Numerous studies have long established the many benefits of regular exercise, such as building strength and losing weight. Working out also promises cardiovascular advantages, although the exact way in which exercise benefits the heart still needs to be explored and understood, especially on the cellular level.

Can exercise keep you young? Well, according to a fascinating UK study there's a molecular link between exercise and your cells being biologically younger, which in effect links exercise to healthier and slower aging. There's no doubt that keeping the weight off, focusing on functional fitness, and improving your health with cardio, can make you feel great at any age.

Grabbing a piece of toast as you rush out the door; a convenient bite to eat at your desk or in the car for lunch; snacking to avoid an afternoon lull; rustling up a quick dinner at night or flopping onto the sofa with a takeout. Does any of this sound familiar? It's easy to let time and daily work and chore demands ruin your set mealtimes but if you're on the go it's important to not let your diet go!

If you're so busy that food becomes either an afterthought or a fattening feast gorged in haste, then something has to give.

Want killer abs? Less excess baggage? Or to be able to run a marathon? There's nothing wrong with having really specific fitness goals, and in fact clarity can help illuminate the way forward and allow for an effective exercise strategy to be set in motion.

Depression is an affliction millions suffer from on a daily basis. Doing anything, let alone exercising, when you are feeling depressed is no easy task, especially when some days it might be hard to just get out of bed. However, many studies show that exercising can help combat depression and bring physical and psychological benefits.

If you are still exercising to the beat of Survivor's classic  Eye of the Tiger song then the chances are you can't get enough of the oldies, you love Rocky and are still wearing leg armers and a sweatband. Perhaps it is time to update your workout playlist.

Fitness and exercise is part of the everyday lifestyle of so many people. However, with so many different ideas on what works and what doesn't it can be confusing to know what are fitness truths and which are not. What is true is that there are many fitness myths that simply won't go away regardless of science proving them to not have any weight.

There's lots of advice out there on how to improve your fitness levels and how to really make the most of different training styles. However, what if you are an absolute beginner and need some solid tips on how to get off the starting blocks? If you want to set out on a fitness journey that's going to take you down the right track for the rest of the year, rather than be an uphill struggle, then you just need to follow some simple ideas.

While you might have made and broken resolutions in the past, let's face it, if you don't make them in the first place then you definitely are not going to be able to see them through. New Year resolutions are not about rolling out the same old ideas but taking the opportunity to set the tone for the year ahead, especially when it comes to your health, fitness and lifestyle.

It's that time of year when people start to look at what changes they want to make in the year ahead. So, what are your plans for 2014? You no doubt have some resolutions ready that relate to your health, diet and perhaps your lifestyle in general. It's positive to have a sense of a new chapter and New Year is a good time to really take stock.