We are getting to that point in the new year when fitness resolutions are falling to the side. So take a deep breath and take the plunge for a 2016 challenge that you will certainly be able to brag about.

Register for The Irish Times 12-week Get Swimming training programme, in association with Swim Ireland, and learn to swim a mile.

We know it works (we have proof from last year!) and we have challenged four Irish Times journalists to swim as you swim and document it length for length.

Malachy Clerkin, Rachel Collins, Laurence Mackin and Orna Mulcahy have taken the plunge to GetSwimming. Their ultimate aim? To increase their skills and confidence to tackle the Swim Ireland Swim for a Mile challenge in April (read about their first week here).

They'll be writing about their experiences every week on irishtimes.com/getswimming and in The Irish Times Health+Family supplement.

And now it’s time for you to join in too! Register for our Get Swimming programme and you too can become a water baby and take the Swim Ireland challenge.

If you think you could never swim 10 lengths, never mind a mile, think again. Register and we will send you weekly emails with Swim Ireland training plans, video tutorials and motivation (with some hilarity) from our journalists.

Still doubtful? Read Conor Pope's account of how taking the challenge last year has changed his life. Not to mention his transformation from floundering foal to the man from Atlantis (okay, this is in his own words...).

Our Get Swimming course is now live and you can sign up today. As you train, we will inform you of where you can take the ultimate Swim Ireland Swim for a Mile 2016 challenge, a series of timed mile-long swims taking place nationwide from April 4th-8th nationwide.

Tell us how you are getting on Twitter #GetSwimming or email fitness@irishtimes.com.

Make a splash.

Leonie Corcoran, Health+Family editor

Register at irishtimes.com/getswimming Week One: Our swimmers take the plunge.