Athlete and Loose Women star Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down after running into a health issue, admitting she ‘overdid it’.

Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down after running into a health issue(Image: Simon John Owen)

Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down this year after feeling extreme burnout amid her busy schedule.

The Olympian, 55, who is known for her impressive career as a middle distance runner, admitted to Mirror that a busy year last year left her unable to carry on. “I was travelling all over the world, often doing five or six speaking engagements a week, I had my big 20-year medal celebrations and visiting Machu Picchu for charity. But burnout is a big issue for me, by January I could feel something wasn’t right health wise,” she explained.

Kelly, who is now a regular on the Loose Women panel, continued, “I took it as a sign that, while last year was amazing, I overdid it, and I couldn’t do the same this year.

“I can’t jump out of bed every day full of energy, and not every day is motivating. If I’m not feeling up to it, I don’t need to run the half-marathon, for example, I’d rather be there in full spirit and energising everybody else.”

Dame Kelly is known for her impressive athletic career, but admits she has had to slow down this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Explaining that the time enjoying a slower pace of life has been one she’s enjoyed, Kelly said: “I’ve been able to look at every part of how I deal with things now, and that’s a real strength. Over the last four or five months, I think I’ve spent more timeat home than I have in years. I love being out in the garden – and with my alpacas!”

However, as Kelly says she still aims for 12,500 steps a day, often takes part in parkruns and keeps her nutrition in check, it’s clear she’s still more active than many.

She said: “I try to move every day, and that might be walking to a job rather than getting an Uber, because I’ll get my steps in and I can people watch! I use it as a wellbeing tool to make me feel good about myself. On a weekend, we might go paddleboarding or on a dog walk or meet up with friends.”

The athlete now enjoys more time at home with her pet alpacas(Image: Supplied)

And adding another thing to her busy roster, Kelly is the official ambassador for vitamin brand Solgar’s wellness partnership with The AJ Bell Great Run series this summer.

“I’m a huge fan of inspiring and motivating people to keep fit and moving in their lives – especially as we get older. Fitness has always been part of my life, but I’m at a point where I really understand the need for us to look at our overall wellbeing.

“So I’ve been going to the runs and it’s just been the best. I’ve seen people of all ages getting their moment when they cross the finish line,” she said of the partnership.

Kelly added: “Also, I’ve seen a huge amount of young women, in their mid-to-late twenties, taking part – more than I’d normally see. It was so positive to see that generation into their fitness and not being embarrassed or worried about the old vision of what women “should” look like. It’s changed, athletic, strong bodies are seen as beautiful now.

Dame Kelly Holmes is the official ambassador for Solgar, the wellness partner to the Great Run Series 2025