It sometimes boggles my mind how many different weight-loss scams are out there. Turn on the TV at just about any hour, flip through almost any magazine, and listen to any radio station for more than ten minutes, and you're bound to hear a spokesperson making erroneous claims about some new "breakthrough" weight-loss product. I hate to the one to break it to you, but that product is nothing more than a bunch of B.S.

The popular website Consumer Reports listed their top 10 scams of 2007 not that long ago. Guess what topped that list at number one? That's right, weight-loss scams. In their end-of-the-year piece, the magazine highlights a company called Transdermal Products International, who marketed a patch that was supposed to make the wearer lose weight. The FTC said the company provided about two dozen domestic and foreign retailers with sample deceptive advertising and bogus substantiation materials, including purported expert endorsements and cooked-up clinical studies. Among the bogus claims, the FTC noted, was that sea kelp contained in the patch had been approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration.

You can read more about Consumer Report's Top Ten Scams of 2007 by clicking here. Once on the site, clicking on the Weight-Loss link will then bring up a listing of several known scams.

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With more people vowing to get healthier everyday, it's no wonder that new diet trends are popping up every day. NineMSN recently came up with a list of the trendiest diet trends of 2008:

• The Bead Diet. Each bead in your bracelet represents 100 calories, and you wear beads depending on how many calories you want to consume in a day. When you eat a hundred calories, you move a bead. Delta Goodrem and Kate Beckinsale are fans of this approach.
  
• Bench Pressing. This classic exercise is an oldie but a goodie.
  
• Pomegranate. The superfood is so super, it continues to gain popularity.
  
• Skinny Water. This low-cal (?!) water supposedly contains nutrients that will help you burn fat. Jennifer Aniston is known for chugging it.
  
• Marathons. They've been around for a while, but expect everyone and their dog to sign up for one.
  
• The Lunch Box Diet. Armed with a big lunch box, dieters fill it with healthy goodies and much out of it all day.
  
• Workout Shoes. Shoes specially designed to tone your legs are hip this year, even if they look a bit funny
  

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Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

What a year it's been for Super Foods. We've covered almost all of them, from salmon and turkey to watermelon and pineapple. Name a Super Food and you're likely to find a pretty comprehensive run-down of the item right here on That's Fit. Our archive of Super Food posts is quite overwhelming at this point so in the interest of a years-end review, here's a sampling of the foods we've found that can heal ills, prevent disease, and promote optimum health. And if this isn't enough, click here and you'll land at each and every You Are What You Eat post.

• Hide it or highlight it, broccoli kicked off the You Are What You Eat series in March 2007.

• Why should you eat Brussels sprouts? Find out in this April post.

• Pack some kidney beans in your pantry, or so says this May post.

• June brought us a super strawberry post. Read all about it.

• In July, blueberries were a hot item.

• With lunch comes energy -- well, in an ideal scenario, anyway. Check out this August post about lunchtime energy foods.

• Chocolate really is a health food. We told you all about it in September.

• In October, we let you know if an apple a day really keeps the doctor away.

• Nearly last on the Super Food list, yogurt showed up in November.

• Bringing up the rear in December were the Super Foods cinnamon, kiwi, pomegranate, and oats.

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2007 was a crazy year, and with the health of our world and its people starting to take a top priority throughout, it's no surprise that this was a year of much controversy. MSN Health recently did an article on the top trends of 2007.

What was hot this year:

• Sleep medication. Too many people suffer from insomnia, so the search for a cure was on.
  
• Tricking your kids into eating their veggies. Hey--whatever works!
  
• Going Green. And thank goodness for that -- we need to make major changes to save our earth.
  
• Medical Tourism. Travelling abroad for medical procedures is on the rise, both to avoid the high and the long waits in our home countries.
  
• Kids' Mental Health. The prevalence of autism, bipolar disorder and ADHD in kids has raised more than a few eyebrows.

What was not:

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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:

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I'm writing to both congratulate and brag a bit about the newly announced Heisman trophy winner, Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators. I'm a Gator. I've earned all of my degrees up through my Master's at the University of Florida and am very proud of this young man. The first sophomore ever honored with this award.

Being great at football is one thing, and boy is he great at football. But, Tebow is the kind of kid you want to chase down and give a big congratulatory bear hug to. He's of great moral value, strong in academics and more humble than he should be. When millionaire athletes seem to be making both reckless and criminal decisions on a daily basis, Tebow just keeps getting "gooder". "More gooder", as my friend Izzy would say.

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We're coming up to that time of year again, when 2007 goes out with a bang and gives way to a brand-spanking-new year, 2008. 2007 has been a good year in term of healthy living, but what will 2008 hold? Here are some trends we can expect to see in 2008:

• More trained fitness and nutrition professionals
• A continued battle against childhood and adult obesity
• An emphasis on strength and core training, with more people signing up for sessions with a personal trainer
• Fitness programs aimed at older adults
• A push towards functional fitness.
  

What do you think? Are you looking forward to getting healthy in '08?

(Via Fitsugar)

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

This weeks featured guest is Coach Billy Donovan, of the 2006 and 2007 National Champion Florida Gator basketball teams. I chose Coach D. not only because he's brought endless excitement and pride to my Alma Mater, the University of Florida, but because he epitomizes athleticism, perseverance, determination and success. Don't we all wish for that! Coach Donovan just oozes excellence.

