If the task of getting into your jeans is becoming less of a breeze and more of a squeeze then maybe it's time to tame that burgeoning belly of yours.
Let's face it - if you carry on with the cream cakes and bottles of booze without burning any of it off, you'll end up having a body with more folds than a bulldog's face.
As we all know, there are a multitude of ways to get fit. A brisk walk after dinner in the evening is a good start, but let's be honest, it's hardly the way to work up a sweat, and without a little perspiration, you won't burn so many calories.
Gyms are the obvious option, but membership fees can be prohibitive, and being surrounded by fit and toned fitness fanatics can be intimidating at the best of times.
But fear not – there's a new way. It's gym related, but there are some distinct advantages over your traditional gym:
1 – they're free to use so kind to you wallet
2 – they're outdoors so you don't need to inhale the stale sweat of your fellow exercisers
3 – they're for the whole family, and fun to use
We're talking about outdoor gyms.
The Great Outdoor Gym Company have been working hard to create more than 100 gyms and fitness areas across the country. Besides your traditional gym equipment, many fitness areas also have tennis walls, basketball goals, and freestyle areas for things like aerobics and gymnastics.
OK, how about we slip on our sports shoes and take a light jog around the London area to see where these outdoor gyms are located.....
Cumberland Market, NW1 3QE
Cantelowes Gardens, NW1
Bruce Grove Youth & Community Centre, N17 6RA
Elthorne Park, N19 3NF
Whittington Park, N19
Kilburn Grange, NW6
Lismore Circus, NW5 4SE
Maygrove Peace Park, NW6 2ED
Polygon Road, NW1 1SR
Swiss Cottage, NW8
Langthorne Park, E11
Mile End Park North, E3
Warwall, Beckton, E6
Charlton Park, Greenwich, SE7
Flashpoint Centre, World's End Place, SW10 0HE
Haddon Hall Estate, Potier Street, SE1 4UX
Horn Park, Greenwich, SE21 9BT
Peckham Rye, SE22 0AT
Gurnell Grove, W13 0AY
Argyle Square, WC1H 8AL
North Acton Playing Fields, W3 0JF
Each of the above gyms offers slightly different facilities, so click on a link to find out exactly what they have.
All gyms have been carefully designed by experts in the field of fitness, and meet all European playground safety standards.
You could draw up your own fitness regime - take a jog to the park, do 20 minutes at the gym and then jog home again. Or take a friend along to keep each other motivated.
Either way, these outdoor gyms offer another way to burn some calories and get in shape, allowing you to hang on to your jeans for at least a few more months.
