Exercise doesn’t have to mean running marathons, joining an expensive gym or doing workouts you hate. After losing 10 stone, I’ve learned that the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. Whether you’re just getting started, returning after a break or looking for something new to try, these guides will help you find ways to move that fit your life.
Exercise Doesn’t Have To Be Intimidating
For a long time, I thought exercise wasn’t for people like me. I imagined gyms full of fit people, complicated workout routines and the feeling that everyone would be watching me. Looking back, I realise I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Exercise doesn’t have to mean running marathons, lifting huge weights or spending hours in the gym. It can be as simple as going for a walk, stretching while watching television or dancing around the kitchen while making dinner. Every bit of movement counts.
After losing 10 stone, I’ve learned that the best exercise isn’t the one that burns the most calories. It’s the one you’ll actually enjoy enough to keep doing.
Whether you’re taking your first steps towards becoming more active or looking for new ways to move your body, I hope these guides help you find something that works for you.
What I Believe About Exercise
Exercise should never feel like punishment for eating.
You don’t have to “earn” your meals, burn off yesterday’s dessert or force yourself through workouts you hate. Movement is about so much more than changing the number on the scales.
I believe exercise should help you feel stronger, healthier and happier. Walking counts. Gardening counts. Playing with your children counts. Stretching counts. If you’re moving your body more than you were yesterday, you’re making progress.
- Every bit of movement counts.
- Exercise shouldn’t be punishment.
- You don’t need a gym membership.
- Consistency beats intensity.
- Find something you enjoy.
- Rest is part of progress too.
Start here if you are new to exercise
If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry—you certainly aren’t alone. Starting can often feel like the hardest part, especially if exercise hasn’t always been a positive experience for you.
These are the articles I’d recommend reading first if you’re looking for simple, realistic ways to become more active without feeling overwhelmed.
Which exercises are best for obese people? Read my guide.
More to explore
- Why Walking Is Amazing
- No Equipment Exercise
- How To Find A Fitness Routine You’ll Stick To
- Can You Lose Inches Without Losing Weight?
Read my tips on finding a fitness routine you will actually stick to!
Walking and Hiking
Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise. It doesn’t require special skills, expensive memberships or lots of equipment, and you can start almost anywhere. Whether you’re enjoying a gentle stroll around your neighbourhood or planning longer countryside walks, walking is a fantastic way to improve both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Read about why walking is one of the best exercises for weight loss
- Walking for beginners
- Best walking shoes
- Hiking for beginners
- Work out how many calories you can burn by walking
Cycling
Cycling is a brilliant low-impact exercise that can improve fitness while being kinder on your joints than many other activities. Whether you prefer riding outdoors, using an exercise bike at home or joining a spin class, there are plenty of ways to make cycling part of your routine.
Read about whether cycling is good for weight loss.
- Exercise bikes for plus-size people
- How to choose an exercise bike: Spin bikes, Recumbent bikes and upright bikes compared
- Choosing the right bike if you are overweight
Gentle Exercise
Not every workout needs to leave you exhausted. Gentle exercise can improve flexibility, balance, strength and mobility while helping you feel calmer and less stressed. If you’re recovering from illness, carrying extra weight or simply prefer a slower pace, these activities can be a wonderful place to start.
Read more about why gentle exercise counts
More Gentle Exercises Ideas
Improve Your Fitness
Getting fitter doesn’t happen overnight, but every workout helps. Whether your goal is improving your stamina, strengthening your heart or simply feeling less out of breath climbing the stairs, these guides can help you build fitness at your own pace.
Check my guide for cardio workouts for weight loss
More fitness guides
Working Out at Home
You don’t need a gym membership to become more active. Home workouts can be convenient, affordable and surprisingly effective, whether you’ve got a spare room full of equipment or just enough space to roll out a yoga mat.
Home Workouts That Don’t Need a Gym
More home workout ideas
Exercising With Confidence
Starting exercise isn’t always about fitness. Sometimes it’s about finding the confidence to walk into a gym, wear sports clothes or simply believe that you belong there. If you’ve ever felt nervous about exercising because of your weight or worried about what other people might think, you’re definitely not alone.
These articles are here to remind you that everyone starts somewhere and that your health is far more important than anyone else’s opinion.
Read how to feel confident exercising at any size – my guide
More confidence articles
Exercise Equipment & Buying Guides
There’s no shortage of fitness gadgets and equipment available, but you certainly don’t need to buy everything to become healthier. These guides will help you decide what’s worth spending your money on and what you can happily skip.
Buying guides
Exercise & Weight Loss
Exercise can certainly help with weight loss, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. More importantly, moving your body has so many benefits beyond burning calories, from improving your mood and sleep to building strength and confidence.
If you’re trying to lose weight, these articles explain how exercise fits into a healthy, balanced lifestyle without becoming something you dread.
Read: Can You Lose Inches Without Losing Weight?
More weight loss exercise guides
Keep Building Healthy Habits
Exercise is just one part of living a healthier, happier life. If you’re looking for more support, explore my weight loss guides, healthy recipes and wellbeing articles to help you build habits that feel realistic, enjoyable and sustainable.
Remember, you don’t have to become a completely different person overnight. Every walk, every stretch and every workout is another step towards looking after yourself. Progress isn’t about being perfect, it’s about keeping going. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and remember to become your own cheerleader.
If you are looking to exercise for weight loss, it is important to choose something you will enjoy. Equally, it may influence you to know how many calories each of your preferred exercises burns. Use my exercise calorie calculator to see how many calories different exercises can burn.
Check out my journal to help you
My 12 Weeks to a Better Me Journal
Buy Now →Trusted Sources for Exercise Advice
There is so much exercise advice online that it can be difficult to know what to trust. Social media is full of quick fixes, fitness challenges and influencers claiming their workout is the only one that works. While some of that advice can be helpful, it’s always worth checking information against reliable, evidence-based sources.
The articles on Just Average Jen are based on my own experiences and the research I’ve carried out over many years of writing about health and wellbeing. However, I’m not a personal trainer or medical professional, so if you have a health condition, an injury or concerns about starting exercise, it’s always best to seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
These are some of the organisations and resources I recommend if you’d like to learn more about exercising safely, improving your fitness or finding activities that suit your needs.
Recommended resources
NHS Better Health
Advice on getting active, improving fitness, strength exercises and healthy lifestyle changes, with practical guidance for beginners.
NHS Live Well
Reliable information about exercise, physical activity, stretching, strength training and exercising safely if you have health conditions.
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
Information about qualified fitness professionals and standards within the fitness industry, helping you choose instructors and personal trainers with recognised qualifications.
Sport England
Ideas, inspiration and guidance to help people of all ages and abilities become more active, including activities that don’t involve joining a gym.
British Heart Foundation
Excellent advice about exercising safely, becoming more active and improving heart health through regular physical activity.
Versus Arthritis
Helpful information on exercising with arthritis or joint pain, including gentle activities that can improve mobility and reduce stiffness.
Your GP or Healthcare Team
If you’re living with a long-term health condition, have been inactive for a while or are worried about starting exercise, your GP or healthcare team can help you find safe ways to become more active and may be able to refer you to local exercise programmes or specialist support.
Looking for more ways to live a healthier lifestyle? Explore my weight loss guides, healthy recipes and wellbeing articles for realistic advice, honest experiences and practical tips to help you build healthy habits that last.
You don’t need to be the fastest, strongest or fittest person in the room for exercise to make a difference. Every step, every stretch and every little bit of movement counts. Start where you are, keep going at your own pace and don’t forget to become your own cheerleader.