Gemma Atkinson ditched junk food for 12 weeks and lost 5lbs in seven days in new Strictly Come Dancing fitness regime
GEMMA Atkinson started whipping herself into top shape for Strictly Come Dancing three months ago by overhauling her diet and embracing a gruelling new exercise regime.
The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress is well-known for her healthy lifestyle and love of working out but it seems she has gone one step further in her bid to achieve ultimate dancing physique.
Gemma, 32, signed up for a 12-week program with Ultimate Performance Fitness - and lost 5lbs in just one week.
The soap star documented her body transformation journey through a series of blogs for the , explaining: "My simple goal on this transformation journey is just to become the best version of myself I can be.
"I'm going to train as hard and eat as well as I can to achieve that."
Gemma ditched junk food, ate healthily and did intense 45 minute to one-hour personal training sessions with a focus on lifting weights, four times a week, and two cardio sessions outside the gym such as biking or walking her dogs.
After seven days, she told fans: "I lost 5lbs in the first week and dropped 2% body fat…in a week. I’ve never done that before."
After seven weeks, she updated fans to say she "finally felt good in a bikini" after all her hard work paid off and she reaped the results on holiday.
"I used to wrap a sarong around me when I walked from the pool to the beach bar, but I didn't on this holiday," she said.
"Your confidence soars when you feel good - and that’s when I believe you look good.
"I looked far from perfect (but who is?) and of course there are still areas I can improve on physically, but mentally I was 100% happy and comfortable and confident and that's what's important."
After finishing the program, she told fans: "I've pushed myself physically and mentally, and although at times it's been hard and on some days I've wanted to quit, I haven't.
"I've powered through, and my results speak for themselves. I'm so pleased!"
She will now put her newfound strength to the test on the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor.
Gemma was announced as the fourth Strictly celebrity contestant on Thursday's BBC Breakfast.
"I can finally say I'm doing it! Sorry for lying!" she laughed.
"I'm looking forward to just learning to dance as it's out of my comfort zone. Even wearing heels for me is a big thing. Putting me in a sparkling frock is out of my comfort zone.
"I want to challenge myself and do something I've never done before.
"I did disco dancing from the age of nine to ten but that was kind of cartwheels across the floor, eat my pic 'n' mix and go home.
"As far as any dance training goes, I haven't had any.
"After a few drinks I think I'm Britney Spears but I'm not at all!"
Gemma said she has no preference for who she gets as a professional partner as long as it's someone tall enough as she's 5ft 9in.
She's best known for playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks, Carly Hope in Emmerdale and Tamzin Bayle in Casualty, and has also appeared in the likes of The Bill, Law and Order and Waterloo Road.
Her current job is breakfast show host at Manchester's Key 103.
“I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017!” she said.
“I'm beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and Latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”
Five celebrity contestants have been announced so far for Strictly 2017.
Gemma joins Loose Women panellist Ruth Langsford, The Saturdays singer Mollie King, EastEnders hunk Davood Ghadami and Church of England priest and former Communards singer Rev Richard Coles.
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