It’s ok to have body inspirations. Comparing yourself to them is perhaps not such a good practice, but to be inspired to reach the best shape for you, is quite a healthy thing in my opinion.

Often A-List actors achieve their transformations specifically for a role, which in turn means it is achieved relatively quickly and intensely. However they choose to do this, it is part of their job, and so they can prioritise this fully for the period of time that they have to achieve this. This isn’t always the case for us mere mortals! It certainly isn’t for me, anyway! I have found that the progress that I have made has been slow and consistent. It involves making lifestyle changes instead of fad dieting. Exercise has become part of my routine and I look forward to the majority of workouts (we’re only human so I won’t lie and say ALL of them!)

The consistency has retained my shape, even with off weeks and holiday eating because being active is just part of who I am these days. But trust me when I say that I wasn’t always like this! In fact I remember speaking to my trainer Tom (TPM Health and fitness) right back when we began working together, and being very concerned that if I missed a session I would probably just give up – I was pressurising myself to go every day and so I was a stunting my own development. I quickly learned that I could trust myself more than that!

I used to work in an office where we decided one New Year that we would put up our goal Body on a pin board by our desk to remind us of what we were trying to achieve.

Nyle Di Marco was my choice. His body is in great shape. He’s not overly built, but has good definition. His body is incredible but it also somehow felt like it was achievable. Instead of working through lunch sat at my desk, Niall would remind me to go for a walk, then later a jog, and later still a run. We would have a five minute break each morning and the majority of the office would do planks and build up our times. Nyle reminded me that I didn’t need the sugar in my tea! Other than my immediate family, my relationship with that picture of Niall was one of the healthiest I had!

Milo Ventimiglia is an actor who I have seen in a number of shows, and whose casting changed significantly as his body transformed. With Milo though it didn’t seem like this was building muscle in the short term for a part – quite the opposite actually. You could just sense that this was his lifestyle. Being in good shape is part of the job, but it isn’t a quick fix scenario

“It’s a lot of classic bodybuilding mixed with primitive movement,” Ventimiglia told Men’s Journal during his November cover shoot.

He filled out his frame and built a strong physique for himself which seems to develop over time. Consistency, consistency consistency.

I always wanted to be blond. Ryan Gosling is such a talent, and his body is on point. He has a naturally slender body type and is always toned. Yes he has a six pack and yes he has a built chest, but he is really well proportioned, which has always been a focus for me. Ryan is the sort of shape that I always aspired to have… but a reality check needed to be put in place – I am just broader framed! Ryan also has an inner confidence or swagger to him which is something I have historically lacked. Does he have the dream abs? Absolutely. But is this a body I could achieve and maintain? Unlikely.

Sterling K Brown has that lean runners build with muscle atop. He has a very practical build and a slim frame to boot. There is very little fat on him and it all looks very natural. It doesn’t seem like he’s focussed on building unnecessary size and instead it’s about dynamic movement. Like Gosling, there is a confidence in his posture and he comes across as someone who is very comfortable in their own skin. a classic inverted triangle shape with the shoulders tapering down into a narrow waist. He looks great. And he’s a brilliant actor too – he’s got it all!

When Sam Claflin played Finnick Odair in Catching fire, he had noticeably put on some size, frankly his shoulders are built! He utilises this broad frame to put across how physically strong he is and an imposing competitor to be up against. As a broad guy, the shoulder musculature is where I would like to develop, to make the most of my frame. The traps and pecs are all in good proportion and the tone is on point. It is sometimes difficult to separate the actor from the character, and Finnick is one of my favourites, but from a purely aesthetic sense, Sam was the perfect choice to balance the sensitivity and the brutish qualities of Finnick, on screen.

Since working on some previous blog posts for David’s Autograph for M&S range, he has been an idol for me, both in terms of physique and entrepreneurial spirit. As a model David’s posture is phenomenal and he has great definition across the board. He also exhibits a casual swagger and a sense of style. I aim to have his abs and that has been a mental goal for me for many years – needless to say it will be many more years before I am even close! (But I will get there!)

Whatever your inspirations are, remember comparison is never the way. Use them to spur you on your own journey, not to make a replica of them!

Do let me know what your body inspirations are and why, in the comments.

And please show this blogpost some love too!