Get active and fit in Staffordshire

It is June, six months into 2007 and most of us would have barely thought about our new year resolutions since January 2nd.

After all, breaking them, or more likely, not starting them, is about as traditional as the resolutions themselves but a far easier ritual to keep.

Have no fear though – as the old adage goes, never say never, as an active break in England could get you feeling healthy and fit again.

The activity-filled county of Staffordshire has everything from places for gentle exercise to adrenaline-fuelled adventures for everyone.

If you want to start off easy then you should head straight to the countryside and enjoy the healthy and fresh summer air in the stunning surroundings of Staffordshire's landscapes.

Perfect for clearing the lungs and escaping the hustle and bustle of crowded town centres, it is a great way to have a quick energy boost while enjoying some time-out in the outdoors.

Extending from the forests and heaths of Cannock Chase in the south to the stunning remoteness of the Staffordshire Peak district in the north and across the pastures of Lichfield to the east to the heartland of England's canal heritage in the west, Staffordshire offers the perfect reason to get your walking boots on and embrace the British outdoors.
Of course, the British weather can never be guaranteed this summer and so if it is raining outdoors then you might as well get wet inside.
Stoke-on-Trent's Waterworld is the one of the UK's best aqua parks, and has its own indoor water roller coaster.
If you are a little more of an adrenaline junkie then Staffordshire's Snow Dome in Tamworth serves up a healthy slice of winter sports action and is a great way to cool off. You can enjoy a spot of downhill skiing or snowboarding and you can even cross-country ski.

Staffordshire is home to two of the country's best loved theme parks, allowing you to burn off a few calories cleverly disguised as pure, unadulterated fun. At Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Theme Park you will find adrenaline pumping, heart pulsing rides including the Spinball Whizzer, a spinning rollercoaster at Alton Towers and the Pandemonium at Drayton Manor, which throws riders 360 degrees through the air on rotating platforms at a force of 3.8 Gs – a guaranteed white knuckle ride that will get the heart going as much as any session as the gym could ever do.

For more information about these and other attractions, events and activities in Staffordshire see www.enjoystaffordshire.com