It’s not the pavement’s fault that people aren’t exercising

According to Nice, one of the reasons people are inactive is because Britain’s pavements are riddled with holes and roads are riddled with cars.

Professor Mark Baker, the director of the centre for guidelines at Nice, said: “Handing back some of the roads to pedestrians and cyclists will help people to become more active.

“Simple things such as ensuring street lights along footpaths are working and hedges are kept trimmed makes walking a more attractive option, which will lead to people living healthier lives.”

This is all very well if you live in a town where everything is within walking distance of your house, not so much if you are out in the sticks. For many people, a fear of exercise has very little to do with what’s going on outside on the streets, and everything to do with what’s going on inside their heads.

People need to know that exercise is for everyone, not just professional athletes. I will never forget the words of a friend after I told them I was too scared to go out running in case people laughed at me. “Everyone’s too busy worrying about what they look like to worry about you.”

So exercise like nobody’s watching – and remember that in all likelihood, they’re not.