Take the easy road to sticking your New Year’s resolution by investing in some home exercise equipment and changing your approach to getting fit!

You may be in denial, still clinging in vain to the last vestiges of the annual over-indulgence festival. But you promised yourself you’d get on the wagon in January and now it’s time make good.

But how? Pulling back from Christmas and holiday excessiveness and establishing healthy habits can seem like an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be.

Firstly, adjust your attitude to exercise. Thinking of working out as a chore, or penance for too much pudding and slovenliness will only set you up for failure. Similarly, if you think exercise is boring, too time consuming, or an obligation you’d just rather not live up to you’re unlikely to stick to any routine for an extended period.

Instead, try thinking of exercise in less negative terms:

· Time for yourself away from the kids

· A way to rid your body and mind of anger and frustration after a bad day

· A chance to do something good for yourself that offers long-term gain for a short burst of effort

· A way to improve your mood, your quality of life and your relationships

So now that you’ve made a commitment, how do you go about it? If you’re not a gym junkie there are great ways of working out at home, either indoors or outdoors. Home exercise gear now includes everything from yoga and Pilates equipment, to free weights, and cardio machines.

Here are some popular options for working out while staying in:

The Ab Circle Pro

We all love fitness machines to help us fight the flab! In spite of any number of reality stars endorsing the product, there’s a reason the Ab Circle Pro remains an infomercial stalwart. Because, if you use it as it was intended, it works. It also comes with a workout DVD and a nutritional guide to get you started. What you do need to be aware of however is that while the Ab Circle Pro’s big promise is a flat stomach – the only way you will really achieve this is to burn off the fat around your mid-section through diet, and exercise. That said, this is a cardio workout and it will help you tone up and lose weight – just don’t depend on it – or any other machine as a miracle cure!

Zumba

Much like the deep -fried potato chip, Zumba began life as an accident when Columbian fitness instructor Beto Perez forgot his usual music for an aerobics class and improvised with Latin music CD he had in his car. Now, gym timetables are full of Zumba classes but with the Zumba Fitness Bundle, you can work out where when you please. It includes a workout DVD and maraca-like toning sticks and is a fun way to drop some weight, tone your abs, butt and thighs, and feel more energised – without walking out your front door!

Home gym

It may look like something out of a torture chamber but a home weights station really is a one-stop shop to toning up. Cardio is what you need to burn fat so don’t expect to start pumping iron and suddenly drop a size. But you will dramatically change your body shape with weights. Put the two together and you’ll be saying goodbye to your fat pants before you know it!

So take heart, and take note: There is no exercise equipment in the universe that will allow you to lose weight while subsisting on a diet of drive-thru fatty foods and late night sugar binges. Exercise equipment gives you the tools to get back into your thin clothes – putting down the food and breaking a sweat – that’s up to you!

Well here I am, nearing the end of my five-day Schkinny Maninny juice cleanse and I can safely say I have had my fill of juice for the forseeable future.

Yes, I am well and truly ready to embrace solid food again and have already been thinking about what I’m going to eat tomorrow. That being said, my body is craving fresh, healthy foods, so hopefully I’ll be able to maintain the good work I’ve done over the past five days.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. I’ve definitely lost some fluid bloat, I feel very energetic and my skin also feels soft and smooth. Next time I might be more inclined to go for the three-day cleanse (it’s available in one-, three-, and five-day varieties.

On that note, you can order the delivery service in Sydney and Melbourne (as of this coming Monday). If you’re in other locations you can order the DIY kit, as pictured here, so you can do the cleanse yourself whenever you feel like it. For $89.95 you get all the recipes, a mini esky, six recyclable bottles for your juices, a bottle of Dr Wheatgrass Super Shots, a loofah mit, a pack of detox teas, a servce of psyllium husk, a pack of bath soak and a set of buddy cards to provide inspiration for your cleanse, day by day. You will however need a juicer if you’re planning to do it at home.

By Caroline Warnes

Okay well I’m now officially 1.5 days away from the end of the cleanse. Saturday morning I’ll be able to get up and eat whatever solid food I like.

