It's a brave politician indeed who is willing to expose their own battle with their squeezed middle for the cameras. As the election gets underway the gloves have come off between the main parties, and for three frontbenchers the tops have come off as well. Tory health minister Dan Poulter, Lib Dem minister Tom Brake and Labour frontbencher Gavin Shuker imposed strict cuts on their calories and put themselves at the mercy of a personal trainer for Men's Health magazine. Scroll down for video . Health minister Dan Poulter saw his weight fell from 105kg to 102.5kg, losing two inches off his 35in waist. His body fat fell from 24 per cent to 18 per cent . Cooped up in the Department of Health, he admitted it is difficult to practice what he preaches on keeping healthy . Skipping breakfast, grabbing lunch on the go and late nights in Parliament's bars and restaurants can take its toll on MPs when they arrive in Westminster. After five years of the coalition government, the three MPs agreed to take part in the feature for the Men's Health magazine, which is better known for its front covers of rippling muscles and toned six packs. Each was given strict orders to eat more healthily, do more exercise and take better care of their bodies. There was the inevitable unflattering 'before' photo shoot, followed by a full-length portrait to show off their new physique. Mr Poulter, a GP first elected in 2010, could be expected to already know what it takes to stay healthy. But cooped up in the Department of Health, he admitted it is difficult to practice what he preaches. 'I have an erratic diary, working 15-hour days, so it does require real dedication to get gym sessions in', he said. His personal trainer Stephen White put him on a regime of fat-burning intervals and muscle-building resistance training. He said: 'Dan really struggled at first because of his back – we focused on loosening and developing it to pull his shoulders back and correct his terrible posture.' In the end Mr Poulter's weight fell from 105kg to 102.5kg, losing two inches off his 35in waist. His body fat fell from 24 per cent to 18 per cent, and he boasted of feeling 'fitter, stronger, more awake and motivated in my work'. Lib Dem deputy Commons leader Tom Brake was told to build his upper-body strength and after six weeks of training could swim the 750m of the sprint distance triathlon without reverting to breast stroke . As deputy leader of the Commons, Mr Brake's job involved a lot of sitting on the green leather benches listening to debates. The Lib Dem MP and keen marathon runner could have been forgiven for thinking he was fit. But after casting an eye over his 'before' physique, personal trainer Daniel Marshall declared: 'Tom neglected every muscle from the waist up.' The 52-year-old was told to build his upper-body strength and after six weeks of training could swim the 750m of the sprint distance triathlon without reverting to breast stroke. He lost only a kilo of his 83.5kg starting weight, but his chest size grew from 38in to 48 in, while he lost an inch from his waist. Mr Brake said: 'I used to think going to the gym was a waste of time, and that you were much better off going for a run. Not anymore.' Labour MP Gavin Shuker embarked on an intense weight loss regime, forced to shun carbs and alcohol when being wined and dined in Westminster . Labour MP Gavin Shuker was elected as MP for Luton South in 2010, after incumbent Margaret Moran was forced out over her expenses. A shadow International Development minister, he says that he succumbed to the 'parliamentary stone' - the extra 14 pounds new MPs put on in their first year after arriving in Westminster. In fact he went even further, and put on three stone within 12 months. Men's Health rather unkindly remarked: 'The fact that the shadow minister hadn’t done any exercise since his school days compounded the problem – the only internationally perceptible development being around his waistline. 'The only internationally perceptible development being around his waistline.' He embarked on an intense weight loss regime, forced to shun carbs and alcohol when being wined and dined in Westminster. 'I’m sure at one point an MP’s life was all big boozy lunches and champagne dinner receptions,' he said. 'The reality now is that if you eat lunch at all, it’ll be out of a box at your desk, like most people.' Surprisingly, he was told to eat more, not less, but make it healthy. The 33-year-old had got into the habit of not eating during the day and gorging at night. For the first time in decades he started eating porridge for breakfast. In the end he managed to lose more than 10kg, taking him down to 85kg. His waist slimmed down from 44in to 37in, while his biceps expanded from 32cm to 35cm. The magazine suggested the spectacle of three MPs naked from the waist up could inspire its readers to get fit themselves. It said: 'If they can juggle work and fitness, you sure as hell can too. It may not be easy, but then in this age of austerity, the biggest cuts never are.'
Tory Dan Poulter, Lib Dem Tom Brake and Labour's Gavin Shuker get fit . Three agreed to put themselves at the mercy of a personal trainer . Strict diet and exercise regime saw them shed pounds and gain strength . Full interview appears in the May 2015 issue of Men’s Health, on sale Thursday 2 April. Also available as a digital edition.