Okay, so there isn't an easy way to exercise, however you do it, you are going to sweat, feel a bit of burn in those muscles and probably go a really attractive shade of bright red. This bit of the website is going to try and come up with some helpful ideas, suggestions and thoughts on getting fitter without spandex or a gym

So where do you start?

Well the Department of Health suggests that adults should be doing 30 minutes of exercise several times a week, but that exercise can be all sorts of things.....sex, dancing, swimming and walking...

Often if you're larger you get knee or ankle pain if you try rushing into running or doing weight-bearing exercise too fast, so start out easy, build a bit of extra walking into your daily routine, like walking round the corner to get the milk, or walking to the next bus stop down the road, if you walk to the one before your normal stop you might get a seat!!!

Dancing has to be one of the best forms of exercise so hitting the clubs providing you only drink alcohol in moderation and make sure you drink lots of fluids. If you can dance for 30 minutes then you're well on the way to hitting your exercise target.

Swimming is a great way to exercise, but for some of us it means getting over our own internal demons about taking off clothes in public. But if you can get past that and get into the water then it's a great way to exercise, the water helps take weight off your joints which reduces the chanCes of joint damage, and the other great advantage that no-one can see you sweating in the swimming pool, because everyone is wet.....

Exercise can be boring if you strap yourself to the treadmill and just look at a blank wall, so try and mix your routine up a bit so that you can vary it and keep it interesting. Make yourself a CD or Ipod/MP3 mix with the kind of music that makes you want to shake your thing to listen to while you're exercising - obviously not if you're swimming!

If you already have joint problems or any chronic diseases then having a chat with your practice nurse or your GP about how to execise safely.....

If you can afford it then there are often fitness instructors who will come and work with you at home, helping you exercise safely and build up your strength and stamina without stepping outside the front door. Doing weight lifts with bags of flour or tins of peas can be just as effective as using traditional weights. Or try working out with one of the celebrity exercise DVDs or videos, you can even download Ipod exercise mixes with instructor ad lib from ITunes!

But remember before you hit the treadmill or the weights, remember to do some stretching.....stretching is really important in preventing injuries and helping you feel less achey after exercise, stretch before and after bouts of exercise and it will help reduce your chances of injury.