Have you been meaning to start jogging, walking or join the gym but havent got around to it? Maybe you have joined a gym in the past but just havent been able to keep it up? Whatever the reason, you have been struggling to stick at it.

There is no better time than now to start again, this year will be different and here are some great ways to get fit and tone up this year. And unlike going to the gym or running these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home and takes only a short time.

Ready to get fit? Here is a great workout technique that can help you burn up to five times the fat in half the time. This technique helps burn fat off your thighs, hips, bum and stomach areas and at the same time it will sculpt and tighten your body.

Firstly you want to do a combination of exercises that target your trouble spots. For example if your tummy is a problem area you could do some abdominal crunches. Then without resting move straight into an exercise for your hips or thighs. When that is done go back into another set of abdominal crunches.

The reason to do these exercises without resting is simple but is the key to burning fat. Whilst one body part is working hard your other body parts are resting which allows you to keep going, but as your not stopping your metabolism is still burning fat which saves time.

To make the most of this clever routine you can and most certainly should move through as many exercises as possible.

Feeling at all confused by all the techniques for giving you the perfect flat, toned tummy?

This guide contains the 3 ways in which you should exercise your tummy to get that perfect toned look.

These exercises are supposed to be done as 1 set every other day.

Firstly do 20 reps of the Toe Touch, follow by 20 repetitions of the Twisting Crunch, then 20 repetitions of the Reverse Curl. Once thats done rest for 30 seconds and repeat two more times.

Toe Touch - Lie on the floor with your arms and legs straight upwards. Slowly curl your torso up and forward, bringing your hands as close to your abs as possible. Whilst going up breath out all the time, as you release and sink back breathe in.

Twisting Crunch - Lie face up on the floor with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Once you are happy slowly bring your upper body up to your knees breathing out all the way (a bit like a sit up). Hold for 5 seconds and release, as you sink back down breathe in. If you wish to target one side of your abs as you lift turn in either direction. Always repeat on the other side.

Reverse Curl - Lie face up on the floor with your hands by your sides. Raise your bottom and lower back up as high as you can whilst keeping your upper back pressed against the floor hold for 5 seconds whilst breathing out, as you release breathe in.

Most women seem to ignore the upper body when working out, concentrating on the legs and abs. Working your upper body is essential to being healthy and looking great.

Here are some simple exercises that can help you tone your upper body, concentrating on biceps, triceps and upper back. These exercises are designed to be done with free weights. For a toned look, you should use light weights where repetitions are required.

Biceps. To exercise biceps with free weights simply stand upright with your arms straight down, legs slightly apart. Then bend your arms at the elbow bringing your hands up. Once they have reached the top or a 90 degree angle, hold for 3 seconds then release. If you are using light weights, 3 sets of 20 lifts would be ideal.

Triceps. This is generally speaking a problem area for women and is something that you want to keep in shape. To work your triceps simply lift your free weight above and behind the back of your head, lower it down towards your upper back, when you have gone down as far as you can lift it again and repeat.

Upper Back. An ideal way to exercise your upper back would be to hold 2 3-4kg weights. Whilst lying on your back lift the weights above your chest, inhale and squeeze your abs. Lower the weights back over your head. Hold this lowered position for 5 seconds then bring your arms back to their starting position. Do not arch your back as you do this. As you go on you will feel it pulling at your back, repeat this exercise 10-15 times.

There are loads of great bits of kit that can be used to speed up the process of getting fit in the comfort of your own home. For most of the above exercises a good set of light weight training weights (shown below) will certainly help out. Other machines like a lateral thigh trainer also help to give you an excellent aerobic workout.

Below are some bits of kit that are ideal for shedding pounds and toning up.