Last summer – during that 40°C heatwave – we wrote about the fact that lots of women, no matter how hot it gets, simply refuse to run or walk in shorts. I was out running on that extremely hot morning (in short shorts) and saw several female runners all dressed in leggings. 

After chatting with various members of the Strong Women community, it became clear that lots of women simply didn’t feel safe or secure enough to wear shorts.

And that fact hasn’t changed over the past 12 months. In fact, a new report from This Girl Can (TGC) has revealed that almost half of British women are too scared to show their bodies while exercising this summer. 

TGC found that 48% of those women believe they’re too ‘unfit’ to exercise in the way they want over the summer, with a depressing 40% believing that they’re not good enough to give it a try. 

A third of women are worried about being sweaty while exercising during the warmer months.

Fundamentally, the report found that a massive proportion of women are so consumed by a fear of being judged, that we aren’t accessing the overwhelming mental and physical benefits that exercise and movement can offer. 

It’s all very well us telling you that everyone should feel entitled to move – whatever their shape or ability – but if you’ve been told the opposite since childhood, that’s not always so easy to believe. 

If you’ve grown up with PE teachers getting sporty kids to choose their teammates in order of skills or popularity for games or been surrounded by marketing campaigns equating fitness with thinness or struggled to find athleisurewear that fits, you’ll probably have some negative or disordered feelings towards exercise as an adult. Even if you had a reasonably easy time as a kid, growing up in a diet culture-saturated society will have had an effect. 

But reports like this (however depressing they might seem) are an important step towards recognising the issues that plague so many of us.

“Since This Girl Can was born in 2015, we’ve been helping women to battle the deep-rooted fear of judgment,” says Kate Dale, director of marketing at Sport England. “While we’ve made significant strides, it’s an ongoing fight. We exist to support women in overcoming these types of emotional barriers, so they can enjoy getting active the way they deserve.

“From jogs with friends over a catch-up to solo strolls or family bike rides, summer is a brilliant time to reap the benefits of moving your body while enjoying the great outdoors.”

Here, Cate Campbell, an expert BACP-accredited psychotherapist, shares her top tips. 

Where do your negative feelings come from?

“Any woman feeling too old, young, unfit, sweaty or anxious to exercise should ask themselves where those ideas come from,” Campbell says.

“Ask yourself: ‘Is there really anything wrong with me or are my beliefs based on unnecessary societal standards?’ We come in all shapes and sizes – very few coincide with the bodies of models used in advertising.

“Try looking at women and girls who are active in the street, parks and sports facilities who are improving their health while having fun. They’re all very different, and many will have overcome ideas about their bodies and their right to exercise – so you can too.”

Try something new

Campbell suggests looking at a new exercise regime as an experiment. Try to find something you actively enjoy – even if that means trying a few different types of exercise.

“Remember it’s completely natural to feel wary when embarking on anything new, and completely OK to experiment with different activities until you find one that suits you.”

Focus on what you want to get out of exercise

We’ve said this time and time again, but the vast majority of people couldn’t give a damn about what you look like or how you exercise. At the gym, people are focused on what they’re doing, and out on the streets, most people are glued to their phones.

Rather than worrying about what some random stranger thinks about you, concentrate on what you want to get out of the exercise you’ve chosen. 

“Focus on what you want to get out of the activity and how you will feel when you’ve tried it, rather than the initial nervousness (and also know the nervousness is completely natural with anything new). It’s likely you’ll have fun, make friends, feel fitter and end with a wonderful sense of achievement. Whereas if you don’t try the activity, you could end up staying at home and reinforcing your own self-doubt.”

If you don’t move for yourself, do it for someone you love

We’re rubbish at prioritising our own needs – putting mates, colleagues and family above ourselves. And when we do steal the odd hour, we can feel guilty about it. 

“If you’re one of the many women feeling guilty about prioritising yourself this summer, bear in mind you could have more energy and a better mood if you participate in an enjoyable activity that helps keep you fit and offers fun and friendship,” Campbell says.

“Taking the time to move your body – an important part of self-care – will help you to be the best version of yourself, meaning your family, friends and work will benefit, too.”

Images: Getty