The new year is often a time when we set goals for the next twelve months ahead. It may feel like we intend to get fit and healthy every year, but these resolutions often fall by the wayside in the first few weeks.

This year, why not make getting fit more achievable by following these tips to lead an overall  more active lifestyle in 2018:

Set a steps goal

Simply by walking more, you can improve your health and fitness and even shed weight in the process. If you’re walking 10,000 steps a day, you will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 more calories in a week than you would otherwise. You can add more steps into your daily journey by taking the stairs instead of the lift, or getting off a stop early on public transport.

On the weekends, why not head to the great outdoors to combine some exercise with a great day out.  Many mobile devices now track your steps too, or you can invest in a FitBit to help you reach your daily goal.

Give gardening a go

You may be more inclined to flex your green fingers when you realise that gardening can burn up to 350 calories an hour. In order to reap the physical benefits, work at a steady pace during weeding, turning compost or digging, for a full body workout. If another of your resolutions is to get your garden in tip-top shape ready for summer, this is a great way to achieve two goals at the same time. Another bonus of getting out in the garden is that by being outside and around nature, you’re likely to feel happier - and that’s before factoring in the endorphin boost that results from physical activity.

Exercise with a friend

When we can’t find the motivation to drag ourselves to the gym, having a workout buddy can provide great accountability and keep us on track to our fitness goals. If you’re pressed for time, why not enlist a work colleague to take a gym class or go for a brisk stroll with on your lunch break. A convenient way to add more activity to your social life could be to grab a coffee to go and catch up with a friend on a walk instead of sitting indoors.

Do some spring cleaning

It’s great to be house proud, and you may find yourself more motivated to clean the house when you can incorporate a workout into household tasks. Put some music on and get stuck into cleaning, dusting and mopping, which can burn 160 calories an hour!

Try something new

The best way to stick to an exercise routine is simply to enjoy it! The new year can be a great time to try a new activity, be it ballroom dancing, horse riding or yoga. If you’ve been wanting to join a new fitness club, take advantage of new year deals as you may be able to sign up at an introductory price. By mixing up an exercise routine you are also more likely to reach your fitness goals as your body is required to adapt to a new discipline. Taking up a new activity is also a great way to make new friends, meaning that you can combine socialising with exercise and, most importantly, having fun!