FOR those of you that don't know, I'm trying to get fit at the moment.

In fact, I'm trying more than that. I'm trying to see if it is possible to achieve the sort of "celebrity physique" that we now see constantly in newspapers and magazines and on the telly.

Earlier this week, in a feature in this newspaper, I came out of the fitness closet and made my goals public.

I'm being trained by none other than my fellow Weekend columnist Chris Bramah, who has so far been very encouraging about my plans.

I've got a new diet — no more sausage butties, no more beer — now it's all protein shakes, omelettes, salmon and broccoli.

I already feel loads better but I do miss having the odd drink. I lapsed last weekend as me and my other half went out with my future in-laws for a traditional Easter curry. Well, you can't have curry without a Cobra, can you?

This idea — to transform myself — is mainly to see if it is possible, especially with a full-time job and family commitments.

So far, I have been to the gym every day — including Wednesday night after a really long day at work (that was the day the PM came to town) and the last thing I wanted to do at 8pm was push ups. I wanted to go home and slouch on the couch with a nice glass of red.

As I pointed out in my feature, body image used to be purely a female issue. It was all about stick think models and celebs getting that perfect bikini body.

But now we are seeing more and more seemingly unachievable images of male sports stars, actors (just watch Poldark) and reality TV personalities — some airbrushed more than others — and this media obsession is clearly having an effect on us.

You only have to go to the gym to see all these blokes putting in hours and hours on the weights to maintain this look.

It would be unthought-of back in the 1970s, when men were men, and a beer belly was considered to be 'money well spent'.

Now instead of getting the pints in on a Saturday night, some chaps want to know how many calories are in a slimline gin and tonic.

I'm aiming for a footballers' physique. I'm on a 12-week programme, so I'm not going to beef up like Arnold Schwarzenegger in that time anyway.

Basically I want a body like Beckham. And if I do achieve it — the trick then will be can I maintain it? Will I want to keep up this extreme fitness regime?