If you want to make 2012 a great year for your health and fitness here are 3 trends that are actually worth following:

Train for your specific goals. If you want to run a marathon, then train for a marathon. If you want to lose fat and achieve a sleek, muscular body, don’t train for a marathon!!! Women especially are famous for doing endless cardio sessions and then becoming frustrated when all their hard work doesn’t pay off with the improved physique, strength or endurance gains that they were looking for. Do your own research (using CREDIBLE sources) or consult with a professional on what your exercise and nutrition program should look like to get you where you want to be.

Integrate technology into your fitness plan. From using apps to record your daily food journals and track your activities, to using a heart rate monitor to better track your own personal caloric burn, data is where it’s AT! It is so much easier to know what you need to work on when you understand exactly what you’re doing. It is also much easier to hold yourself accountable for your actions, which can be scary. Don’t be afraid, be empowered!

Eat more seasonal and locally grown produce. You’ll be starting off great just by eating more produce! Only 14% of American adults eat the recommended minimum of 5 servings a fruits and vegetables every day. Food that is fresh is also more nutritious. As produce sits in storage or travels on trucks and container ships, the vitamins the food deteriorate. You’ll get the most beneficial food when its been recently picked OR flash frozen at its peak

What are you planning to try or do this year?