Last week I wrote about why you might not want to join a gym as part of your New Year’s resolution.  Now I want to be clear about the fact that I’m not discouraging gym membership for those who will truly use it.  However, I’ve seen so many people sign up for year long memberships and quit after four to six weeks that I’d just like everyone to slow down a bit before they get stuck with an automatic debit to their credit card every month for a year.

So let’s say that you don’t belong to a gym, aren’t ready to commit to personal training or joining a gym but could use some help getting started with your New Year’s Resolution to get healthier.  Or maybe you’ve been going to group exercise classes and want to exercise at home because you are worried about the current flu epidemic.   Here are a few resources you might want to take a look at.

• The CDC has some very basic videos that are appropriate for people who currently are not exercising or haven’t exercised in some time.  They include cardio suggestions and basic weight lifting exercises that can be done at home.  You can find them at www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/videos/index.html
• Maybe you have been working out, need something a bit more intense and are confident you can do so in good form.  Check out http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/01/25-of-best-you-tube-workout-videos.html for 25 Utube workouts with everything from Jillian Michaels to Zumba.
• Finally, for 71 ways to lose fat and be healthier in general, check out http://blogs.menshealth.com/bellyoff-nutritionist/71-ways-to-lose-fat/2012/06/05/?cid=sf_twitter#ixzz2HfsZQVk9

Takeaway:  You can get a free 15 day trial to Yoga Vibes (www.yogavibes.com).  If your streets and paths aren’t a sheet of ice, you’d like to start running and have a smart phone, try C25K (short for couch to 5K).  I think I paid a few bucks to get the version that excludes ads, but it’s a good way to get ready for spring races.