Winter brings with it all sorts of things – cold weather, warm fires, and getting stuck so deep in the couch you couldn't be bothered to get up off the couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But there are ways to have your cake and eat it too.

Here's how to have (most) of your cake – and get fit too, with a few easy trade-offs.

Portion control

Instead of ditching the chocolate altogether, why not try downsizing? Trade your jumbo bar in for a regular size bar – you'll get all the taste and half the calories!

Fun ways to get fit

If pounding the pavement for hours is your idea of hell, try some fun ways to 'cheat' physical activity into your day. Organise a weekly soccer game in the park with friends, try a dance class or take up something you've always wanted to try out, like karate – you'll still be burning calories, but it won't feel half as grueling as running the treadmill.

Easy exercise plan

Take the hard work out of scheduling an exercise plan and learn how to get fit the incidental way. Incidental exercise is exercise that can occur naturally and is not necessarily planned – that includes stuff like walking to the bus and pushing the trolley to the far end of the car park. So why not try getting off the bus one stop earlier, parking your car further away from the supermarket or using the stairs at work instead of the lift? It's the perfect way to get fit, without even trying.

Sweet swaps

Swap your nightly dessert for an equally sweet but way less caloric treat. Try a diet dessert (there's a huge range to choose from in supermarkets) or make a drool-worthy fruit salad and top with a decadent scoop of velvety low fat yoghurt. Your hips will thank you for it.

Originally written by Leanne, this article appeared on BeautyHeaven.