Trolls can be brutal and they affect us all and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is no exception. In 'Behind The Medal' podcast, the 28-year-old artist opened up about his struggle with body image and how being called 'chunky' and 'fat' by online trolls made him wanting to lose weight.
"I never had insecurities but when people pointed them out, your brain starts thinking about them. It all stems from other people's insecurities. So many people have things they're insecure about so it makes them feel better to point out someone else's," he told the podcast host and added, "My problem was that I would go to the pub, have bangers and mash, a pie, maybe a pudding and then loads of pints. And then, not exercise. My friends used to call me 'Two Dinners Teddy'. On tour, it's very easy to drink every single day because there's always someone visiting."
Sheeran was supported by his wife Cherry, and soon he started a rigorous diet and exercise regime to try to get fit.
“I stopped smoking three years ago and ever since then started exercising. I love it,” he said while sharing that his fitness routine usually includes 45 minutes of running in the morning and sometimes, he adds in swimming and sit-ups. Sheeran also adds that this new hobby also brings mental clarity.
“I’ve gotten really into cycling as well, and there’s no way you can, like, check emails or watch TV shows... You’re either with someone talking, or you’re thinking. And it’s a really good thing," he adds.
Further, Sheeran added that he had to make a conscious effort to squeeze in exercise while on his most recent tour. "I had to make a real effort on this tour," he shared while adding that he was weighing 15-16 stones in 2015-16. "I am 12 stones now," he informed.
The 'Shape Of You' singer also admitted that his weight was the reason he didn't feature in his early music videos.
"I wasn't there in my first three or four videos. I was the same age as One Direction boys and Justin Bieber and all these people had six-packs and I was kind of like, 'Oh! should I look like this?" he adds.
But, now the singer is enjoying running so much that he hopes to conquer a marathon one day.
“I definitely will [do a marathon],” said Sheeran while adding that he’d like to do it in a place where the paparazzi won’t be constantly following him around.