'They say I should have curves not muscles': Super-sculpted Gemma Atkinson shames male trolls who tell her she is not a 'real woman'
Gemma Atkinson has called out body-shamers who accused her of looking 'masculine'.
Speaking on This Morning on Thursday, the Emmerdale actress revealed that she had been told - predominantly by men - that she should have 'curves not muscles' in order to be a real woman.
The sculpted 5ft 9in star, who weighs 11 stone, transformed into a fitness fanatic after emerging as a glamour model and Hollyoaks pin-up in the Noughties and now says she has the confidence to 'ignore' her critics.
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Real women have muscles: Gemma Atkinson has hit back at male trolls who told her she was not a real woman because she had muscles instead of curves
What haters? The sculpted 5ft 9in star, who weighs 11 stone, transformed into a fitness fanatic after emerging as a glamour model and soap pin-up in the Noughties and now has the confidence to 'ignore' her critics
She said: 'People say to me "Real women have curves." Well I don't – I am straight up and down. It's mostly men actually, they say women shouldn't have muscles.
'But that's like me saying to a man that unless they look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, they're not a man, which isn't right. I just ignore all the trolls.'
The gym bunny generally receives comments on her 146k-followed Instagram page, where she shares fitness tips and inspirational images of her honed physique.
The Emmerdale actress, who plays Carly in the ITV soap, previously said that those who are threatened by her appearance are just jealous.
Shaming the trolls: Gemma has been body-shamed for being proud to show off her muscles by men who say is too masculine
Standing up to bullying: The gorgeous blonde was speaking to Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on This Morning
Changing opinions: She is trying to change people's opinions on body image
Oh the glamour: Gemma was wearing a black jumpsuit with red heels and a matching belt
'I have changed my body and they clearly want to as well,' she told Closer this week. 'Sadly, they don't have the same drive and willpower so they put me down. It's so petty.'
Since committing to changing her appearance, Gemma says she's also never been happier with her look.
'Over the years I have grown to love the way I look,' she explained. 'And my figure has become a lot more muscular as a result of regular gym workouts and yoga.
'I have increased my muscle mass and reduced my body fat so I look bigger now than before. I'm certainly heavier, but I love it - I feel strong.'
Shaming the trolls: Gemma (before, left and now, right) has transformed her body and now oozes confidence
Hard work: The actress certainly puts in the hours at the gym to sculpt her figure
Working it: The blonde bombshell is 5ft 9' and weighs 11st, 1st heavier than before her fitness training
Gemma has also used her social media platform to empower others about their body image, recently taking to Instagram with a post about loving your body.
She wrote: 'Nowadays we seem to be pressured into looking a certain way or reaching a certain standard of "perfect." It's sad that people would choose to look a certain way & prioritise that over their own health!
She added on the matter: 'You are SO much more then a 'body shape' or a number on a scale. Remember that.
'Don't let anyone tell you that you're too this or too that. For a stranger to have such a negative opinion on YOUR body means they are 1000% unhappy with their own.'
Who's the lady now? Gemma (pictured left, on a night out and right, on the way to the gym) says she still has regular insecurities like most women
Keeping in shape: She left the studios and headed straight for the gym
To keep herself in top shape, the blonde stunner wakes up at 4.30am and starts her day with yoga or 30 minutes on the exercise bike - but occasionally indulges in doughnuts as a reward.
Gemma does not own a set of scales and has frequently made the case that weighing more does not mean one is less fit.
Despite her recent split from boyfriend Olly Foster, a former rugby player, the pair remain friends and he continues to train her.
During her chat with This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford this week, Gemma explained what prompted her back into acting after modelling.
She has got curves! Gemma made it an early start, arriving in her fitness gear
Groomed: Even without make-up, the stunning star looked completely immaculate
Gorgeous glow: Ahead of hair and make-up, the star was positively glowing
Homeward bound: Gemma looked ready for a workout as she headed home from the ITV studio in gym gear
Gemma explained that she made the conscious decision to stop, even though the offers were still coming in, because acting is her passion.
In the forthcoming episodes, Gemma's character is expected to share a kiss with Marlon Dingle, played by long-serving Emmerdale star Mark Charnock.
'He's such a laugh,' she said of her co-star. 'A really nice man and I love working with him.'
'I am very happy now,' the former I'm A Celebrity star said in a recent interview. 'I still get insecure like most girls. My legs will always be my problem area, that's where we hold weight in my family.
'I have kind of learned to love them in a way. They have been with me for 31 years carrying 11 stone around, so they are doing something right.'
When it comes to surgery, she told the Express: 'I had breast enlargement surgery when I was younger, which I'm happy with. I am not keen on doing anything to my face. I don't like the idea of Botox, or fillers or anything like that.
In shape: To keep herself in top shape, the blonde stunner wakes up at 4.30am and starts her day with yoga or 30 minutes on the exercise bike - but occasionally indulges in doughnuts as a reward
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3712506/Gemma-Atkinson-shames-trolls-called-body-masculine.html#ixzz4FkVWRqMZ
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