Get Fit 2012

Is your aim to get fit and healthy for 2012?

We've come up with some Top Tips to help get you into the mood and start thinking about how to become fitter and healthier - and happier! All you need to have is the motivation...

1. Try before you buy If you're unsure about whether or not to join a gym - it's a great idea to take advantage of a free pass for a day or two, just to try it out. It is important to consider all aspects of your potential new gym, such as looking at the cost of your contract (including travel costs), what it can offer you and how helpful/supportive the staff are. Be realistic in your estimation of the time you have available as well as energy, as a gym membership can be a year long commitment. Check on the internet to see if a gym near you is offering a one-day pass - you'll be fit and healthy in no time!

2. What's your BMI? Firstly, head to your weighing scales, wipe the dust off and check how much you weigh! This may be scary - but you need to know where you are and where you want to get to. You can find out your Body Mass Index (BMI) by scrolling down to the bottom of the NHS website and using their "Healthy Weight Calculator".

The BMI is a measure that allows you to check if you're a healthy weight and height - but do beware - if you a high muscle percentage then this will push your BMI up due to how heavy the muscle is. Your BMI may vary if you are going through puberty and on your ethnic origin.

If you don't have access to weighing scales nor know your height - head down to Boots or your local gym and you should be able to find a machine that will calculate your BMI for you. It's important to then note down what sort of goal and establish an approrpriate length of time in which you wish to achieve that goal in.

3. Swim Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise and it will benefit your heart and lungs and muscles. It's also a great starting point for those who can't face running - as there is less force on your joints and bones and puts less strain on your heart than a full cardio workout.

Regular swimming also can build up muscle strength and stamina and improve your posture and flexibility. By swimming you will burn 3 calories a mile per pound of body weight and is good for pregnant women in helping strengthen the back and muscles which are essential when carrying a baby. If you go to a beach, then swimming will be free, but if not then why not consider getting a weekly pass at your local swimming pool?

4. Run Run Run One of things about the gym I can't understand is that sometimes people join up and just go on the running machines. Why do they do this? You can go running absolutely anywhere you want and the only thing that will cost any money is a decent pair of trainers.

There are lots of helpful websites to help you plan routes, such as WalkJogRun. Or you could just go to your nearest park and run round there!

Running is one of the best forms of aerobic exercises for the physical conditioning of your heart and lungs - it can help ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout your body. This can help lower the risk of a heart attack. It also helps to relieve any stress you may feel and will help make you feel happy.

5. Exercise at home If you can't afford the gym and you're not quite ready for running then there are plenty of workouts you can do at home. Why not consider buying an Exercise DVD? Some are quite cheap and you can even get a better deal by using our very own Magic Price Comparison.

The Charlie Brooks 'Before and After Workout' DVD comes highly recommended and has plenty of different routines to help keep you on your toes. Or why not buy a skipping rope or simply do some star jumps? As long as you get yourself into a routine once a day then you will start to feel the difference in your mind and body.

6. Watch your food intake If you are excercising on a regular basis - fantastic! However, in order to maintain a full healthy lifestyle then you need to take a closer look at your diet. It's not a good idea to starve yourself if that's what your thinking... a balanced diet is one of the best ways to healthy living.

Why not keep a food diary so you can understand what types of food and amounts you are putting into your body? Remember: you are what you eat! If you tend to do your shopping online - you could consider using MySupermarket. Not only will you save 20% with them but they also have a Swap and Save Calories Health checker which will alert you to other types of food similar to your choice but lower in calories! As you grow older your body will have different nutritional needs. Find about more about these life stages at the BBC Website.

7. Get together with your friends If you find that you can't motivate yourself to workout on your own - why not suggest to your friends that you meet up and excercise together? A gym buddy would be perfect - you can both help to motivate each other.

But if you're not up for joining a gym, why not organise a big game of frisbee or a kick-about with your friends down the park? Anything to get the blood pumping! Check out your local sports clubs, there may be an opportunity to join in some organised sports teams - there's nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition.

8. One Hundred Pushup Challenge This is a free but tough way to help your chest and define your abs, triceps, shoulders and torso. Best of all, it's absolutely free! The Hundred Push up Challenge is a progressive training program which will have you doing 100 push ups by the end!

9. Drink Plenty Of Water Water is one of the best tools for weight loss because you can replace all the high-calorie drinks like coke and juice. It also acts as a hunger supressant as often when we think we are hungry and feed ourselves, we're actually thirsty.

Being dehydrated can leave you feeling tired. It's also a great cure for headaches - often when you've got a headache it's a sign that you're dehydrated. Drinking water can also help clear up your skin - which is good for people with skin problems. It will also help the body to flush out toxins and waste products. Remember when you exercise to drink plenty of water - before, during and after.

10. Keep motivated This is probably the hardest part of all - and you only have yourself to keep you in check! Here are a few things that may help you keep motivated:

1. Write down a list of reasons why you want to get fit and healthy and pin them to your fridge. This will help remind you why you're doing it.

2. Make sure your goal is attainable. Ask at the gym or ask friends whether the goal you have set is a reasonable one - be prepared that they might say that you simply won't be able to swim in the next Olympics!

3. Tell your friends and family. You need people to know what you're trying to achieve - they will offer you support and help you get to your goal. They will also be proud of the lifestyle change that you are implementing.