He is a man who became rich and famous due to his legendary physique and seemingly inexhaustable well of self-belief.

But Arnold Schwarzenegger has claimed he has never been happy with his body and that he suffers from a lack of confidence.

Indeed the famously boastful 69-year-old insisted this problem has become even worse as he has become older, to the extent his reflection makes him want to vomit, as he is no longer able to stay in peak physical condition.

 

Austrian boke: Muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he wants to throw up when he sees his mature body in the mirror

The bodybuilder turned actor told Cigar Aficionado: ‘When I look in the mirror, I throw up.

‘And I was already so critical of myself, even when I was in top physical shape.

 

Still Pumping Iron: But Arnold’s love of fitness has left him with a foot injury in recent weeks

‘I’d look in the mirror after I won one Mr. Olympia after another and think, ‘How did this pile of s*** win?'”

However the new Celebrity Apprentice host credited his troubled mental state with giving him the motivation work so hard in the gym it made him unstoppable as he racked up his then record six Mr Olympia titles, the most prestigious in bodybuilding.

He said: ‘I do lack confidence, but I do the reps and do them enough that the thing itself will be doable when it’s time.

‘When I was competing at bodybuilding, I did so many hours of reps – on the weights, practicing the poses – that when I got onstage, I was comfortable and confident.

‘The more reps you do, the more you look smooth and convincing. The more you do it, the better you get… That’s how you gain confidence.’

And while many would be happy to at scaling the summit of their field, he continued to show the hunger that would later launch him to super-stardom as an action star and in politics, where he became the Governor Of California from 2003 until 2011.

He said: ‘I never saw perfection. There was always something lacking.

‘I could always find a million things wrong with myself and that’s what got me back into the gym – because I started out with that mentality.’

Some people are never satisfied: Even at the peak of his powers as a bodybuilder such as here in 1976 he claims he was never happy with his body

 

By Crom: Arnold’s physique ensured Conan The Barbarian was brought to life in the early 80s

Not blending in: And his pumped pectorals ensure The Terminator was easy to spot in a crowd

The action man, who is worth an estimated $300 million, had arguably the most famous body in the world when he starred in a string of hits that included Predator, The Terminator and Red Heat.

However it was his turn as a particularly pumped Conan The Barbarian in the uber violent 1982 smash hit, which was written and directed by Hollywood maverick John Milius, that established him in Hollywood.

And the Austrian Oak displayed his trademark cockiness, which he would have us believe is an elaborate show, as he tried to the part of Flash Gordon from that film’s producer Dino De Laurentiis, telling him: ‘Why does such a tiny guy like you need such a big desk?’

While his cheek saw him swiftly ushered out of the door, he left such an impression he was later cast as the pulp fantasy character that helped him transition from bodybuilder to actor.

‘Can I try on the other one’: Arnold looked at shoes as he went Christmas shopping Tuesday

Wait for me: He was joined by son Patrick as he went on a festive splurge in Beverly Hills

Not a chip off the old block: His boy looks positively puny compared to his younger self

And while he may no be quite the man he was, he said he is still as motivated as ever to galvanise his iron physique.

The health fanatic said: ‘My day cannot start without doing something physically.

‘And I work out at night before bed – cardio, weight training. I want to stay in shape as long as I can.’

And Arnold proved he still does not let things like training injuries slow him down as he was spotted Christmas shopping with his foot brace on in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

 

True Lies? Many will be surprised the bodybuilder turned governor is not as confident as he seems

Best foot forward: He had no trouble getting around despite his brace