24 April,2012 10:50 AM IST | | ANI
Due to lack of body-confidence and low self-esteem, many women resort to exercising in the dark rather than face the embarrassment of being seen in public, according to research by the mental health charity organisation.
The humiliation of getting red in the face or the shame of seeing their flab wobble in public was a major deterrent for 60 per cent quizzed.
More than 50 per cent said they would not leave home to exercise because they were ashamed of being spotted in daylight - even though exercising outdoors is often prescribed as a therapy to boost mood.
Meanwhile, a separate study found that confidence levels of British women are at an all time low.
Only 13 per cent have the self belief to call themselves attractive - and one in four admitted that pressure to be "beautiful" comes from themselves not from their peers, research by a leading skin care company found.
Beth Murphy, head of information at the mental health charity organisation, said women should help each other to increase morale.
"For many of us exercising in the great outdoors can be incredibly daunting. But it's time we start talking about how exercise makes us feel," the Daily Express quoted her as saying.
"We urge women to take the first step, invite a friend on a nature date and begin to support each other in taking care of our mental wellbeing," she added.
