Bored of the January diet already? Got a cupboard full of tempting chocolate left over from Christmas?

Eating healthily is hard when January is so depressing and that's why keeping fit is the key to staying happy. Keeping active reduces your heart attack risk, and can help you to

manage stress, anxiety and even depression. Some exercises help you be

better in your daily life – aiding digestion, posture and sleep.

Hackney has a huge choice is activities to keep you fit. With 62 parks, gardens and open spaces totalling about 330

hectares, we are not short of places to go jogging. There are a number of training and jogging groups which meet weekly in Hackney if you need an incentive to go!

There are a number of gyms in Hackney, ranging from ladies only, newly build and old classics.

The Sunstone Gym in Stoke Newington is a ladies only gym, with a pool and full gym facilities as well as a sauna.

Hackney's latest gym is Fitness4Less at Cambridge Heath station on Hackney Road. The gym is offering a great joining deal of £14.99 a month. Although the gym has literally just opened (there are still buildings roaming around the reception) it looks like it could be a great deal.

Breanne Mason told us on Twitter that she has joined and there were a few teething problems. She said "Joined and went last night. There were issues with sound so spin was cut short and no changerooms (sic) yet but should get better."

Legends Gym in Hackney is a classic, located in Ridley Road in Dalston.

If you really hate going to the gym, London Fields Lido is a great alternative. The pool is heated at the moment so steam is rising off the pool as you swim. The hard part is getting out! Unfortunately the pool is only open during daylight hours, so if you go the best time is the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Flickr