It's another year to set some health and fitness goals. Overcome you fear of the gym and embrace a healthier menu for a diet revamp. Setting new fitness resolutions for the year - and sticking with them long enough to turn them into habits - may be all you need to jumpstart that weight loss plan or get buff well before summer rolls around. But how do you kick things off on the right track? Try a brand new sport or activity so you're not bored with the usual gym routine right off the bat.

It's much easier to burn calories while undertaking a surfing adventure or practicing your skills on a skateboard than it is to push yourself to brink of boredom on the treadmill. Get going on a fun fitness plan that will keep you motivated for the months ahead.

Pick up some basics from the surf shop and hit the beach for some surfing lessons that will give you a total body workout. Surfing is a great sport for learning the art of balance and will challenge those abs and thighs more than any machine at the gym. Need another reason to hit the sand? It's an easy way to get buff and tan well before summer season makes its way into the schedule.

If you prefer outdoor activities in snowy territory, hit the slopes for a snowboarding adventure. Snowboarding is the anti-beach bum's surfing workout, a chance to slip, slide and navigate down challenging slopes while making the most of the total body workout. Just layer up with a puffy vest or jacket, insulated pants and a cozy beanie and you'll be well on your way to snowboarding success.

Love biking? Put your balancing and maneuvering skills to the test with a BMX circuit. BMX biking continues to be a popular extreme sport that will challenge your lower body and turn you into a speed demon in no time. Just get yourself a pair of hi-tops and lightweight clothing to hit the area bike ramp for your training session. You may need a few lessons from a BMX pro before you take on competitive challenge, but practice sessions will help you fine tune your skills and get those legs in great shape.

While you may want to curl up and relax, it's important to keep your exercise program going during the winter months. After all, just think about how many more Holiday leftover sweets you can eat if you burn off the calories. In this week's blog, we'll discuss a few fun ways to burn calories this winter.

If you're a gamer, chances are you own a Nintendo Wii. If not, you really should consider it. Playing the Nintendo Wii will actually burn calories. Just 15 minutes of boxing on the Nintendo Wii burns 125 calories. This is the type of exercise you'll actually enjoy. If boxing isn't your cup of tea, play tennis. You can burn 92 calories every 15 minutes. Best of all, many of the Nintendo Wii games help you burn calories. For example, you'll burn hundreds of calories playing a couple hours worth of King of Fighters. Who said video games were bad for you? Get off the couch and burn some calories as you enjoy your favorite games.

Video games aren't for everyone. But most people do enjoy dancing. Dancing can be done inside your home as you watch TV or listen to music. You can even enjoy a romantic evening of slow dancing with your partner. Ten minutes of slow dancing will burn anywhere from 80 to 105 calories, depending on your weight. On the other hand, 10 minutes of fast-paced dancing will burn 94 to 124 calories. Dancing is not only a fun way to exercise on a cold winter's day, but it also tones your muscles leaving you with a fit body.

If you'd rather get outside and enjoy the weather, why not go skiing? Skiing is a wonderful way to burn calories. Depending on your weight, an hour's worth of downhill skiing will burn 340 to 510 calories. Best of all, it won't feel like exercise at all.

What are you waiting for? Enjoy an exercise that doesn't seem like exercise this winter.

Fitness gurus and personal trainers encourage us to try circuit training for that super-buff body we've been coveting all year, but when you're not disciplined enough to play boot camp master on every workout, chances are you just stick with your usual gym routine. Maybe this is the season to change things up and jump into some new activities? Heart-pumping winter sports including snowboarding, cross-country skiing and even snowshoeing. These are just a few ways to get out of that fitness rut and slip and slide into mega-calorie-burning mode.

If you're used to watching the ski bunnies from the comfort of your cabin all winter long, commit to at least one cross-country skiing session per week and enjoy a workout in the process. Skiing will get your metabolism revved up in no time, and it is the perfect excuse for taking in some fresh winter air. Just put on that puffy snow jacket or vest, grab some snow goggles and navigate down those slopes for a killer lower-body workout.

When you're anxious to try an extreme sport activity this season, head out on a snowboarding adventure with some boots and gloves that will keep you warm and protected against that harsh winter chill. Snowboarding will give you a chance to put your upper and lower body muscles to the ultimate test; you'll need to balance and maneuver that board across challenging terrain at a high speed, but this heart-pumping activity is sure to turn that calorie burn up a few notches.

No snow in your area this season? You can still change up your winter workout routine with a mountain biking trip or hiking excursion. Give that lower body the ultimate workout by adding weights to your ankles for resistance or loading up a backpack with extra gear. You can count on a super-calorie burning workout after just 20 to 30 minutes of constant movement.

Getting into a fitness rut is easy when your daily workout schedule consists of angst-ridden minutes of running on the treadmill and training for hours using the good old elliptical machine. Unfortunately, your body has probably adapted to the ho-hum routine, and you aren't burning off as many calories as you think during every workout. Jump into a fresh new workout routine to give your metabolism a boost and enjoy the great outdoors this winter.

As winter approaches and baby boomers plan winter vacations, consider being innovative and bypass the traditional luxury cruise. In fact, why not get edgy and adventurous and consider a *ski vacation*? If you are a beginner, it is never too late to learn and that includes seeing baby boomers on the bunny slopes.

Beginners should know that actual ski equipment such as skis and boots can be rented so the focus should be upon warm clothing. Decide what is most comfortable for you and your body type. The focus should be on ski gear such as après-ski attire, ski pants, jackets, one-piece suits and basics. Baby boomers can take liberties with their après-ski attire and get as fashionable as desired, just insure that the gear is comfortable and conducive for the cold weather.

The basic clothing needed for skiing requires warm outer pants, jackets or one-piece suits that are insulated. Baby boomers who are also beginning skiers may enjoy the comfort of one-piece suits. A popular choice among female skiers is the Salomon Psychic One Piece available in Aqua Tint X. The loose-fitting, pull-on-pant, one-piece suit has a zip front closure and high-neck powder collar for warmth. Other features include an attached hood with faux fur trim, multiple pockets, goggle wipe, belted waistband and more. One of the key features of this garment is the vent system designed for maximum breathability while providing warmth and optimum insulation. The one-piece waterproof suit retails for $604.

The Salomon Conspiracy Piece for men is available in purple and made from climaPRO Storm Plain Wave 3L, which is fully waterproof and offers maximum breathability. The loose-fitting waterproof garment is machine washable and offers a pull-on-pant styling with full zip front closure and storm flap, high-neck powder collar, inner bit with suspenders, multiple pockets, hood attachment, goggle wipe and premiere ventilation system and retails for $604.

Where traditional cruise vacations may be the norm for baby boomers, live on the edge this year, ditch the cruise, get suited up, booted up and head for the bunny slopes.