Former Lioness Jill Scott, one of England's most decorated football players, has turned her attention to a common British health issue: ignoring the body until something goes wrong. Research from Holland & Barrett shows that more than half of people only listen to their body when something feels off.
Gradual approach to fitness
Scott, who retired in 2022 after helping England win the Euros, advocates for small, sustainable changes. "You can't go from not having a good diet or exercising to being a new person tomorrow," she says. "If you try that, I guarantee you'll do it for two weeks then you'll just go back to how you were." She suggests starting with a couple of activities per week and building up gradually.
Post-retirement challenges
Adjusting to life outside professional football has been challenging. "You have to rediscover your purpose," Scott says. "For however many years I was Jill Scott the footballer, and then that goes and you're only 35 and thinking, 'Well, this is too early to retire, what am I going to do?'"
Personal fitness regime
Scott is currently taking a "bit of a rest" after completing a Sport Relief challenge in June, where she raised over £470,000 by running and cycling 388 miles from Wembley Stadium to Sunderland's Stadium of Light. She plans to continue cycling and running a couple of times a week, while being careful with niggly injuries from football.
Mental benefits of exercise
Scott highlights the mental health benefits of staying active. "Since retiring, I realised how much I overthink. When I was playing, I was so busy and exercising, it would stop it from happening," she says. "If you've got anything on your mind, something as simple as getting out for a run lets you think it through and you come back feeling better."
