While the Vitality report makes for sobering reading, the good news is that there’s plenty that can be done to improve women’s relationships with health and fitness. Some of that work will start with businesses, employers and fitness professionals, and the report outlines key changes people in these groups can make to support women and make it easier for all of us to stay active.

The report also outlines some things we can do as individuals to foster a positive relationship with physical activity. These include:

Recognising that getting started is often the hardest part and finding ways to make integrating physical activity into your life easier. Could you do some daily movement first thing in the morning, or introduce ‘exercise snacks’ into your working day? The key to building a positive habit that sticks is making sure you’re able to do something regularly.
Having conversations with family members, friends and other women in your life to discuss ways we can support each other to prioritise physical activity. Perhaps you could start a WhatsApp group with your friends dedicated to exercise or get your family together for regular walks or runs?
Trying to take the focus of your exercise away from weight loss by choosing a goal that’s centred around something like better sleep, improved mood or boosted energy.
Giving new sports, fitness activities and dynamics a go to see what you enjoy. That might mean trying a new sport or gym class or finding a workout buddy to spend time in the gym with.

More than three-quarters of UK women aren’t exercising enough to support their health – here’s what’s stopping them