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Motivation Point

Gemma Atkinson: FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World Reveals her Workout, Diet and Beauty Secrets

Gemma Atkinson was for four years in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She is an accomplished and exceptionally talented English actress, television personality and glamour model. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You started modeling after completing your GCSEs from Castlebrook High School. You reached the pinnacle of success when you played Lisa Hunter on the Channel 4 teenage soap opera Hollyoaks. You started pursuing acting and excelled in number of films. Tell us about your journey that took you to where you are now in the world of acting and as a model?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: My journey into acting and modelling started as a child, I would always be performing in front of family and friends. I used to love dressing up and putting on shows for people. I was very imaginative in that a walk with my family would, in my head, be us all lost in the wilderness trying to escape! My mum enrolled me in a model agency when I was fourteen and it was through that the Hollyoaks audition came around. It was my first ever audition and I was lucky enough to be chosen for the role. I have my mum to thank for so much of my success.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have selected a profession of being an actress in films and television that requires a lot of hard labor, technical soundness and excellence in different faculties to finally succeed, how do you achieve that?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I think I manage to juggle the skills needed to work in this business simply because I enjoy it. For anyone to love what they do it becomes a lot easier than having to do a career you haven't chosen. Yes, the hours are long, I'm away from home a lot and there's a lot of knock backs from roles you miss out on so you have to be thick skinned or else it will ruin you, but overall I can't really see myself doing anything else. I love acting, I get restless when I don't have scripts to study and characters to play.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Your are a leading actress, model, television star, theater artist, singer and brand ambassador. How you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I know my job sounds multidimensional on paper, but in reality I do one project at a time so it's not that hard to juggle. I like to put 100% in to whatever it is I'm doing so for example when I did my three month theatre stint, my agent knew to block me out for three months. I don't want to take on too many projects at once as ultimately I feel that one will not get your best.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: My routine consists of four weight training days a week and two HIIT and core days a week. I only do an hour at a time as, done correctly, you don't really need more than that. I have to work extra hard on my legs as that's where I carry any additional weight. In fact my nickname at school with friends was thunder thighs!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I don't diet as such. I believe in everything in moderation. I have certain times like when I'm preparing for a shoot that I'll cut certain foods out for a short period but I never like to deprive myself. I don't eat red meat, in fact fish and chicken are the only meat I do eat and I sometimes struggle with that. I'm a huge animal lover so it's hard as I need the protein to assist with my training but I try to get a lot from my whey protein as well. I just make sensible choices with food. I try to make my plate colourful and I avoid processed junk. I actually feel hung-over if I eat badly now.
 

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hairs. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hairs to make them look so stunning?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I drink three litres of water a day and I don't wear any makeup unless at work or an event etc. as I like to let my skin breath. I'm not into buying expensive creams as ultimately it's what's going on inside your body that determines how you look on the outside.

I know people paying a fortune on spot cream but who are eating silly amounts of sugar daily, it's crazy. Quit the sugar and your skin will quit producing spots! I eat lots of vegetables and green salads ensuring I get my vitamins and minerals. I also put Vaseline around my eyes at night to soak in so they feel smooth in the morning. My mum has amazing skin and everyone says so, hopefully I've inherited that gene. I try to let my hair dry naturally when I can to as opposed to putting heat on it from the dryer.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words for our inspiring and budding models and actresses who all are your fans, what should they do for their climb to the ladder of success in field of acting and modelling?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: To be successful in acting or modelling you first have to be able to take criticism. You won't be right for every role or every shoot and you can't expect to be. You also can't beat yourself up over it, you shelve it, move on and look for the next project. I would also suggest you have a backup plan as there are times you will be out of work.

I've studied nutrition so in between jobs I post training and food blogs and I throw myself into training to keep myself occupied. Lastly I would say to ignore people who will tell you that you can't do it. There's a lot of people who asked me why I didn't "have a proper job instead of wasting time trying to get acting work". You have to just have blinkers on and go for it!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have acted in number of films. Which has been your most memorable experience?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: My most memorable film experience would have to be making The Dyatlov Pass Incident. It was directed by Renny Harlin who did Die Hard and Cliffhanger, so to work with him was a privilege. It was also shot it Russia over 9wks so I got to live in Moscow and Kirovsk too. The conditions were extreme, it was freezing and we were on a mountain all day, but it was one of the best experiences I've had.
 

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your inspiration and motivation that led you to your success in the world of acting and modeling?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: To be honest, there isn't really a specific famous person that's motivated me. All my motivation has come from my family. My mum, sister, step dad, in fact all of them constantly reassure me when I'm feeling a part is too challenging or need help with a work decision. My mum has been the best role model I could ask for. Career wise, I admire Charlize Theron for the risk she took in Monster. She was fantastic! I'd love to be given the opportunity to play a part like that where I totally transform my appearance away from what people would expect.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us about your experience of working as 'Lisa Hunter' on the Channel 4 teenage soap opera Hollyoaks?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: Working on Hollyoaks was the best eight years I could have hoped for. I'm so lucky to have been given the chance. We were all like a family. It was close to my home and I laughed until my stomach hurt every single day. I learnt so much and had the chance to portray some great story lines, one being Lisa's self-harm story. I will always have fond memories of my time on Hollyoaks.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: With exceptional hard work you are credited with all your achievements. Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in your success?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I do believe that everyone has a little "help" from somewhere. I lost my dad when I was 17 so at times I like to think he's now my guardian angel pushing me in the right direction. When I was younger I used to always, every night, look up at the stars and make a wish (because I saw it on Pinocchio!) lol! But my wish was always to be an actress...

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have been associated with and embarked upon a 228 kilometres walk along the Great Wall of China in April 2008, as part of a charity event organised by Olivia Newton-John's breast cancer awareness charity and also with number of other charities. Tell us how you have been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of your?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I always love to do charity work when I can. To be in the position I'm in, I realise I'm lucky and I'm very grateful. Yes, I work hard and feel I've earned it too but at the same time there's always that thought of 'this could all vanish so quickly'.

There are four main charities I work with. I've worked with the British Heart Foundation for 13 yrs ever since my dad died of heart disease. Manchester Children's Hospital, they saved my nephew Tyler's life when he had the worst form of meningitis, thanks to them he's now a gorgeous and healthy 14 year old. Cancer Research, because I know far too many people affected by that horrid disease. Also, the league against cruel sports which is an animal charity set up to one day hopefully ban using animals in sports such as bull fighting, dog fighting and fox hunting. I can't stand animal cruelty.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Gemma Atkinson: I'd like to say a huge thank you to Woman's Fitness for allowing me to be on their site. It's a privilege! Your site has everything us ladies could want covering so many interesting topics. Thanks for supporting females!!!

Gemma Atkinson is a USA Pro Ambassador. For more information head to www.usapro.co.uk

To know more about Gemma Atkinson, check her out at: http://www.gemmaatkinson.tv

Women Fitness Team thanks Gemma Atkinson for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and also wish to thank James Wagland from Becca Barr Management who made this interview happen.

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Dated 21 July 2014