, proving you can be accountable to yourself, is incredibly seductive and infectious. The more you get of that, the more you want it.’
Ben said that his abs were ‘made in the kitchen’ (Picture: David Venni / Men’s Health UK) The ITV star also revealed the key to exercise was ‘consistency’ (Picture: David Venni / Men’s Health UK) Ben was recreating his Men’s Health covershoot from 2012 (Picture: Men’s Health)In his cover shoot for the publication, Ben posed shirtless with exercise equipment, including a wall ball and a 10kg weight training disc, but said that his abs were ‘really made in the kitchen.’
He continued: ‘My wife does most of the cooking, and I’m turning around saying, “I’ve got to have enough protein.”
‘[We came up with an agreement that I would get what I needed in terms of protein during the day so I could enjoy our dinners.
‘You can leave stuff out that you don’t necessarily want, but we still want to share that moment in the evening.’
Ben said he ‘values’ his body more in his 50s (Picture: David Venni / Men’s Health UK) He also said he would be up for recreating the shoot for a second time after he turns 60 (Picture: David Venni / Men’s Health UK)Ben said he appreciates his body even more now than when he posed for Men’s Health in 2012.
He said: ‘I think I value the condition I’m in now more than in 2012. I’ve got more lean muscle, that’s for sure.
‘There are parts of my body that are bigger. I think my body fat is a little bit higher than it was then. Back then it was probably single figures and I think I’m about 10.5% to 10.8% now – which is extraordinary when you think I’m 13 years older.’
He also said he ‘loves’ the idea of recreating the Men’s Health shoot for a second time when he turns 60.
Ben balances his diet with his family life (Picture: Men’s Health)Ben’s career kicked off in 1998 when he began presenting Channel 4 spin-off show The Bigger Breakfast, alongside presenters including Melanie Sykes and Dermot O’Leary.
For the broadcaster, he also hosted T4, What’s Cooking and Control Freaks.
Between 2004 and 2006, Ben helmed the first three series of ITV spin-off programme The Xtra Factor.
In 2000, he joined breakfast show GMTV and became Fiona Phillips’ co-host five years later after the departure of Eamonn Holmes.
In 2014, Ben started co-presenting Good Morning Britain alongside Kate Garraway and Susanna Reid.
He quit the show a decade later to host This Morning with Cat Deeley.
The full interview is available in the June issue of Men’s Health UK, on sale now.
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