Ed Sheeran opens up about his physical transformation: “I’ve lost 14 kilos by quitting drinking alcohol”
The artist spoke to ‘Men’s Health’ about how becoming a father helped him to lose weight, exercise regularly and stick to a healthier diet.
Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest artists on the planet, and at 34, he seems to be enjoying a full‑on second wind. In his personal life, the singer has completely transformed his lifestyle—and the results are hard to miss.
That’s why he’s front and center on the January cover of Men’s Health, showing off a noticeably more muscular, tattoo‑covered physique. Inside the issue, Sheeran opens up about the dramatic physical and mental shift he’s undergone.
Fatherhood the trigger to change old habits
Over the past five years, he’s dropped about 30 pounds and reshaped his habits. “I always felt terrible,” he admits. “I’d wake up, look in the mirror and feel awful, and then I became a father..”
Sheeran reflects on his past, saying that “ten years ago, I was drinking beer and eating kebabs all the time.” Becoming a father, he says, pushed him to rethink everything. “I remember Lyra was two weeks old and my best friend was visiting and we shared a bottle of wine. I went to bed, and Lyra woke up 20 minutes after I had fallen asleep. I woke up and thought, ‘Damn, I shouldn’t drink if I’m going to feel that bad.’ It was all because I wanted to be a responsible father and feel and look better,.’”
Regular exercise and a healthier diet
From there, he committed to a strict fitness routine and cut out alcohol for a long stretch. “I stayed sober and kept working out. I did a ton of reformer Pilates and got into the best shape I’ve ever been in.”
Still, Sheeran isn’t living like a monk. He allows himself the occasional indulgence—just in moderation. “I’m not saying I’ve stopped enjoying life. I love red wine, I love a great meal,” he says. “Just not every day.”
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