Fern Britton's fitness tips

Don't be scared

Suddenly when you don't have your children to look after you can lose your confidence to be able to do things. Some people say to me, I would love to come on your rides but I'm scared. We are all scared of all sorts of things but that gives you energy. I have cycled on some of the world's most dangerous roads but I'm still here.

Always have a life goal...

...and the minute you've fulfilled one goal think of another otherwise you will sit back and think, oh, I've done that;. I am thinking of new challenges all the time; I'm cycling in Kerala in October and then next year I'll be doing it in Burma.

Enjoy it

Find the exercise that works for you. It might be swimming, it might be bowls. Just find the right thing.

Ways to exercise without going to the gym 

Be kind to yourself

I don't go running if it's pouring with rain.

Always have a plan to look forward to

Know that on Sunday you are going out and doing something. Put it in the diary.

Do something with friends

They can help you pick up your pace and make something more enjoyable.

In May Fern cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for the Genesis Research Trust which supports advances in miscarriage. 

Read our in-depth interview with Fern Britton in the August 2015 issue of Saga Magazine. Subscribe to the print edition or download the digital edition.