At this time of year most people resolve to give up everything from smoking and drinking to spending too much time in the office as well as faithfully promising to actually use their shiny new gym membership or finally learn a new skill.

But rather than fall at the first hurdle this year, why not give yourself a headstart and vow to stick to at least one or two health-related resolutions. You could be saying hello to a revitalised and invigorated new you in no time.

BECOME A SMOKE-FREE ZONE
Fags are out of fashion and the impetus for quitting has never been greater up to 90 per cent of bars are likely to be smoke-free within a few years.

With a 95 per cent success rate, QUITMasters, UK's hour-long hypnotherapy treatment, costs £295 or the cost of just two month's supply of cigarettes for a 20-a-day smoker and you can give up in a lunchtime rather than a lifetime.

To book an appointment, visit www.quitmastersuk.com,
email contact@quitmastersuk.com
or call 0800 298 5155.

Alternatively, visit www.givingupsmoking.co.uk and www.quit.org.uk or try the world's most popular self-help book, Alan Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking.Penguin Books, £8.99

JOIN A GYM
The days of sweaty medallion men pumping iron and scary muscle-bound gym instructors are long gone.

Modern gyms cater for all needs and there's a huge range of fitness classes to choose from, including Pilates, yoga, aerobics and T'ai Chi. Those lacking body confidence can even elect to visit a single-sex gym.

But before you rush out and spend a fortune on new gym kit, you have to be certain that you will stick at it for longer than the duration of the January sales.
For all of the support and information you'll need in 2006, visit www.myroadtohealth.co.uk, www.ideafit.com, and
www.health-club.net.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
All those health and nutrition experts are right you are what you eat.

Of course, with busy working lives and spiralling stress levels, optimal nutrition is a bit of a daydream for most of us but there are plenty of fabulous organic, healthy dishes that confirm that healthy' and mouth-watering' are not necessary mutually exclusive.

Check out www.food.gov.uk/healthiereating, www.nutrition.org.uk and www.organicfood.co.uk for some great advice about finally turning your body into that gorgeous, glowing temple.

GET YOUR LIFE BACK
Most people's work/life balance is seriously weighted towards the office so why not do something about it and claim some time back for yourself?

The immediate effects of leaving your desk on time if not even early sometimes is that you will be far less stressed out, you'll find it easier to relax and sleep, and you'll have more motivation to spend your spare time with your family and friends rather than asleep on the sofa.

To stop stressing and start living, read Laura Stack's Leave The Office Earlier Piatkus Books, £9.99, and Living The 80/20 Way: Work Less, Worry Less, Succeed More, Enjoy More, by Richard Koch Nicholas Brealey Publishing, £12.99.

EXERCISE AT HOME
If you're out of cash and confidence, getting fit in the comfort of your own surroundings is the perfect alternative to joining a gym.

Whether you're an old hand or a complete beginner you can buy DVDs and videos to help teach you all kinds of home workouts try Davina McCall's best-selling Power Of 3 workout 2entertain, DVD £17.99/VHS £12.99.

Failing that, even just a simple walk down to the shops is great exercise and it also gets you out and about in the fresh air. Visit www.ramblers.org.uk, www.whi.org.uk or www.go4awalk.com for more information.

LIVE THE GOOD LIFE
If you're going to make all that effort with your body, taking responsibility for the planet's health makes perfect sense.

From paper and glass recycling to growing your own fruit and vegtables or even riding your bike to work, there are lots of fun and inventive ways to do your bit for the environment and live The Good Life for real.

Try flicking through The Modern Pagan: A New Lifestyle for the 21st Century, by Brian Day C W Daniel Co Ltd, £14.99 for some great ideas about becoming the next Tom and Barbara Good.

BREAK THE BOOZE HABIT
The odd tipple isn't a problem, but cutting down on regular drinking can vastly improve your health without destroying your social life.

BUPA recommend going out later so you start drinking later, having at least two alcohol-free days a week, having non-alcoholic drinks between alcoholic ones, keeping a supply of non-alcoholic drinks at home, and setting yourself a limit of three to four units (men) or two to three (women) for any one occasion.

Alternatively, if your drinking patterns do become a problem contact Alcohol Concern at www.alcoholconcern.org.uk, or Alcoholics Anonymous at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.

DO A RUNNER
Finally, if you're short of time and money, running is a brilliant way to boost your flagging energy levels after Christmas.

With the huge rise in running clubs and events all over the UK, it is also an ideal sport to take up simply because it is accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

In addition, you don't need to shell out for lots of expensive equipment (just a good pair of shoes from £60 to £140).

You can run alone or with a club, you can run at your own pace and set your own goals. Plus, you get to be outdoors regularly and you can lose weight. So what are you waiting for?
To find a club near you visit www.runnersweb.co.uk or www.runnersworld.co.uk.