James Martin and girlfriend Kim Johnson (Image: Dave Benett, Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Celebrity chef James Martin, who is welcoming TV presenter Guy Martin to his Saturday Morning show on ITV this weekend, has revealed the straightforward exercise that helps him maintain his slender physique and improve his wellbeing after shedding three stone in weight.
Although the star previously claimed on his ITV show that people describe him as “chunky”, including one who told James, “you don’t look as fat as you do on TV”, he dropped from 17st to 14st following his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Since then, James has overhauled his eating habits and transformed his fitness regime to keep the pounds at bay.
Before his lifestyle overhaul, James confessed to eating while travelling and gorging on treats such as Mars bars, pizzas, and takeaways. While he initially eliminated his beloved chocolate indulgences, he slowly brought them back into his eating plan in moderation.
These days, James’ diet comprises around 80 per cent fish, with butter also featuring regularly in his dishes. The 53-year-old also shared the simple exercise he undertakes daily to remain in shape.
Speaking to Best magazine, he said: “I have a gym upstairs, But I haven’t used it though. I do about 20 to 30,000 steps a day walking my dogs.”
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Chef James Martin walks his dogs to stay healthy (Image: Getty Images)
The NHS advocates a brisk 10 to 15-minute walk daily as part of an adult’s recommended 150 minutes of physical activity.
It emphasises walking as a “sometimes overlooked” type of exercise that can enhance stamina, shed calories, and promote cardiovascular health.
James, who runs multiple restaurants and bakeries nationwide alongside his television commitments, has said he dislikes working out, but he still tries to keep his weight in check to help him climb in and out of the racing cars he is so passionate about.
Appearing on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, James said: “It comes down to the fact that I race cars, or I still try and race a few cars and I actually struggle to get out of them now. Getting in them, you kind of fall in them, but then you’ve got to get out of them and it just doesn’t look very good.
“It comes down to the fact that I race cars, or I still try and race a few cars and I actually struggle to get out of them now. Getting in them, you kind of fall in them, but then you’ve got to get out of them and it just doesn’t look very good.”
James Martin hosts ITV’s Saturday Morning (Image: (Image: ITV))
He went on to say: “I don’t go to the gym, [my weight loss] it comes down to the fact that I can get my a**e in and out of a car.”
Now sporting a trimmer physique, James told Best Magazine that he is nevertheless uncomfortable with being dubbed a “sex symbol” by certain admirers.
He is currently in a relationship with personal trainer Kim Johnson, 39, who seemed to confirm rumours that they are engaged when she called James her “fiance” online in January.
On Instagram, Kim shared a photo of a meal that had been prepared by James alongside the caption: “So proud of my fiancé”.