Joe Wicks hits back with shirtless selfie as he insists he is ‘in the best shape of my life’ after being accused of ‘demonising’ sugar

by

Joe Wicks responded to recent criticism by sharing a shirtless photo on Wednesday, stating he’s currently in the best shape of his life.

The 39-year-old fitness influencer recently faced criticism for portraying sugar as unhealthy, after his daughter asked him for a sugary snack last week.

Some fans felt he wasn’t promoting a healthy approach to food, and others believed he was fostering unhealthy relationships with it.

Joe shared a photo on his Instagram Story, showing himself in his home gym and explaining what he eats, making it clear he’s sticking to his routine.

He shared that he’s been much better about his diet this year. He’s significantly reduced his sugar intake and no longer snacks between meals.

I’ve made a few changes lately that are really making a difference. I kicked the habit of drinking fizzy drinks, and I’ve gotten into batch cooking – it’s a lifesaver! But the biggest shift? I’m finally viewing healthy food as my treat after a tough day, instead of reaching for chocolate or sweets. It feels amazing!

Joe said he feels better than ever, not because he’s been training more intensely, but because he’s been making healthier food choices and sticking to them consistently.

Okay, so last week, *he* posted the cutest thing! It was all about taking Leni, his little three-year-old, and baby Dusty, who’s just fifteen months, to a soft play area. It seriously melted my heart! He and Rosie also have Indie, who’s seven, and Marley, six, but this post was all about the little ones having fun. I’ve been following him for ages, and these little glimpses into his family life are just the best!

Joe was frustrated that all the snacks at the play area were full of sugar. He explained, ‘It’s hard to get kids to choose healthy options when they’re around so much sugar, and it’s a constant struggle when you’re out with them.’

He continued, recounting how, after offering his daughter some fruit, she asked, “Daddy, why do all the other kids get to have sugar?”

Let me tell you, trying to explain something complex to a three-year-old can be incredibly tough. In that moment, honestly, I felt like I was failing as a dad. It’s a really vulnerable feeling when you’re not sure how to reach them, and it definitely hit me hard.

Joe mainly talked about ultra-processed foods and how easily children can get access to sugar.

The popular fitness personality, known as The Body Coach, has previously discussed cutting out sugar and the dangers of being overly reliant on it, sparking conversations about finding a healthy balance.

He shared that he took his children, Leni and Dusty, to an indoor play area at a leisure center yesterday. He immediately noticed rows of vending machines stocked with sugary treats upon entering.

He continued, explaining that after telling his child ‘not now, dear,’ they arrived at the soft play area, which had a cafe filled with tempting treats displayed right at the kids’ eye level. They were selling everything – chocolate bars, crisps, muffins, juice drinks, fruit snacks, cakes, and slushies – it was hard to resist!

As a long-time observer, it’s frustrating to see the same old menu at these places – always fried foods and sugary drinks alongside basic jam sandwiches. It really sends the message to parents that children’s food is limited to just these few, often unhealthy, options, and that’s all they’ll ever accept.

We brought fruit and packed healthy lunches, but when we’re out with young children, it’s a constant struggle because they always want sugary treats instead. It happens several times a day!

I told my daughter I had fruit for her, and she asked why other kids get to have sugar. It was tough trying to explain it to a three-year-old, and honestly, in that moment, I just felt like a terrible dad.

I believe constant snacking is a major reason many diets fail. We simply don’t need to eat throughout the day, particularly sugary or processed foods that cause blood sugar spikes and make us even hungrier.

Sugar is in so many everyday foods, especially processed ones, that it’s really hard to avoid.

I’m wondering if things have always been like this, or if I’m just more aware of it now that I’m focused on helping my kids eat better. They do enjoy sugary treats, though…

They offer treats occasionally, but not as consistently as we’re used to. It’s just tough being a parent and dealing with these kinds of changes – it’s never simple.

I’m really struggling to find the answer, and honestly, I have no idea what it is. I wish I did! I’m working on it constantly as a parent, trying to understand. I’d love to hear what you think.

People reacted negatively to Joe’s behavior, with some commenting that his children will likely act up as soon as they’re able to, implying they’ll be very energetic and mischievous.

If you constantly restrict sweets, they’ll likely want them even more as they grow up – I’ve seen it happen. When my parents tried to control what I did, I rebelled. You risk creating a lot of conflict by being overly controlling.

Joe recently shared a new post following backlash from fitness and nutrition experts. This came after he admitted to falling back into old habits with sugary foods, describing it as a ‘relapse’ from his sugar-free diet.

The fitness coach is documenting his attempt to cut out all sugar – even the natural kind in fruit – on social media.

Many in the online fitness world are worried that his posts might be promoting unhealthy eating habits to his large following.

Joe, a popular Instagrammer with nearly 5 million followers, shared a video about his attempt to cut out sugar. He jokingly admitted to giving in and eating an entire package of Jaffa Cakes.

He explained that he had a brief lapse in willpower while filming a celebrity edition of the BBC game show Gladiators, which then caused him to overindulge in sugary treats like brownies and fruit for several days afterward.

Read More

2025-09-17 16:34