Only 20 percent of people keep their New Year’s resolutions, according to a GNC poll. Most likely because these promises require things like willpower and contain a slightly self-flagellating message, e.g., Exercise NOW!!!! (insert the implied “you flabby loser” here). So how about resolving instead to be curious, adventurous, and open to what you can learn about your body and your world by moving in new ways? Here are some things you may want to try this year in a spirit of playfulness, discovery and self-love.

1) Go for a winter hike. Once you get past that “It’s sooo cold” phase, it’s invigorating and inspiring to venture into the wilderness (urban or pastoral) for some fresh oxygen. The Appalachian Mountain Club is relatively inexpensive to join and has hikes (many of them free) scheduled throughout the U.S. all year long.

2) Dance under water. There’s now an MP3 player that lets you listen to music (or NPR) as you do those dutiful laps in the pool. Though some love the sloshing silence, I’m dying to try adding some Madonna to my swims.

3) Build a Snowcreature. If you’re somewhere that actually still gets the white fluffy stuff, grab a friend (child or otherwise) and get to building, sweating, and breathing.

4) Try a martial arts class. Look on Citysearch for a well-rated school near you, pick a beginners’ class and go. Maybe you’ll hate it, but maybe not. Either way, you’ll have done it.

5) Buy a cheesy exercise video. Go to the supermarket, order one from QVC or get one online. The funniest, corniest, most ridiculous one you can find––one rule: the cover or name must make you laugh. Then do it once a week for a month and see what happens.

6) Go dancing. You love to shake it, so how come it’s been so long? Pick up your local alt-weekly and find a club where you can groove to whatever does it for you––bhangra, hip-hop, swing. Grab a cutie or go alone and rock.

7) Kick-box. I know, you’re a serene lake of love. That’s why you want to body-slam the person who cuts you in a long line. Go punch and kick it out. Try it once.

8) Get naked and down-dog. Yoga classes without clothing are all the rage among certain circles, especially in NYC and San Francisco. Devotees say it’s non-sexual and freeing. You can also do it in your living room, shades drawn, to perk up your practice.

9) Become a Polar Bear. I wrote about it last month and actually did it over the weekend––I jumped into the frigid Atlantic on New Year’s Day. It was enlivening, invigorating, and calorie-slaying.

10) Insert your own idea in the comment box below and I’ll discuss it in a post next week. Anything that keeps the I-don’t-wanna, I’m-too-tired part of your brain off its axis. Go!

Photo: National Park Service