Feb 6, 2011 08:30 GMT  ·  By

For some reason, Gerard Butler’s weight has often been a topic of much debate, especially since the actor has come clean about his love of fatty foods. He’s now back in top shape, showing off his toned physique while vacationing in Hawaii.

Precisely one year ago, Butler was photographed on vacation looking considerably plumper than his fans had ever seen him. Photos of him quickly spread on the Internet.

Talk of how it was acceptable for male stars to be “fat” while women still had to abide by the same unrealistic ideal of beauty immediately began – even though Butler had gained weight for a part, as it emerged later.

Later last year, the actor was said to be “desperate” to shed the extra pounds because he was about to start shooting for a new role and it required him to be thinner.

Mission accomplished, as the British tabloid the Daily Mail also notes.

A couple of days ago, Butler hit the beach for some fun in the sun – and a light workout as well –, rocking the body his fans admired in the box office hit “300” (minus the body makeup, of course).

“The Scottish star proudly showed off his finely honed form as she strutting to the beach in Hawaii wearing a pair of black board shorts, some aviators and a messy head of hair,” the Mail writes.

“The 41-year-old’s incredible muscle definition shows that he has achieved those infamous hard-to-obtain creases. Gerard later learnt how to paddle-board from friend and big wave surfer, Dave Kalama,” the publication writes.

“The Hollywood actor was spotted paddling his way around in the ocean, where he looked to be gaining quite the tan, which further highlighted his rippling abs and muscular biceps,” the Mail adds.

The exact regime that Gerard followed to get his impressive muscular physique back is not known yet, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that it involved no junk food and lots of working out.