Latest news with #Couchto5K
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Fern Britton reveals how she lost five stone after end of 20-year marriage and ‘lying in bed feeling sorry for herself'
FERN Britton says she chose to lose five stone over lying in bed "feeling sorry for herself". The ex This Morning presenter, 67, has been on a health kick for 18-months after realising: "I need to get my life back on track." Advertisement 3 Fern Britton revealed her striking new look after losing five stone Credit: David Venni/futurenet 3 The 67-year-old pictured after Celebrity Big Brother in March 2024 Credit: Rex She told how she quit booze and smoking and cut 80 per cent of sugar out her diet to lose the weight naturally. Celebrity Big Brother star Fern told "At times, I get more tired than I used to or when I'm working in the garden, I think, 'That's heavy'." She said of her twin sons Harry and Jack, 31, and daughter Grace, 27, from her first marriage, to Clive Jones, and daughter Winnie, 23, with Phil Vickery: "I don't want them to feel guilty about not seeing me or worried about me if I'm not well. Advertisement READ MORE ON FERN BRITTON "It's important that I show them I'm living my own life well." Fern says a shoulder replacement kick-started her need to get her eating under control. She started the Couch to 5K and has today been showing off her new look, five stone down. It comes after the end of her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil. Advertisement Most read in News TV "I told myself, 'I need to stop smoking, stop drinking, get eating under control and stop lying in bed feeling sorry for myself'", Fern added. She admits she's "feeling pretty good", but "it would be foolish to say I feel spot on 100 per cent of the time" since the split. 3 She has transformed her lifestyle to lose weight naturally Credit: David Venni/futurenet
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fern Britton reveals how she lost five stone after end of 20-year marriage and ‘lying in bed feeling sorry for herself'
The former presenter said she needed to get her life 'back on track' wake up call Fern Britton reveals how she lost five stone after end of 20-year marriage and 'lying in bed feeling sorry for herself' FERN Britton says she chose to lose five stone over lying in bed "feeling sorry for herself". The ex This Morning presenter, 67, has been on a health kick for 18-months after realising: "I need to get my life back on track." 3 Fern Britton revealed her striking new look after losing five stone Credit: David Venni/futurenet 3 The 67-year-old pictured after Celebrity Big Brother in March 2024 Credit: Rex She told how she quit booze and smoking and cut 80 per cent of sugar out her diet to lose the weight naturally. Celebrity Big Brother star Fern told Woman&Home magazine: "I'm just two years off 70 so it's very real. I can't believe it, actually! "At times, I get more tired than I used to or when I'm working in the garden, I think, 'That's heavy'." She said of her twin sons Harry and Jack, 31, and daughter Grace, 27, from her first marriage, to Clive Jones, and daughter Winnie, 23, with Phil Vickery: "I don't want them to feel guilty about not seeing me or worried about me if I'm not well. "It's important that I show them I'm living my own life well." Fern says a shoulder replacement kick-started her need to get her eating under control. She started the Couch to 5K and has today been showing off her new look, five stone down. It comes after the end of her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil. "I told myself, 'I need to stop smoking, stop drinking, get eating under control and stop lying in bed feeling sorry for myself'", Fern added. She admits she's "feeling pretty good", but "it would be foolish to say I feel spot on 100 per cent of the time" since the split.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
‘I went from a prisoner at home to running the London Marathon with stage four cancer'
Linda Jackson, who is living with stage 4 metastatic cancer, is running this year's London Marathon alongside her son David for Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice Since it began in 1981, the London Marathon has raised over £1.3 billion for charity, making it the world's largest annual one-day fundraising event. On Sunday April 27, more than 56,000 people are expected to line up at this year's start line and take on the iconic 26.2-mile route, including Linda Jackson, 58, and her 23-year-old son David. Having first been diagnosed with metastatic cancer in 2011, Linda is living with stage 4 metastatic cancer and is running the marathon for Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice. Despite remembering watching one of the first ever London Marathons as a child and thinking she could never take part herself, she's looking forward to her latest challenge and is determined to cross the finish line. READ MORE: 'I had to learn how to walk again - now I'm running a marathon' 'I was first diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumour which had spread to my liver when Dave, my son, was 10. It was a complete rollercoaster. While they were monitoring me and managing my cancer, they picked up that I had primary breast cancer. I then went on the primary breast cancer journey of a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A couple of years later they picked up that my breast cancer had spread to my bones, my lungs, my ribs and spine,' she tells the Mirror. 