You don't have to spend loads of cash on expensive gym membership or eat into your overdraft by forking out on the latest exercise equipment. The best way to get fit and look better is to incorporate exercise into your daily routine - find out how with our tips for easy ways to be more active.
Time to wake up. Photo: Getty
Walk
The simplest way to get more exercise is one that costs nothing and you already know how to do. Walking more is one of the most reliable methods for improving your fitness and toning your legs. If you're keen to lose weight, bear in mind that a 68kg woman can burn around 1,000 extra calories a week by walking at a medium pace for an extra half an hour every day.
Go with the flow
If you have to go miles out of your way to visit the gym, it's more than likely you'll find excuses to avoid the trip. Make sure that exercise is a part of your life by cycling to meet up with a friend, walking instead of taking the bus or jogging home from work.
Tidy up
Make the best of all those good intentions for the New Year and de-clutter your home. Get stuck into a intensive tidy up and you can burn upwards of 200 calories and hour, depending on how vigorous you are with the duster.
Be upstanding
If you have a sedentary job, make sure you move around whenever you can. Standing up burns 35 more calories than remaining at your desk, so offer to make the tea, deliver documents or talk to colleagues in person rather than phoning or emailing them.
Go green
Offer to help someone with their garden or tackle your own for a fantastic full body workout. Burning up to 300 calories an hour, weeding will work your biceps and shoulders, while clearing garden rubbish and planting bulbs is excellent for your legs and glutes.
Hate the lift
Think of lifts as your enemy and take the stairs instead. Five minutes spent climbing stairs burns up to 150 calories and is brilliant for firming wobbly thighs.
Be playful
If you have kids, spend an hour in the park dashing about after them - you'll burn up to 400 calories. If you don't, grab a few friends and have a game of frisbee or rounders for similar benefits.
One day sit-ups
Use the one day rule to help get a trimmer belly without feeling exhausted. On the first day, do one sit-up, on the second, do two and so on, slowly building up to fifty. Keep an eye on your form and make sure you aim for quality rather than quantity.
Jump
Spend 15 minutes every day jumping in order to improve your cardiovascular fitness and improve the shape of your legs. You can skip rope or put on a high energy dance track and do jumping jacks instead. If you have bad knees, try using a mini-trampoline to avoid putting too much stress on your joints.