Now that he has lost 30 pounds, Ed Sheeran is sharing his personal motivations regarding his new health-conscious lifestyle.
The artist discusses in the January 2026 issue of Men’s Health UK magazine how his twenties shaped his perception of health and wellness and what prompted him to make a change.
If he were to look back on the whole experience now, he admits that, despite his career success, he wasn’t feeling well in his own body. He has learned about the interconnection between physical and mental well-being and how a person views themselves.
However, in recent years, Sheeran has been more mindful of his fitness routine and diet. This is by no means to imply he’s gone to extremes or anything of the kind. His transition wasn’t exactly rapid or straightforward.
The Fatherhood Changed Him
Sheeran has two daughters with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. Sheeran’s fatherhood has been a major milestone in his life. The singer revealed to Men’s Health UK Magazine that there was a significant occurrence in his life.
Just after his elder daughter, Lyra, was born, he became aware of how his behavior, such as having a drink late at night, affected his ability to be present as a father to his children to the extent that he wanted. “The tiredness, the grogginess, made me think, ‘Is it really worth it?'” he says.
Most of all, he wanted to feel physically strong, to be able to lift and carry his own children without discomfort or pain. And that desire eclipsed every concern for beauty very quickly indeed.
Starting Small at Home
Before the pandemic, he had a cross-trainer installed in his basement. He had already spent time responding to emails, so it was good to do some exercise too, since he didn’t have a phone to use.
The process did not feel like a chore or an unpleasant task; it just felt like a good way to get some exercise doing something he had to do anyway.
Introducing Strength Training
It was during this period of lockdown that Sheeran took his first steps in weight training, something he had never been comfortable doing. He worked out with a personal trainer named Ali Thomas.
“The pattern of lifting in short sets and then resting was approachable to him and took away much of the anxiety he associated with going to the gym.” It gave him confidence without letting him burn out.
Expanding His Routine with Pilates
For Sheeran, it was not until 2025 that he was ready to take it further. The artist, with the assistance of his fitness trainer Matt Kendrick, incorporated reformer Pilates into his fitness plan.
Pilates was also helpful to him during his tours. It allowed him to lift during performances.
Why Variety Keeps Him Consistent
Rather than engaging in only one type of physical activity, Sheeran combines running, swimming, weight training, and reformer Pilates. This helps to prevent boredom with physical activity.
Prior to the pandemic, running even a few kilometers had not been an option. He progressed to running a 10K run, which also validated the point that progress creates confidence.
As he is in his thirties, he says that the desire to be capable and energetic is much more important than the desire to reach a particular figure.
Moderation, Not Restriction
However, Sheeran hasn’t stopped having fun. He still enjoys his wine, good food, and indulgences. They’re just not enjoyed on a daily basis.
For him, the key is not being perfect or having ultra-discipline. For him, the key is balance. He is also very clear that the routine is not for selling the ultra-clean lifestyle but for finding something that can actually be followed by him.
Better Health, Better Performance
As a matter of fact, touring is very physically demanding on artists, and this is something that Sheeran has realized over the course of his life, especially as he has aged and it has taken him longer to bounce back from each show. The strain on his voice and his muscles has become hard to ignore.
The desire to feel strong on stage and not just get through shows is another reason why fitness is important. He also cites his motivation coming from another artist named Stormzy and his fitness regime before going on stage.
Recovery Is Part of the Job
Significantly different in his schedule now is that he has dedicated himself to recovery and has massages while he’s touring – even though he admits they’re not his favorite things to receive.
Rather than skipping the recovery time, he has learned that it actually makes it more difficult the following day. The payoff has been more stamina, less injuries, and more consistent performances.
A Family-Wide Shift
Sheeran states: “My own mom and dad, in their sixties right now, are actually having to make more movement in their life. Things that intimidated my mom or intimidated my dad are no longer intimidating to them. And in fact, they see movement as ‘lighter, more accessible, less about how we challenge ourselves as individuals and more about how we challenge ourselves to stay moving.’
“I believe the ripple effect is certainly one of the more important outcomes of my health journey.” Sheeran’s health journey was the culmination of numerous micro-changes he had to make in his life to reach a point of comfort with himself.
