Safety note

Everything on Fitness Focussed is general information for healthy adults. It is not medical advice, and it cannot take your own health, history or circumstances into account.

Check first if any of these apply

Talk to your GP or another qualified professional before starting a new exercise routine or changing how you eat if you:

• have a heart, lung, kidney or metabolic condition, such as diabetes, or high blood pressure;
• are pregnant or have recently given birth;
• take regular medication, especially for blood pressure, blood sugar or heart rhythm;
• have a current injury, joint problem or ongoing pain;
• have been inactive for a long time and are unsure what is safe for you;
• have, or have had, an eating disorder or a difficult relationship with food or exercise.

Stop and get help

Stop exercising and seek urgent medical help if you have chest pain or tightness, feel faint or dizzy, have severe or unusual breathlessness, or notice a racing or irregular heartbeat. Sharp, sudden or worsening pain is also a reason to stop and get it checked rather than push through.

Food, weight and wellbeing

If thoughts about food, weight or exercise feel constant or distressing, you are not alone and help is available. Your GP or an eating disorder support service in your country is a good place to start.

Our responsibility, and yours

We take care to keep articles accurate and cautious, but guidance changes and no article can replace an assessment from someone who knows your situation. Use what you read here as a starting point for better questions, not as a diagnosis or treatment plan.