Here we go again. It's the start of another new year and with every New Year, people across the city and county are planning and plotting how different the year ahead will be. Whether it is on a mental, physical or cultural level, the New Year brings about a time for change in everyone. One of the biggest decisions of the New Year is to lose some weight and to get fit and no doubt the 2008 resolutions will be no different.

If you want and need to lose weight then engaging in some physical fitness is a good start, but all of us can benefit from adopting a healthy fitness regimen. Getting fit will increase your energy level, make your complexion glow, keep illness at bay, keep your mind sharp and yes, even make your clothes fit better. Give fitness a try, whether losing weight is among your goals or not, because being fit is great!

Walking

Walking is a relaxing and easy way to get started on a fitness program. You can vary the intensity of your walking depending on your fitness level and/or goals. There are lots of great paths and trails all over North America that cater to walking enthusiasts. Best of all, walking is as great for beginners as it is for advanced athletes.

Swimming

Often called the total body sport, swimming can be a great activity for people with joint issues, back problems or other health concerns. Because swimming is a 'no impact' sport, the risk of impact related injury is non-existent. Grab a suit, grab a towel and dive on in!

Weight Training

If you want to trim and tone, weight lifting (along with some sort of cardio activity) is one of your best bets. Weight training is not just for the muscle beach crowd; it can be beneficial to everybody. The more muscle mass you have, the more efficiently your body uses calories. Weight training requires some discipline and guidance, but is an excellent way to get your body looking lean and feeling great.

Salsa Slims

The choreographed dance exercise class run by Stepping Out in over one hundred venues throughout Ireland. Based on the sexy moves of Salsa this class has been producing amazing results since being started four years ago by former Irish salsa dance champion Sharon Tinkler. Based on what they term 'Lifestyle fitness' the class is all about dance and having fun. The class provides a full cardio vascular workout but the secret is you don't notice it. You are too busy enjoying the dance.

Cycling

Riding a bike - you have probably done it since you were very small - is one of the greatest ways to get in shape, and stay in shape. Whether you choose cycling, mountain biking or stationary training, biking is a fast way to raise your overall fitness while having fun.

Running

When you envision running, you probably will fall into one of two categories. Either you love it or you hate it; sometimes it is even a love/hate relationship. But what makes people love it? And what makes people who hate it keep doing it?

There are as many benefits of running as there are reasons that runners run. It may be to lose weight or get fit. Perhaps they run to stay healthy and happy. It could even be a way to meet people or to compete with themselves or others in races.

A primary reason many runners begin running is to lose weight; losing excess weight is one of the healthiest things one can do. Running also prevents muscle and bone loss that occurs naturally with old age. Running may also help fight disease; it certainly helps to strengthen your heart and whole cardiovascular system. These are just a few of the health benefits one earns from running.

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