2007 was a great year for healthy living. As nations banded together to fight the obesity epidemic, healthy habits were adopted by many people. As a bit of a fitness nut, I was happy to see so many people taking up activities, sports and hobbies that got them off the couch and on the road to health. I've always been active but even I got my butt (more) in gear and I feel better than ever. I'm excited for 2008 and looking forward to getting more in shape than ever. You too?

The American College of Sport Medicine recently came up with a list of the top fitness trends of 2007--Here are their picks for what made the most fitness headlines this year:

1. Children and Obesity. For the first time in centuries, we're seeing life expectancy decrease, and it's down to obesity. And no longer are hypertension and heart attacks a problem specific to seniors--children are prone to such horrors too because they're overweight and yet undernourished. In decades past, no one had to tell kids to get moving--without TV and video games, running around the neghbourhood was exercise enough. But now there's a real push to get kids moving, through kids' fitness programs, DVDs, and even video games designed with healthy habits in mind.
   
2. Fitness programs for older adults. People are living longer than ever and while in past generations, age slowed one down, this is no longer the case--seniors are fitter than ever and keeping up workout routines well into the golden years to help ward off disease and keep them feeling their best. Exercises are available no matter what level of mobility you're at, and keeping active will make those golden years live up to their name.
   
3. Educated and Accredited fitness professionals. With everyone getting active these days, the demand for trained fitness professionals is on the rise. Therefore, the number of programs that can give you the know-how and experience to teach others about fitness are on the rise.
   
4. Functional fitness. Daily life comes with many physical demands, and functional fitness gives us the tools to cope with the everyday with ease. Functional fitness programs help us improve our overall strength, balance, stability and endurance.
5. Core training. Core strength is more than just six-pack abs--having a strong core improves your balance, endurance and overall strength. Many programs that emphasize the core are available, including pilates and exercises using a BOSU ball.
   
6. Strength training. In past years, it seemed like the freeweights section of the gym was reserved for the body builder-types. That's not the case anymore--people everywhere, of all levels of fitness, are realizing the importance of strength training, not only for building muscles but for weight loss and toning as well.
   
7. Personal training. Personal trainers are more accessible now, and many people are taking advantage of this by taking the advice of a trained professional, rather than trying to go at it alone.
   
8. Mind/body exercises. More than ever, people are realizing the connection between the mind and the body, through exercises like yoga and Tai Chi.
   
9. Exercise for weight loss. People today are larger than ever, and more than ever, they're trying to turn their life around with more than just healthy eating, but a healthy workout routine too.
   
10. Outcome measurements. People want to see results from their workout routines--they want to see pounds melt away and the risk of diseases decrease, so more and more, measurements are being developed to gage how exercises has impacted your life.