‘Treat yourself with love and find something you enjoy’: We chat to 90s fitness icon Mr Motivator who shares his top tips on how to stay healthy this year

His infectious personality and love of exercise and movement shone through at Cannon Hill park in Birmingham today (Friday 20 March).

The popular fitness instructor, who rose to fame in 1993 through appearances on the breakfast television show GMTV, led a lively warm-up and feel-good community walk in Birmingham today to encourage more people to exercise as we head into spring.

He put a smile on the faces of everyone who took part - and of course, got everyone moving.

Those who participated in the event today joined along with his warm-up, copying his fun and easy exercise moves to upbeat dance music.

He then led the dozens of people that attended the event around Cannon Hill Park for a short and accessible walk.

Mr Motivator has teamed up with SPAR for its new campaign encouraging people to take small steps to make a big difference to their everyday mood and wellbeing.

With longer days and more light on the way, SPAR is encouraging people to build movement into everyday life - starting with something as simple as a short walk to your local convenience store instead of driving to a supermarket.

We took the opportunity to ask him what his top tips are on how to stay healthy this year.

He told the Express and Star: "Essentially the top tip is make it consistent, make it regular and as simple as just taking a step where 250 muscles are working, that’s what it’s all about.

"There's no point us just promoting it for spring, we should be promoting it for life and saying to everybody what you do now is going to pay you dividend in the long term.

"My recommendation to every single person is that it is so important that you treat yourself with love and finding something you enjoy.

"If walking is your thing, fine, if jogging is your thing, fine. But I’d say enjoyment is critical."

He added: "It’s very easy to say to people look you’ve got to be consistent with everything that you do, it’s a bit like brushing your teeth. If you don’t brush your teeth everyday you don’t feel right.

"I think it’s the same thing that comes to movement and exercise. And that simple thing of walking and regularity is so important.

"That’s why this whole project of encouraging people to walk to your local store, don't just jump in the car and drive to the big supermarkets, is so important.

"Walk to your local store and support your local store - and think of the benefits you are going to get. Every step you take 250 muscles work, every time you are going to walk out and pass people and say hello to them.

"We’ve got to encourage that kind of community spirit where everyone talks to each other for a change."

Nowadays Mr Motivator runs a free (and optional paid) online fitness club on mrmotivator.com which has live classes as well as on-demand videos.

He said he has uploaded all of his old videos onto there and is also now uploading videos on social media, as he says it is the "new television".

Well into his 70s, he remains energetic, happy and visibly strong, still leading workouts and inspiring people to stay active.

Known for his vibrant personality and colourful outfits, he proves that staying fit isn’t just about physical exercise but also about mindset, joy, and motivation - and we should all listen to his wise words and incorporate movement into our everyday lives.