'It's all a bit of a blur. You just live day by day and make the most of it. About two years ago I was struggling to breathe and found climbing the stairs a bit tricky. I went back to the doctor and they found that my lung metastases were growing and my lung was gradually filling up with fluid. I was really quite breathless, almost a prisoner in my own home at that stage.' Having spotted a banner for Move Against Cancer's '5K Your Way' group while in the waiting room in the oncology unit one day, Linda decided to head to a local Parkrun event in May 2022. From there, everything changed. 'One of the oncologists said, 'I'll run with you, Linda'. I said 'no, I'm going to be walking. I'll be huffing and puffing, but I want to do it. I want a sense of achievement'. So she walked with me. It was like having a one-to-one tutorial and she talked to me about steroids, dietary needs and how exercise was key. I asked how much more damage I'd cause to my lungs by exercising and she told me that the more you exercise, the better it is for your body, your chemotherapy and everything,' she explains. 'I thought the best project I could work on was me, so I looked at my diet and tried to walk more and gradually things improved. I completed the Couch to 5K within about nine months and I was able to actually move around the Parkrun.' Having progressed with her running, it was this time last year that the thought of taking on the London Marathon first crossed Linda's mind. After her son David attended the event to cheer on a friend, he eagerly entered the ballot – as did Linda. Although neither secured a place via the ballot, Linda was able to secure a charity spot and is now raising money for Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice. What's more, David will be her support runner. 'Being able to have a support runner was a huge relief to me. I initially asked my husband if he'd be one. He's been hugely supportive, but he replied, 'I'll train with you, I'll do what you want, but I'm not gonna do the marathon', so then I asked Dave how he felt about the prospect,' she says. Despite giving her son time to think over the decision, his response was an immediate yes and the pair have spent months training together. 'It's been fab. We've gone to Cardiff where he's a post-grad medical student. He's accompanied me and has shown me around and we've plodded the pavements. He's worked miracles and increased my confidence. I couldn't have a better support runner. We've had an awful lot of fun too,' Linda explains. As part of the training process, Linda has discovered the power of exercise. Where once she would exercise three times a week, she's been able to build up her training, though has listened to her body every step of the way. 'I pledge that exercise is the best medicine and it's something that you can do for yourself, so that's helped me and motivated me through this,' she says. 'I downloaded an app at Christmas time when everybody else who's training for a marathon does. I tried to do what they suggested with the exercises, but I realised the app didn't know when I was having an off day, or when I was on my chemo, yet I was supposed to do a long run. I thought, I'm going to have to be kind to myself. If you can't do it today, there's another day tomorrow. Some days I had to turn around but on other days, I felt great. I just worked with how my body felt, really.' And during the harder moments, Linda has found support in the people around her. 'It has been challenging being on chemotherapy. The biggest challenge, I think, was getting huge blisterings on my hands and feet, but I couldn't feel them because of my neuropathy,' she explains. 'Move Against Cancer has been really supportive. Lucy Gossage is an oncologist who set up the 5K Your Way initiative and at times when my feet were blistering and hands were puffy as a side effect of some of the chemo, I contacted her and she took the time to message me. I was so positive and determined to do it, so I reached out to those that were positive and could help me with some of the challenges that I was facing.' With this year's London Marathon on the horizon, the final preparations are underway for Linda, David and their fellow runners. Although the nerves are naturally there, she can't wait to be in her spot at the start line. 'Once I get to the start line, I know I'll be absolutely delighted. I read some data that 98% of people who get to that start line will finish. I thought that's such a positive message,' she says. 'I've got friends and family that are turning up who have plans on how they're going to support us. I just want it to be a fun day. I want it to be a great memory and I'm really looking forward to it.'
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
What is Couch to 5k and how do I start?
