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.

You've been working hard to keep up with your gym routine all year long, but the holiday season can put even the most disciplined fitness guru to the test. The holidays call for round the clock errands, juggling a never-ending shopping schedule and organizing a grand family meal. The hustle and bustle of the season can leave you spent and less likely to stick with that early a.m. treadmill circuit. Still, there are a few ways to keep up with your healthy intentions. Here are some tips to stay motivated and get buff through this high-stress season:

1. Get serious about yoga. Yoga is a great workout no matter what your fitness level is, and yoga has the added benefit of relieving stress. Inhale and exhale your way to peace and tranquility in a comfy pair of yoga pants, which will keep you cool and calm when anxiety levels run high. Schedule yourself at least 1-2 sessions per week and greet the sunrise whenever possible.

2. Hit the slopes! If you're blessed with piles of snow over the holiday season, get out and have some fun in the great outdoors with some skiing or snowboarding. You'll be working that upper and lower body to the max as you take in that crisp winter air. No snow to be found? Make your way to the nearest indoor ski center for a pseudo-ski that will burn off plenty of calories.

3. Adopt a walking mantra. Walking at a moderate pace can increase your heart rate and give you a brief mini-workout without the fuss. You just need to sustain a moderate speed for 15-20 minutes to make the most of this fitness routine. Squeeze in a walking session between errands or make a point of walking more often than driving as you go about your busy day. Just strap on those walking shoes and hit the road!

Whether you decide to burn off mega-calories on the ski slopes or stretch away stress and tension with yoga, keep up with your fitness resolutions this season and ward off those pesky holiday pounds. Your fitness routine might also allow for a second helping of pumpkin pie without the guilt!