He shoots, he goes into downward dog..yoga for footballers?

Ryan Giggs has recently be raving about his love of yoga and the massive effect it's had on his game - and has even said Wayne Rooney's been known to join him in the studio. It's not surprising that Giggsy's still at the top of his game - yoga makes you supple, strengthens your core (cutting your risk of injury) and on top of that keeps you calm (maybe Wayne needs a few more sessions!)

The pill may actually help you lose weight

It's a common belief that taking the pill causes weight gain. But a new study (ok, it was in monkeys, but it's a start) has just found that being on the contraceptive pill may actually help you to lose weight. This is because it may increase your metabolic rate. Having said this, the study was small, and the pill certainly should not be used as a weight-loss technique! Other ways which may be more effective in raising your metabolic rate are to eat small healthy snacks regularly, include some strength training in your workouts and to avoid crash dieting.

How are you getting on?

About now is probably when most people quit their new year resolutions - 'I'm going to give up drinking, give up sugar, give up eating' that kind of thing.

Instead of thinking about what you're going to give up, an easier way to make better habits is to think about what you're going to start. How about 'I'm going to start eating breakfast every day', 'I'm going to start going to a new exercise class once a week' 'I'm going to start walking to the station instead of driving'?

Write down your new goals, stick with it for a month and then buy yourself something to reward yourself (preferably not a bar of chocolate!)

Happy 2011!