He's one of the youngest yet most intense, and successful coaches in the history of NCAA basketball. A master of the court, Coach Donovan and his Florida Gators are still riding high from their second straight National Championship. His 2006 team was the underdog going into the championship game against UCLA, and shocked the nation with a dominating 73-57 win. 2007 was an entirely different story. Donovan's' Gators were picked as the number one team at the beginning of the season and completed it in the same way. With a commanding win 84-75 over Ohio State, the Gators made history as only the seventh team ever to win back to back titles.

Billy played guard at Providence College under the infamous Rick Patino, and went on to play one year for the New York Nicks as well. Although his success as an athlete was impressive, Billy Donovan was born to coach. He runs a first class program, with top notch recruiting, a unique ability to inspire teamwork, and a great attention to academics. I love the fact that he makes no excuses, and takes no excuses. A fine rule of thumb for anyone trying to become better at sports, fitness, or anything else in the world.

Fitz: What do you do to stay fit?

Coach Donovan: I try to run/walk and lift weights at least 5-6 times a week.

Fitz: Do you utilize the guidance of your UF athletic trainers for yourself?

Coach Donovan: Yes, very much.

Fitz: You've spent the last two years coaching NCAA Basketball National Champions. Have your championship years been more chaotic than the rest? How does it all affect your personal fitness level?

Coach Donovan: Because of the time demands, it can be very easy to fall out of a workout routine. But I try to do my best.

Fitz: Do you make time to exercise during the March Madness tournament?

Coach Donovan: Yes. I do try to make time each day.

Fitz: What's on your MP3 player?

Coach Donovan: Stones, U 2, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan

Fitz: What's your favorite healthy dish?

Coach Donovan: Yogurt for a snack and any type of fish for dinner.

Fitz: What's your favorite sinful indulgence?

Coach Donovan: Ice cream and cheesecake.

Fitz: Do you ever play ball with your teams?

Coach Donovan: No. My playing days are over!

Fitz: If you were to play or coach any other sport besides basketball, what would it be?

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Ahhhh. What a bummer. This is no celeb blog, of course. But after I tucked my kiddies into bed tonight, I was looking forward to sitting down and watching some sort of blow me away performance from what used to be the Princess of Pop. She was the 'big deal' opening act for the MTV Video Music Awards. Britney Spears was a big disappointment. She turned out to be the Princess of Plain tonight.

Obviously the girl is no Celine Dion. Never has been, never will be. But! I can admit to thinking she's been a bit entertaining (in a good way) in the past. Decent voice, great dancer, AMAZING physique. Curvy, strong, slim, but not too skinny.

Tonight.....her lip syncing was off, her dancing was dull, she looked bored and her body just didn't impress as it used to. She's got two beautiful little boys, and that certainly takes it's toll. I suppose I just expect more from this chic famous for her abs. I'd love to get my hands on her; put her through a bit of Fitzness training. Maybe before next year's VMAs she'll give me a call.

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Consumer Reports is famous for having reliable rankings and estimations of a products quality and value. So when I read that they had published findings on which diet was the best, and which diet book was the best, it definitely peaked my interest to know what they had to say. Here are their results:

The best diet: Volumetrics wins this category as the "best carefully researched diet plan." Based on the research of Penn State professor Barbara Rolls, PhD., it's biggest focus is eating foods with "low energy density," meaning low calories per serving -- things like fruits, salads, and soups.

The best diet book: The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene. It stresses exercise, gives recipes and has suggested eating schedules, plus gives personalized advice.

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I posted two blogs a while back, Hey Smokers! This is what your friends won't tell you! part 1 and part 2, and got a firestorm of comments. Lots of defenders of smoking, and of course the ones who despise it. One interesting thing I've pulled out of it, is that people are comparing it to drunk driving. To me, the topics are two different beasts with some similarities. I 'm one of the despisers of smoking, and now even more than ever before, I am a despiser of drunk driving.

Two weeks ago, Lieutenant Corey Dahlem, our family friend and hero from the Gainesville Police Department in Florida was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Corey was on a street that was closed for the University of Florida National Basketball Championship celebration. The festivities were winding down, and Corey was on the road to make sure none of the student and local partiers were. A drunk male, age 20, drove through the police barricades and struck Corey. Two motorcycle officers had to jump from their bikes to avoid being struck as well. A few blocks away, the driver was stopped and had no idea why he was stopped. He later blew a 2.4 on his breathalyzer test. Almost three times that of Florida legal limit. (Corey, far right, was photoraphed the night he was struck, congratulating UF students on their teams victory).

Corey was a humble man, hard worker, and spectacular father, friend and husband. If he and the other officers were not on that road at that time, dozens of civilians would have been killed before the drunk stopped. Hero is an understatement. Two thousand people mourned his loss and celebrated his life at his funeral. A lesson on parenting was preached by the stories of how Corey ate lunch at school with his kids several times a week when they were little. At 18 and 21, he was still cooking them meals and driving his daughter to college.

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Are you a trendsetter or a trend-follower? Or maybe you're the type that goes opposite of the trend, just on principle. Either way, it's good to know what the trends are, or might be. Forbes.com has compiled a list, in their handy "in pictures" format (well I think it's fun, anyway) with expert's opinions on what the biggest health and fitness trends will be in 2007.

Most of them are things I might have guessed, like organic products continuing to be popular and restaurants offering more low-fat items on their menus. But some others were interesting, like a growing number of employers offering health coaches as a benefit to employees. Really? I've never heard of that kind of benefit before, but I know I need it!

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