THE hot topic on everyone’s lips is surely new year resolutions and I for one have a few.

Personally I have gained more weight in the last year than ever before in my life.

I certainly don’t have a sedentary lifestyle. I cycle every day but unfortunately my commute to work is measly compared to other cyclists and my work/life balance in 2015 was so out of kilter, time for exercise was practically an unknown concept.

Last year was also the year I discovered a well-known pizza app which consequently got installed on every item of tech that I own.

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No exercise and too many pizzas has pushed the belt line but for 2016 I plan to change my cheese topped ways.

Motivation to visit a gym is high at this time of year, but as January ends and the rest of the year takes over, that gym membership takes a heavy toll on any wallet.

So, instead of fooling myself I will spend a good chunk of my life in a sweat box, I will strive to get out on my bike more.

Personally I have a lot of good ideas about getting fit but never put them into action I need some motivation and I know what will solve that – a bit of new kit.

It’s true the right kit can motivate you, it’s even got a term, “enclothed cognition”.

This term describes the systematic influence the right kit can have on your psychological outlook.

So as much as I think the whole Lycra uniform looks a little silly, something a bit more professional than my usual exercise get up of baggy shorts and an old T-shirt may help to get me up those hills. I am cheekily assuming this cognitive state extends to new bikes as well?

Now, anyone who has cycled with me will know I hate hills.

I am happy as Larry on flat terrain and have a lot of stamina so can keep up the pace for miles.

But as soon as the incline starts and I’m on that slope all my happy thoughts disappear and the evil mist comes down.

My poor aching thighs scream and I have never, and I mean never, wished to get better at climbing.

Instead I route my cycling to avoid any challenging hills and generally stay in my comfort zone.

But 2016 will be the year I give up moaning about the approaching hills and take them with gusto. The only way to get better at climbing, any coach will tell you, is to do it more often.

So if I look the part and promise to put in the hard work, the pounds should drop off.

Of course, I will delete the pizza app as well – I’m not an idiot.

But it will be replaced with a pasta app. If it’s alright for the Tour de France cyclists it’s certainly okay by me. That’s the beauty of cycling for fitness. It’s no good on an empty stomach. So bye-bye pizza, hello hills.