New Year, new you – that’s the motto. After you’ve stuffed yourself silly over Christmas and can’t face looking at another alcoholic beverage, the New Year provides the perfect backdrop to do something different by really challenging yourself to kick start 2015.
With that in mind, here are five of the toughest ways to start a New Year:

Take the Plunge in Dorchester Bay, Boston

It’s January. It’s cold. In fact, it’s really cold. Give your senses a shock by jumping into Dorchester Bay and going for a swim on New Year’s Day. Ever since 1904, the L Street Brownies celebrate the New Year by plunging into the icy waters and raising money for local charities. Now, around 1,000 people participate each year, and with a local Irish band playing it is fun for the whole family.

Why would you ever do it? It will wake you up like nothing else, kick start your system and hopefully spark a new hobby. Swimming is one of the best all-body work outs and it is a great way of keeping fit. If you’re looking to challenge yourself in 2015, taking up swimming could be it.

Become a Spartan in California

If you really want to push yourself to the limit, see if you’ve got what it takes to become a Spartan. On January 17, the Spartan Beast is a 20km obstacle race over, under, around and through a course filled with obstacles to climb and challenges to complete. Set just outside of Los Angeles, beautiful Vail Lake offers a picturesque backdrop as you battle the mountainous terrain.

Why would you ever do it? If you can leave your bravado behind and muster up the courage to complete this course, then you’ll be able to dominate anything 2015 throws at you. To be the best, you have to race with the best; you have to become a Spartan.

Cycle through the Valley of Death

The Death Valley Bike Open Challenge is the ultimate cycle ride.  Starting on February 1, Death Valley provides the setting for one of the most spectacular cycle challenges around, and at 382km it is one of the most demanding, too. This event finishes in Las Vegas, meaning you really get to celebrate your achievement in style.

Why would you ever do it? Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., and again, it is a great way to keep fit. Once you’ve got your wheels, the road is at your beck and call, and you’ll discover some spectacular scenery along the way.

Conquer Colorado’s Mountains

At Merrell, we do love a good hike, and that’s just one of the reasons we love Colorado. There are so many hiking opportunities it is hard to choose just one, but Maroon Bells boasts some striking countryside while proving to be extremely difficult. The 20km round-trip hike to the summit is fraught with loose rock fields, steep paths, and plenty of places to get lost, so be careful.

Why would you ever do it? Because hiking is great. Also, Colorado is one of the most beautiful areas in the U.S.,and it is outstanding for hiking. Once you’ve ticked this trail off your list, you can move onto a number of other peaks over 14,000 feet in the area such as Longs Peak.

Start Banuary

One of the toughest ways to start a new year is to give up alcohol for a month. Enter Banuary. It is defined as the period of abstinence from alcohol specifically in the first month of the year. That means not a single drop for 31 straight days, and it is a lot harder than you may think.

Why would you ever do it? It is a great way to rid yourself of all those toxins, lose a few pounds, save a few dollars, and, if you can give up alcohol on the first month of the year, imagine what you can achieve in the other 11.  Also, you can raise money for charity, doing something good in the process.