Energy Express by Marilynn Preston

This time of year, I get a fair amount of exercise trolling for trends — especially healthy lifestyle trends, my bread and olive oil.

The recession is taking its toll, and it's not all bad. In 2010, more of us are going green, trading down, cutting back, scrutinizing food labels more and eating out less.

"Small is the new big" is one of my favorite trends for 2010 because it is what it says — a small statement about a very big shift that is taking place in the collective consciousness.

People are more interested in smaller cars, smaller houses AND the fine print, according to Ann Mack, that princess of prognostication who runs trendspotting for JWT, the global advertising agency.

Mack — who also predicts 2010 is about "searching for stability ... and retooling for an aging world" — had her crystal balls crushed by Jon Stewart on a recent Daily Show send-up of her corporate-funded research, and her 50 global trend scouts.

I am not one of them, nor do I wear feathered earrings and jumpsuits, two of the wilder prediction misfires of 2009. But I love reporting on a good trend, especially when it's in line with my own thinking.

More people seeking out healthy lifestyle coaches? More Zumba, salsa and strength-training classes? More school programs to combat childhood obesity? All predicted, all positive, let them come true.

Here are a few more well-spotted trends to inspire, educate and maybe even comfort you:

— Mobile Philanthropy means using your cell phone to be charitable. It's one of the featured 2010 trends on the JWTIntelligence.com website, and it's already had an enormous impact on the Haitian relief effort, "the largest mass texting effort ever."

In 2005, the American Red Cross raised about $400,000 via mobile phones during the Hurricane Katrina crisis. This year, because mobile philanthropy is catching on, people texted to donate more than $6 million to the Red Cross relief effort in Haiti in just the first few days! It's only $10 at a time, but it all adds up to a huge heartfelt gesture to do the right thing.

And that's where the health benefits kick in. Reaching out to others across the street or across the globe is an energy boost.

It feels good to do good, and studies show that generosity helps you live a longer, happier life.

— The Digital Cleanse is the forward-thinking name of a trend I could really get behind. It was spotted a couple of years ago by Mack and team, and it's still on their collective radar for 2010.

The Digital Cleanse refers to people who decide to abstain from social networking for a period of time. They drop off Facebook, abandon Twitter, are MIAs on My Space. Why? Because they want their real life back, complete with non-virtual real friends.

The JWT trend scouts report a growing awareness that social networking is a huge time suck and "causes people anxiety as they try to keep up and exist in a culture of public narcissism." This trend is "also driven by concerns over privacy and control of personal data."

It may be a minor trend compared to the swarms of people who are texting while driving into trees and Bluetoothing their brains for 24-7 connectivity, but I still count it as a very healthy one.

— "Time-efficient workouts for time-pressured Americans" is one of many 2010 fitness trends reported by ACE, the American Council on Exercise. Who has 90 minutes a day to relax, get stronger, stretch? That's why shorter, smarter workouts are trending upward — boot camps, circuit training and kettlebell training, for instance. Kettlebells? Imagine a cannon ball with a handle. Amazing workout in half the time, first popularized by a Russian strongman named Bruno more than 300 years ago.

— Exergaming — fitness-based video games along the lines of Wii sports and Wii fit — is still luring the masses. I suppose any activity is better than none, but I'm a wee bit suspect of this trend since it means even more time indoors, tied to the technology, away from nature with its invigorating and calming effects.

Coming up? ACE predicts exergaming group classes at fitness clubs. Personally, I 'd rather go around in feather earrings and a jumpsuit.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! THE YOGIS KNOW

"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." — Yogi Berra

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, personal trainer and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She has a website, http://marilynnpreston.com and welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to MyEnergyExpress@aol.com. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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