The Daily Express

New Thrills for a New Year

From bargain holidays to electronic books, we’ve asked the experts what they think will be the biggest hits of 2009

Fitness

Spencer McGawley has a fitness clinic on Harley Street with top athletes among his clients.  He says:

Food

After years of zero-carbohydrate diets such as Atkins, 2009 will see a big swing towards higher carb eating.  Fed up with the fatigue headaches and lack of energy associated with not eating this food group, people will begin to eat more carbs.

They will realise what fitness experts have been saying for decades – that carbs are vital fuel for the body, helping you exercise harder and longer, and providing a stimulus for burning fat.

Expect to see celebrities talking about their carb-rich diets in the new year and don’t be surprised to read about a new fad for a “caveman diet”, based on eating only food that was available to our ancestors 30,000 years ago such as meat, cereals, grains, fruit and vegetables.

Exercise

Meanwhile the hot exercise trends for 2009 will include cycling.  After the success of the GB cycling team at the Olympics, bike sales are going to be big and people are going to start cycling to get fit.

Running barefoot will also be a big trend.  Running shoe manufacturers are moving away from heavily supported shoes to lighter shoes that complement natural running styles.  Expect to see the brave hitting the parks barefoot (or wearing very thin soles at least). It sounds mad but it works.  Just make sure you learn how to do it correctly, if you do decide to dump your normal trainers