One in 10 Brits think they’re too overweight to run, new study finds

‘Anyone can become “fit” at running! It’s about building up the miles in your legs slowly and building your cardiovascular fitness over time,’ she explains. ‘In fact, running slowly is actually very beneficial, rather than running really fast, as it reduces the risk of becoming injured. Start small, and gradually increase your goals — it’s not a race.’

According to runner Ben Mounsey, running doesn’t look the same for everybody. While your friends might be limbering up for a marathon or braving lone runs every day of the week, it’s more than okay to tailor your runs to your unique health and fitness needs. Maybe that means working towards a Couch to 5k, or meeting a group of like-minded people at one of the UK’s many run clubs.

‘Whether it’s running your first 5k, achieving a new half marathon PB or losing weight, challenge yourself with a 2024 milestone that works for your aims,’ Mounsey explains. ‘Focusing on your ultimate goals will help structure your running, and will give you that extra bit of willpower to keep going when the going gets tough. Keep your target realistic and set small achievable interim goals to keep up your motivation.’

The more you run, the less scary it will inevitably become. ‘Make training sessions an ingrained part of your lifestyle or social activity by running with friends, joining a running club, or even making parkrun a regular Saturday morning fixture,’ Mounsey advises. ‘No matter your size or how embarrassing you may find running (either alone or in front of others), your confidence will build with time.’

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