The funny thing is, I’m not really hanging out to eat solid food. Not as much as I thought I would be by now. I guess the worst time is when you’re home at night when you would be eating dinner, but even then it’s nothing too alarming.

I powered through yesterday with a lot of energy and made it through to about 7.30pm, when I passed out cold (asleep, not unconscious) on the couch at home with no warning. Apparently random bouts of fatigue are common when you’re doing a juice cleanse.

I’m definitely noticing that my clothes fit better today, moreso than yesterday. My skin feels softer and I actually think I may be in a good mood, which is the biggest shock of all to those around me. In fact the word “chipper” comes to mind.

For today’s photo I thought I’d give you a glimpse of what I’ll be having once I get home tonight. On the left is some sort of cauliflower soup concoction, which you can heat up gently (not to boiling as this can destroy some of the goodness). On the right is a drink to have two hours before bedtime to promote a good night’s sleep. It’s made of almond milk and some other nuts and seeds and is actually quite delicious.

Tomorrow is the last day of the cleanse, and it’s also Friday. Now if there’s one thing that has been a certainty in my adult life, it’s that I’ll have a glass of wine or two on a Friday. Will be interesting to see if I can work through it. Surprisingly I’ve lost the taste for wine or any sort of alcohol at the moment.

By Caroline Warnes

Hey guess what? I’m still alive on day three of the Schkinny Maninny juice cleanse, and not only am I not dead, I actually feel rather good.

For today’s photo I thought I’d throw in a picture of my favourite “juice” of all, the lunchtime lentil soup. It’s quite delicious and aromatic and is something I would eat anyway, cleanse or no cleanse. The lentils make you feel like you’re having something a little more solid.

Plus, take note of the size of the bottles. You get six of these babies each day. No way will you be going hungry.

In terms of how I feel… I’ve had my moments of feeling a little headachey and fatigued. Last night was one example. However I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time and when I woke up this morning I felt AMAZING… usually I have to force myself out of bed for the gym, but this morning you couldn’t have kept me away. Another bonus I have to comment on is that my eyesight seems clearer. I have pretty bad vision for anything further than a couple of metres away, but today I’m noticing less fuzziness, even without my glasses.

I also feel less bloated, meaning my clothes feel less snug. I’m guessing that’s a side effect of cutting out fluid-retaining nasties such as salt and my good friend alcohol.

I can’t wait to see what “day four” has in store for me.

By Caroline Warnes

Well hello there from day two of the Schkinny Maninny juice cleanse.

Yes I’m still going strong - in fact, yesterday was quite easy. I’ve developed a distant niggling headache today, which I’ve taken as a sign that my toxins are fleeing the building. It’s nothing too dramatic though.

I’m enjoying all the juices and soups (today’s picture is “Schkinny Pine Grapple”, a concoction of pineapple, carrot, celery, ginger and apple) and am definitely not hungry. These are big juices people and you’re also encouraged to drink a lot of water.

I even managed to do a pretty intense spin class at the gym this morning without falling off the bike.

This afternoon’s Melbourne Cup festivities are going to be a challenge. In fact, by my reckoning this will be my first Melbourne Cup day as an adult without at least one champagne under my belt. I’ll just need to focus on how good I’ll feel at the end of the week (or otherwise slip a shot of vodka into my afternoon tea juice. Nah, just kidding).

More tomorrow.

By Caroline Warnes

I usually get around to wanting to clean up my act in the health and fitness department some time in January, but this year I’ve managed to bottom out a good two months early.

Sluggishness, bloating, weight gain, dull skin, niggling colds and flus: these are all typical warning signs that I’m eating the wrong foods, drinking too much and generally treating my body as a rubbish dump rather than a temple.

So this week I’m doing the Schkinny Maninny juice detox in the hopes of kicking myself into taking better care of myself.

I’m only half a day into it so may not be in the best position to judge, but so far it’s been fairly cruisy (check back with me this time tomorrow and it might be a different story).

