Ease aches AND PAINS

This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman reveals how to stop stiffness before it puts you off getting fit and healthy

- By Annie Deadman

Summer is now a distant memory, so we can tuck it away in the back of our minds and focus on other things. Traditionally, now's a time for people to pick up the reins of their fitness regime and head into autumn with new goals, challenges and plans.

If you started yours back in August and went for it in a no-holds-barred kind of way, now might be a time when your body is reminding you of a few weaknesses - you may have niggles, aches and tender bits that you could really do without. They're holding you back, sending your motivation plummeting and generally making you feel a bit 'meh'. I'd like to help.

As someone who exercises regularly (and I confess I do like to push myself), I have had my fair share of 'oohs', 'aahs' and twinges, so I know a thing or two about injuries and how to fix them. It will take dedication and a few crucial-but-deadly-dull exercises to do each day, but if you are consistent in your effort, then it will pay off.