A friend wants to start exercising but keeps giving up after a week. What advice would you give them?

A natural way to answer

My advice would be to find something they actually enjoy. If you hate running, don't run. Dancing, swimming, cycling — anything counts. It's much easier to stick with it when it doesn't feel like a punishment.

Key phrases to use

• start small — to begin with something easy or modest rather than something big“If you want a new habit, start small and build up.”
• stick with it — to continue doing something even when it is hard“The first weeks are tough, but stick with it.”
• show up — to turn up and do the thing, even half-heartedly; to be present“Half the battle is just showing up.”