The day’s juices were delivered in an esky to the office bright and early this morning, and while this green concoction may look somewhat startling, it actually tasted pretty good. I was expecting something like pureed lettuce, but the overwhelming flavour was more banana-ish.

I’ve also been given a small container of seeds to snack on if I need something to chew, plus some fasting tea and other goodies which I haven’t had a chance to investigate yet, including a loofah mitt and bath salts.

No ill effects as yet (apparently headaches and other symptoms are common as your body sheds the toxins), but will report back with more tomorrow.

By Caroline Warnes

Many people may shudder at the thought of paying close to $90 for a singlet to wear to the gym, and if you are one of those people, look away now.

For the thing you must understand about Brasilfit workout gear is that this stuff is by no means cheap, however it is of exceptionally high quality and looks fantastic on.

I myself sometimes see girls wearing Brasilfit gear at the gym and think to myself “she looks great in that”, then proceed to feel like a complete frump in my generic-brand leggings that cost me $10.

All Brasilfit garments are made of high-quality materials (so you’ll find they last forever). The materials used are designed to draw moisture and regulate body temperature so you’ll have a more comfortable workout (and minimise the risk of you looking like a sweat-covered mess after your early-morning class).

The Summer 09/10 range is available to buy online at the Brasilfit site now, and you can also shop for basics, which are slightly cheaper than the seasonal collections.

Brasilfit also has two stores in Sydney and distributors around Australia - store locations are available at the website.

By Caroline Warnes

Strap yourself in and get ready for the next ride into Wrongtown, because Vibram Five Fingers are here.

According to the Vibram Five Fingers website, these little miracle workers are the best things for your feet since sliced bread. Apparently they stimulate the muscles in your feet and lower legs to improve your balance and agility. I don’t care how comfortable they are, they’re still offensively fug and belong in the same pile as crocs and birkenstocks.

Unless you are some sort of elite athlete, I doubt this footwear is really necessary. And the site even recommends wearing them for “play and fun”. Somehow I don’t think you’d be getting asked out for much “play and fun” if you insist on turning up in your Aquaman footwear all the time.

The site also reckons that Vibram Five Fingers are the “alternative to going barefoot”. Hey, I have an even better alternative to going barefoot: they’re called shoes, and they’re available in most retail stores and charity clothing bins near you!

By Caroline Warnes

I was at the gym one evening last week when I noticed something that alarmed me: a couple of girls sporting faces full of make up.

Now I hate to judge other people (actually that’s a lie, I love it and do it all the time), but this strikes me as particularly odd.

I usually frequent the gym in the morning and you rarely see this at 6am because let’s face it, most people would consider themselves to be doing well merely to be awake at this time, let alone perfectly made up.

But in the evening gym bunnies apparently don’t hold back, with many of them looking like they were recently hit in the face by Homer Simpson’s make up gun on the Christina Aguilera setting.

The pores on my face were feeling blocked just looking at them. The combination of sweat and make up cannot be a good thing for the skin on your face. In fact, I would go out of my way to REMOVE my make up before hitting the gym. If only for the health of your skin. (You can get a decent Neutrogena cleanser for $2 from Chemist Warehouse at the moment.)

Am I the only one who doesn’t go to the gym to be in a fashion parade? Or to get scouted for the cover of Italian Vogue? Make up at the gym is just pure tomfoolery.

Photo from Afrobella

By Caroline Warnes

If you’re one of those sporty types or have made a resolution to get fit for the New Year, head into your nearest Target to check out Spalding’s gear.

The range of workout equipment is one of the more affordable around and is pretty comprehensive.

There is a range of hand weights, which is great for performing a range of exercises as well. If you’re into boxing, there are punching pads (RRP $24.99) and gloves ($29.99).

To hit the major muscle groups in your glutes (that’s your butt, by the way) and quads (thighs), which is essential for fitness and weight loss (how much of a gym rat do I sound like), try the Spalding stepper, RRP $49.99 (even better if you combine the stepper with the hand weights).

Spalding is available at Target - call 1300 130 000 for stock enquiries.

By Caroline Warnes