Couch to 5K is a free beginner-friendly running plan from BBC Sport and the government's Department of Health and Social nine-week structured programme has got hundreds of thousands of people from being non-runners to be able to complete Couch to 5K - the ground-breaking free fitness app developed in partnership with BBC Sport - has had more than seven million downloads since its launch in are ways to download the NHS Couch to 5K app:Apple, externalAndroid, externalThe app assists newcomers to run three times a week, guiding beginners through a gradual transition from couch-bound spectators to confident users graduate from the nine-week programme, they can unlock access to Beyond Couch to 5K. This new feature will help motivate people to make running habitual, and aid them to improve further on speed, stamina and Department of Health and Social Care says regular running has been shown to reduce the risk of long-term illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, as well as helping to maintain a healthier weight and improve mood and wellbeing. The Couch to 5K Podcast BBC Sport has also launched a new podcast on BBC Sounds - The Couch to 5K Podcast - presented by Giovanna the opening episodes, Fletcher is joined by BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley, TikTok star Charley Marlowe, and Lindsey Burrow - the widow of rugby legend said: "Being part of The Couch to 5K Podcast has been such a joy. Running can do wonders for your mind and body, and this podcast is all about offering support, motivation and a friendly voice to keep you going - no matter where you are on your journey."MP Ashley Dalton, minister for public health and prevention, said: "As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to preventing ill health before it starts, including breaking down barriers to exercise and getting the nation fitter."The NHS Couch to 5K App is a brilliant example of this - it offers exactly what we all need: support, encouragement and a friendly voice cheering you on at every step."Whiley, who features in episode one of the new podcast, once disliked running but is now a coach for the Couch to 5K app."It's one of the best things I've ever done in my career - 100%," said Whiley."I have been at so many different festivals where such a variety of people of all different shapes and sizes and fitness abilities come over to me and saying 'Couch to 5K! It's changed my life!'"The first episode of The Couch to 5K Podcast is available on BBC Sounds now. Further episodes will be released weekly from 5 article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. More questions answered... Why is snooker played in silence?How do the NBA play-offs work?What is the Crucible curse?What is a tifo banner? What questions would you ask? We're looking for your questions for the Ask Me Anything team. Post them in the comments section and we'll look to answer the best of them in the future.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Giovanna Fletcher brings star power and inspiration to new BBC Sport Couch to 5K Podcast
Best-selling author, actress, presenter, and beloved podcast host Giovanna Fletcher is fronting a brand-new Couch to 5K podcast, launching exclusively on BBC Sounds from Friday, 25 April. Created by BBC Sport in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care, this fresh audio companion to the popular NHS Couch to 5K app is designed to inspire the nation to get moving. Each week, Giovanna is joined by special guests – including Jo Whiley, Charley Marlowe, and Lindsey Burrow – who share powerful, personal stories to keep you motivated with every step. Whether you're lacing up for your first run or getting back into the rhythm, the podcast brings warmth, encouragement, and real-life inspiration to help you stay on track. Giovanna Fletcher said: 'Being part of The Couch to 5K Podcast has been such a joy. Running can do wonders for your mind and body, and this podcast is all about offering support, motivation and a friendly voice to keep you going—no matter where you are on your journey.' Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention said: "Getting active isn't just good for your body – it works wonders for your mental wellbeing too, clearing your mind and boosting your motivation. And that's true for every single one of us, regardless of our starting point. 'As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to preventing ill health before it starts, including breaking down barriers to exercise and getting the nation fitter. 'The NHS Couch to 5K App is a brilliant example of this– it offers exactly what we all need: support, encouragement and a friendly voice cheering you on at every step.' BBC Radio 2 presenter, Jo Whiley, who once disliked running, reflects on how coaching for the Couch to 5K app has been one of the best experiences of her life. Jo Whiley says: 'It's one of the best things I've ever done in my career. 100 per cent.' 'I have been at so many different festivals where such a variety of people of all different shapes and sizes and fitness abilities coming over to me and saying 'Couch to 5K! It's changed my life!' Also set to join Giovanna in upcoming episodes are Dr Punam Krishnan, a GP who shares insight into the health benefits of running, Coronation Street star Colson Smith who talks about how running helped him with weight loss and Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny. With more guests to be announced, Giovanna's podcast brings humour, heart and real talk to support and keep you company on your Couch to 5K journey one step at a time. BBC Sport has long been at the heart of the nation's most iconic sporting moments, from global tournaments to local triumphs. With a huge summer ahead, including the Women's EURO and the Women's Rugby World Cup, The Couch to 5K Podcast reflects BBC Sport's commitment to not just covering sport, but encouraging participation, by making movement feel accessible, inclusive, and something that brings people together. Listen to the first episode of The Couch to 5K Podcast on BBC Sounds, Friday 25 April. Further episodes will be released weekly from 5 May. CF About NHS Couch to 5K NHS Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners. It is based on the plan designed by Josh Clark in 1996, who wanted to help his 50-something mum get off the couch and start running. The plan involves 3 runs a week, with a day of rest in between, and a different schedule for each of the 9 weeks. The idea behind the programme was to gradually build endurance and stamina over the course of several weeks, starting with short intervals of running interspersed with walking.
