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 Don’t we all just dread the new year….for some strange reason we all suddenly decide to change our lifestyles and expect to transform our bodies by suddenly forcing them into exercise regimes and diets.

The fact is that most of us need (and really should) change our lifestyles and significantly increase our levels of physical activity. Never mind the new year – it should be all year…..for all our lives.

Why is exercise such good idea? How about the fact that it significantly reduces your chances of suffering from coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, day-to-day coughs and sneezes, as well as many other illnesses? And then of course, it can help relieve stress, fight depression, protect your bones, boost your self-confidence and help you lose weight. But the one I like most is that it’s fun (if you choose the right exercise of course!)

So start by choosing something that you think you might enjoy. Then be realistic and add variety. If your choice of exercise is walking round the block 5 times a day, and you’re going to do it every day, then I’d lay money you’ll be bored stiff after about three days and hence give up. So do that once a week (or even once a month as it does sound quite boring to me!) and then include other things on other days.

Include other people – it makes motivation much easier and you’ll have more fun. I jog once week with a group of friends. We have a set time, and although we are all very busy working mums we have that slot protected in our diaries. We all benefit from not only the exercise, fresh air, and a momentary escape from the days chores but the jaws are exercised quite a lot as well! This is a good test of your level of exercise – to be doing any good, you should be breathless, but not so distressed that you can’t talk.

Make good use of your time. “I don’t have a spare minute in the day” is a statement we frequently hear. Working parents never stop, but we do seem to spend a lot of time waiting for the kids taking part in their activities – so why not do something in that time. Play squash, badminton or go to the gym if it’s nearby or otherwise just go for a walk…but don’t just sit there!

Give yourself a goal, and then share that goal with other people so they help you achieve it. Keep the goal realistic. One year, my goal was to complete the West Wight Triathlon which was in September – but that was a big time commitment and I had to really work hard to fit the training in. More realistic goals might be to be able to jog twice as far as you could when you started or to have attended a fitness class every week for 6 weeks. One you’ve achieved your goal, set yourself another one – write it down and stick it on the fridge where you are constantly reminded of it!

Don’t keep weighing yourself! If weight loss is your target it must happen gradually and slowly for it to be effective and permanent. Weighing yourself every day or week will simply serve as a de-motivation. What really matters is how you feel – are you feeling healthier, happier, less tired – if yes, then the weight will leave you when it’s ready (ie: when your body has got used to the increased activity and knows it’s going to be like this for ever). To lose weight, it’s simple – do more exercise and eat less – but don’t starve yourself as this will confuse the body’s metabolism and won’t help.

Be honest. If you’re aiming to lose weight and you’re still the same weight 6 months into your new life, then you’re kidding yourself somewhere! It’s a physical impossibility (I don’t care what anyone says!). If you burn more energy (ie: exercise) and consume less energy (ie: eat less) you will lose weight. If it’s not happening, then you’re eating too much and/or not doing enough exercise. Even you can’t change the laws of science!

You can exercise anywhere – I can think of very few (in fact no!) excuses not to exercise. If you can’t get out of the house, then walk up and down the stairs. If you can’t get out of your arm chair, then raise your arms above your head or practise getting out of your arm chair and sitting back down again. Gradually increase the number of times you do an exercise and then add new exercises.

If you have a medical condition and you haven’t exercised for a while, then check with your Doctor that it’s safe to start. He will encourage you (I’d like to know of any that don’t!) He should point you in the direction of one the many professionals who can help you exercise safely. Have a look at www.westwight.co.uk  to find out about what there is on offer. West Wight Sports Centre has qualified exercise consultants who will give you advice on what is appropriate to you.

Finally, when I started thinking about what to write here, I asked my colleagues for snippets about how they keep themselves motivated. Here’s the best one:

Step one:     Strip naked

Step two:     Stand in front of a full length mirror whilst holding a smaller mirror (to simultaneously view the rear).

Step three:   Ask yourself if Angelina Jolie (or Brad Pitt, depending on your persuasion) would still race home from a full day’s shoot to pounce on you.

As the answer will of course be a resounding “no” – get your raggedy arse down the gym. Toute de suite.

Apparently, he says it works for him every time!

So remember…exercise is for life, not just for the new year, so get up NOW and do some. Putting it off any longer is not going to help you one bit!