Getting A New Figure For The New Year
By admin • Dec 15th, 2009Every year is the same - we gorge ourselves for days Christmas on chocolate, wine and turkey with all the trimmings, before vowing to do something about it once the bells strike midnight on New Year’s Eve.
But how many of us actually keep these promises by banishing their mocha coffees during the day, Indian or Chinese takeaways at the weekend and who continues to go to the gym once their introductory period has run out?
Maybe this year will be the time when more women stick to their resolution in an effort to ring in 2011 in the perfect party dress they’ve always wanted but never been able to fit into.
So, what can ladies expect the fitness trends to be in the new year and will there finally be anything that makes exercising fun?
Elin Tough, deputy features editor at Zest, says that cycling is likely to prove particularly popular with young women as not only is it a great way to get fit, the activity can also be enjoyed by the whole family and is free to do.
In addition, cycling can even save people money as they do not have to fork out on bus or train tickets or fill the car with petrol as frequently.
"One of the best things about outdoor exercise is that it’s free - running, cycling, wild swimming - people are increasingly leaving indoor exercise behind to explore the outdoors and yes, that includes local rivers and lakes," Ms Tough adds.
However, women who do not feel comfortable braving the elements for a spot of outdoor swimming can get fit from the comfort of their own homes.
Ms Tough explains that doing a home workout is becoming increasingly popular and accessible and such a regime means ladies are able to tone up their stomachs in the warmth and comfort of their homes while listening to the radio or even watching TV.
And ladies who wish to make friends while getting fit could choose to join up with a yoga or aerobics class, or could even attempt to drag their partner out for dance lessons - they may even enjoy it and such couples could soon be lighting up the dance floor John Travolta style when they go out on the town.
Fitness doesn’t have to stop when taking a holiday either, Ms Tough explains, as women could feel guilt-free about enjoying posh evening meals at restaurants by joining in activities such as skiing or water sports the next day.
However, getting fit is not just about getting the figure you have always dreamed of - it can also help improve health levels.
This may be particularly advisable after recent research by Welch’s Purple Grape Juice revealed that 22 per cent of people get "puffed" out when they have to run upstairs.
Furthermore, one in five respondents went as far as to admit they started sweating after running the vacuum around the house for just 16 minutes and four in ten were forced to have a sit down after mowing the lawn.
And with three out of ten people admitting they felt achy and breathless after lifting shopping in and out of the car or to the house, now could be the perfect time to get fit.
When a trip clothes shopping becomes a chore which leaves women perspiring, rather than a fun day out, it may be time for a change.
Indeed, in addition to getting a trim and toned figure, cleaning the house and doing the gardening may never leave people sweating again.
Will you be getting fit in the new year?