An adventure at any age, orienteering gets you back to nature, be it in the local woods or an urban park, and gives a mental and physical boost. British Orienteering’s website (www.britishorienteering.org.uk ) has a comprehensive guide to the sport, details of courses and orienteering clubs across the UK.

A thrifty way to a healthy diet is to sprout your own seeds. Home-grown sprouts, such as alfalfa, have more vitamins than shop-bought versions. To sprout seeds, soak, drain and rinse at regular intervals until they germinate, using a jar, cotton wool and water. Buy a starter kit at www.garden4less.co.uk .

That feeling of satisfaction when the housework is finished is not just the sense of a job well done – you’re getting an endorphin release from the exercise. The physical exertion also reduces stress; experts have discovered that the risk of mental health problems, particularly depression, is reduced by a fifth in people who do 20 minutes of housework a week.

Help nature along by stimulating your body to get rid of toxins. Body brushing improves circulation, speeds up lymphatic drainage and gives you a glow. Every morning in the shower use a natural body brush or sisal mitt to lightly brush upwards from the ankles towards the centre of the body in firm, sweeping movements (for no more than five minutes).

Volunteer for the National Trust and help to conserve the environment and the UK’s heritage. Learn new skills while working at the heart of amazing buildings and gardens. Search for vacancies at www.nationaltrust.org.uk .

Mountain-biking is the perfect way to combine exercise with relaxing scenery. Dales Mountain Biking (www.dalesmountainbiking.co.uk ) runs energising courses in the Yorkshire Dales.

Re-learn how to fool about and you may just feel better about January. Theatre company Nose to Nose runs courses from therapeutic "laughter workshops" to sessions that combine drama and exercise (020 8123 4652, www.nosetonose.info ).

The Ramblers’ Association has a number of organised walks in urban areas and the countryside. From the Thames Path in London to the remote wilderness of the Scottish highlands, there is something for everyone. See www.ramblers.org.uk .

One of the most effective ways to tighten the tummy muscles and help get rid of excess flab is to take inspiration from the Middle East and belly-dance. Jacqueline Chapman is acclaimed as Britain’s leading dancer, choreographer and teacher and offers classes for all age-groups and fitness levels (020 8300 7616, www.bellydancer.org.uk ).

Crouch down among the hedgerows or search along the seashore with your family and forage for wild food. Bittercress, sea buckthorn and cape gooseberries are there for the taking. Various courses are listed at www.foodloversbritain.com .

NEAT stands for "non-exercise activity thermogenesis", which essentially means "simple movement" – a term developed by researchers who found that even the simplest spontaneous activity helps prevent weight gain. Inspired? Here are some ideas: Park your car further away from your destination; sit on an exercise ball and roll around while you’re working at the computer; stand on your commute; make two trips when unpacking your shopping and hide the remote control, so you have to get up.

New Yorkers are turning to it in droves to keep wrinkles at bay, but facial yoga’s converts claim these exercises, such as the "smiling fish face" or "surprise me pose", boosts circulation and releases tension in the face, head and neck. It’s wacky, but worth a try.

Yoga Studio (01296 615 880, www.yogastudio.co.uk ).

A heady hybrid of surfing, windsurfing, paragliding and kite flying, this sport is not for the timid – but an absolute riot if you’re not. X-Isle, a leading watersports companies runs one-day courses (01983 761678, www.x-is.co.uk ).

Explore the relationship between food and health with a holistic cooking course. The Holistic Cooking School in Totnes, Devon, teaches how to cook healthy meals and change your diet habits. See www.holistic-cooking.co.uk (01803 762598).

Who says shopping isn’t a sport? If you can’t stand exercising alone, or looking at the same view from the gym treadmill, mall-walking may be what you’re looking for. Walkers meet once a week for a brisk walk around a mall – it’s a great way to get in some sociable aerobic activity. Clubs are springing up in major shopping centres including Bluewater in Kent and The White Rose in Leeds. Inquire at your shopping centre or start your own club.

The successful New You Boot Camp is now available as a one-day course across the UK. The courses, run by military fitness experts, are designed to give you an energy boost and teach workout skills in an intensive – but fun – six-hour session. Activities include log runs, skipping, leopard crawling and obstacle courses (0871 223 0066, www.newyoubootcamp.co.uk ).

Flat green bowling is an ideal sport to pick up in the new year: it is gentle exercise, highly sociable and its health benefits include building stamina, toning muscle and burning fat. Contact Bowls England for details of clubs and competitions (01903 820222, www.bowlsengland.com ).

Singing is an aerobic activity: it stimulates circulation and exercises major muscle groups, including the abs. Regular singing, done correctly, can improve mental alertness and posture, clear sinuses and even help the immune system. Singing with others has been proven to reduce stress levels and create a feeling of wellbeing through the release of endorphins and a sense of joint achievement.

The party doesn’t have to end on New Year’s Day. Latin-inspired ‘Zumba fitness’ is a high-impact aerobic workout designed to complement shaking salsa, samba, mambo and merengue music. To find a class near you visit www.zumba-uk.co.uk (01293 455 678).

For vegetable inspiration, sign up to www.eattheseasons.co.uk and receive a weekly email of tips and seasonal recipes. Or try www.thekitchenrevolution.co.uk for weekly recipes and advice on making the most of your fridge, freezer and store cupboard.

Giving a familiar room a new layout provides an instant makeover that gives a much-needed lift in winter – but the benefits don’t end there. With all the lifting, stretching, pushing and pulling, you could burn between 300-400 calories per room (in one hour).

A giggle-inducing exercise that the whole family can do together. Hula-hooping, the hip-swinging playground activity, can burn calories, tone your midriff, and aid mobility in the joints. The key ingredient is a "weighted" hoop. Amazon has a 3G fitness hula hoop (1.8lb) for £16.99 (www.amazon.co.uk ).

Nordic walking, a fitness technique that utilises simple poles, is an effective exercise that can be done anywhere. Using poles makes the upper body muscles work harder. However, the technique that ensures the whole body works efficiently must be learned.