Dieting when you’re a chef sounds like an impossible mission – how on earth do you shed the pounds when you’re surrounded by so much food?
Well, somehow Gordon Ramsay has managed to do it, as the Scottish cooking guru, 51, has lost an incredible FOUR STONE over the years.
And in a candid new interview, Ramsay has lifted the lid on his motive for going down a few trouser sizes.
The Hell’s Kitchen star revealed that he was terrified his fitness-fanatic wife Tana would walk out on him.
These days, Ramsay weighs in at nearly 14 stone, but he remembers only too vividly how he used to be.
He told the Mail on Sunday: “I was overweight – 18 stone. I looked like a sack of [expletive]. I look at the pictures and think: ‘How did Tana stay around?’ Because Tana has got better looking and more gorgeous. And there she is, getting in bed with a fat [expletive].
“I didn’t have a figure. I didn’t feel that good. After working my [expletive] off and achieving a lot, I wanted to get in serious shape.”
To attain that target, Ramsay sought advice from a man called Will Usher, a former Army captain and a champion triathlete.
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While Ramsay wanted to launch himself straight into a 70:3 Ironman endurance event – which comprises a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run – Usher warned the chef that it was too soon.
Instead, he planned out a military-style regime for Ramsay that included cycling, swimming, rowing and core strength work.
As well as fearing that he’d fall foul of his wife, there was another reason why Ramsay wanted to get into shape.
His father, also called Gordon, died of a heart attack aged just 53, and the chef didn’t want to go the same way.
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The dad-of-four said: “That’s only a couple of years’ time. I’ve got this reminder to get fit – it’s scary. I get the fear on a daily basis.”
No matter what the reason for losing weight, it’s been a remarkable success – and Ramsay is finally able to take part in those Ironman competitions.