Hot news

Trend alert: The American Council on Exercise has compiled its fitness predictions for 2003:

• Pilates will get even bigger.

• More classes will focus on core strength workouts.

• Active relaxation workouts (tai chi, yoga, etc.) will continue to gain popularity among older exercisers.

• Sport-specific training will draw more customers into fitness facilities.

• Seniors will continue to learn the importance of strength training and its role in slowing or preventing osteoporosis.

• Online trainers will gain popularity.

• More exercisers will choose to work with personal trainers, even if for only a few sessions, to maximize workout safety and effectiveness.

• Circuit training - a combination of strength training and aerobics - will continue to gain popularity.

• Fitness will become a family affair.

• Corporate wellness programs will continue to grow.

Tips

Real love: Weight Watchers offers these tips for helping your snookums keep calories under control this Valentine's Day:

• Try to understand what's blocking his or her progress: Is it psychological, denial or lack of motivation?

• Lead by example: Follow a healthful diet and exercise yourself before asking your partner to change.

• Be nice: Don't eat your partner's high-cal favorites when together.

• Reward good behaviors instead of criticizing bad ones.

• Be subtle: Don't scrutinize food choices too closely. No one wants to live in a fishbowl.

• Don't make affection contingent on weight loss. Love should be unconditional.

• Don't make threats: Ultimatums will likely send your loved one far away.

• Do make it a joint effort: The buddy system helps weight loss and exercise efforts succeed.

• Don't compete: Everybody's weight loss works at a different rate.

• Do get closer: Enjoy the bond your joint venture creates.

Calendar

Planning: The American Cancer Society's Northern Kentucky office will have its Boone County Relay for Life kickoff party at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Florence Government Center. Information: (859) 372-7886.

Race: St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine will sponsor the Labor of Love Run/Walk at noon Feb. 16 at Northern Kentucky University Regents Hall. Reservations: (859) 491-0461.

Shelf help

Read: The Midlife Miracle Diet (Viking/Penguin Putnam; $24.95) by Adele Puhn offers a modified low-carb plan touted to curb cravings and control insulin resistance.

Siting

Click: Check out exercise.lifetips.com/OurGurus.asp for tips on just about everything related to getting in shape, from picking a trainer to working the lower body.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com