Feature: New Year, New You - Best ways to get fit in 2011

Wednesday, 5 January 2011 3:08 PM

If you are one of those whose New Year’s resolution for the fifth year running is to get fit, why not find inspiration and motivation in some of the many exciting activities available across the globe. One of the best ways to ensure that this year’s resolution becomes a reality is to kick start 2011 with an active break to an exotic destination. Is there a better way to find motivation? No we didn’t think so! So, pack your walking boots, running shoes or cycling shorts and head off to enjoy some of the world’s most exhilarating active breaks. We’ve packed our skis as well, there is no harm in catching some of this season’s last snow.

If this doesn’t inspire you to get fit, nothing will…! Choose from a skiing holiday in the French Alps, a cycling adventure in Peru, a walking experience in Hyde Park or a rejuvenating wellness break in Madeira. We at ActivityAwat.co.uk have searched for the top activities to help you get fit for 2011…and there is something for everyone. So, no excuse is good enough this year.

Skiing – hit the slopes before the snow melts
There is still time to enjoy some great winter skiing and we would love nothing more than to sneak in a January ski weekend on the road to a healthier lifestyle. And La Clusaz, sweet little French resort just an hour from Geneva, was already tempting before the launch of a new spa. But now the Au Coeur du Village Hotel & Spa has opened, we’re convinced that this is the place to hit the slopes in the New Year. It’s handy for the airport, with enough terrain to keep you active for a few days. And with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the slopes, open fires and a spa, getting into shape seems like more of a treat than a punishment.

For an alternative snow experience, that still keeps your heart rate up, head to Lebanon to test your skills at snowshoeing. Lebanon’s appeal just grows in leaps and bounds but we tend to hear more about the food and Beirut’s nightlife than winter sports, even though the country has spectacular mountains. A five-day snowshoeing adventure in the Shouf Cedar reserve is bound to leave wanting more of the white stuff.

Walking – close to home or far away
There is no need to jet off to foreign shores to kick start a healthier lifestyle this year. Britain boasts a wide range of spectacular walking and hiking trails perfect for both the more experienced walker or for a family day out. Perhaps, London’s largest park isn’t the first destination you think of when planning a walking tour but Hyde Park offers a beautiful setting for a brisk walk in the early weeks of 2011. Escape the city’s heaving streets by heading for the banks of the Serpentine in the leafy park. You’ll be accompanied by the warbling of wildfowl, the restful lapping of the lake and the splash of Italianate fountains. But there are plenty of parks across the UK to keep you motivated. Get exploring!

If the sound of Hyde Park doesn’t take your fancy and if it’s altitude you’re after, a trip to Everest base camp won’t disappoint. There’s a view around every corner in these parts – and it’s a brilliant fat burner! Do we need to say more?! But if you have never tested your walking skills before, a tour of Hyde Park could be a good start before you make your way to Everest.

HF Holidays offers more information about walking holidays and leisure activities.

Kayaking – one for the summer
Admittedly, it’s January and the thought of braving the winter cold and jump into a kayak to get fit is not the most appealing. So, instead our thoughts are turning towards doing something active later in the year – we need to make the good intentions last the whole year. Maybe you’re not quite prepared to sign away your evenings to a rowing machine in the local gym, but a kayaking adventure around Lake Tahoe in California? Tempting right?! The largest mountain lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is probably best known for its ski resorts, but in summer it’s a stunning spot for a paddle-powered pootle. Clear waters and white sand beaches make it all even more appealing. And there are plenty of other active opportunities around the lake as well. Paths thread off into the wilds for hiking, biking and do-what-you-liking. For more inspiration visit Tahoe Adventure Company.

Wellness – a softer approach to fitness
If your approach to a healthier lifestyle is of a more laid-back nature, we have a couple of jewels up our sleeve. If you need a post-Christmas detox – let’s face it, who doesn’t after the holidays – Madeira is one of Europe’s leading spa destinations. So, why not head to the Portuguese island for some January pampering? Last year saw a number of new flight services to and from the UK, making Madeira even more popular with British spa guests. In addition to better connections between the UK and Madeira, recent years have also seen a clutch of new wellness resorts opening, aiming to pull in a younger, hipper crowd. The Vine has become Funchal’s coolest address, Melia Madeira Mare has a state-of-the-art Malo Clinic Spa and the Palheiro Spa is set in the grounds of the historic Palheiro Estate country house hotel.

But there are plenty of spa and wellness holiday options available to help you kick start your new health and beauty regime. For inspiration, Sanctuary Spa Holidays, Body and Soul Holidays and a range of other operators have recommendations for the perfect wellness getaway.

Cycling – biking like a Viking
True, cycling in Scandinavia might be more of a spring and summer activity but if you don’t mind a bit of cold and snow, winter is a beautiful time to visit the region...and Denmark is absolutely ideal for cyclists. It’s flat, easygoing and there are hundreds of islands to explore. For the more adventurous and experienced cyclist, Sweden and Norway offer a more rugged terrain where you get to test your two-wheeled skills. Because of the very different landscapes in these three countries, cycling tours in Scandinavia is something out of the ordinary – but perhaps best left for the summer months.

For a completely differing cycling adventure (and here we really mean ADENTURE!) head for Peru and Machu Picchu. You’ve probably seen people trekking up the classic Inca Trail to reach the lost city, but there is an alternative. An alternative which involves pedalling some of the way. Skedaddle has a 15-day trip which combines six days’ cycling through the Sacred Valley – pat the Inca ruins of Pisac, the colonial town of Paucartambo and through Amazon rainforest – with the classic Inca Trail. After four days of trekking, over Dead Woman’s Pass and past the ruins of Winay Wayna, you reach Machu Picchu.

And there is more...
You didn't think you would get off that easy did you? If you’re serious about getting fit this year and sticking to a healthier lifestyle, an active adventure break can be a great way to kick off the New You...but it can also be the perfect motivation factor. The weather may still be cold and miserable in the UK but there are plenty of active sun options available a bit further afield. And with spring and summer only a few months away, places such as Club La Santa in Lanzarote and Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort are already gearing up for the season. Active holidays can be as active as you wish.