This article looks at the trends in diet and fitness for the new year, 2023.
The past couple of years have been tough. The pandemic has turned our lives upside down, with many of us overindulging in snacks and comfort foods to try and relieve stress.
Many gymnasiums have closed during this time. And some of us have had to work from home, making it all too easy to grab something from the fridge or pantry every time we take a coffee break.
This combination of less physical activity and a higher-calorie diet has resulted in many of us piling on the pounds.
Sadly, there’s no way of knowing how long Covid-19 will be around. So, with a new year upon us, it’s an excellent time to do a diet and fitness makeover.
Keep reading to discover what those in the know predict will be hot in diet and fitness for the new year.
You may also like to read this article on hot new fitness trends for 2024.
Table of Contents
Trends in Diet and Fitness for the New Year
Diet, Nutrition, and Health
Intuitive eating:
Intuitive eating, or anti-dieting, is expected to be among the biggest fitness trends for 2022. And according to many diet and fitness experts, it will become even bigger.
This way of eating involves being aware of what your body needs and wants rather than eliminating foods unless you don’t like them or an allergy prevents you from eating them.
Studies have shown that when foods considered off-limits on many diets are allowed, they no longer hold the same appeal. As a result, most people automatically gravitate toward healthier options.
Plant-based diets:
Plant-based diets aren’t new. Oat, soy, cashew, and other plant milk have been around for many years, as have vegan butters and cheeses. 
Over the past several years, more plant-based products and meals that taste like meat have become available in supermarkets. Being so accessible, and with more of us eating at home, shoppers are trying them.
Those who like them may go on to become full vegans. Others may choose to eat plant-based meals at least part of the time.
Fasting Mimicking Diet:
Though not new, the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is shaping up to be one of the next big diet trends for 2022. It is particularly popular with those who want to improve or maintain their health and increase their lifespan as they lose their excess pounds.
The diet centers on plant-based foods with very limited or no animal products. It is high in good carbs and healthy fats, with a low protein and sugar allowance.
Classed as a “partial fast,” the food plan is followed for five subsequent days each month, during which time you will take in between 800 and 1,100 calories daily.
Some of its scientifically proven benefits include its anti-aging properties and its ability to burn fat and increase lean muscle.
Additionally, it may repair damaged cells, enhance cellular function, reduce inflammation, and rejuvenate the immune system. This way of eating is also said to help control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce blood sugar levels, and improve brain function.
Greens powders:
Greens powders are a nutrition-related trend established in 2020 that has outlived the temporary fad status. It’s expected to be even more popular in 2022.
The supplement comprises powdered vegetables, fruits, and other nutritious additions, usually stirred into juice, water, smoothies, or added to recipes.
Some contain leafy green vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, and/or fruits such as blueberries and acai berries.
Other ingredients may include alfalfa, wheatgrass, spirulina, kelp, and seaweed.
Some also contain probiotics, green tea extract, and Ginkgo Biloba. Stevia or monk fruit is often used as a sweetener.
Many nutritionists believe greens powders can benefit people who aren’t getting sufficient vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from their diet. However, most say the powders should supplement dietary needs, not wholly replace fresh fruit and vegetables.
Specific-use foods:
Specific-use foods are another trend in diet and fitness for the new year.
Examples are foods people use to boost their immunity, improve their gut health, manage specific medical conditions, or enhance their hair, skin, and nails.
For example, those wanting to boost their immunity can do so by eating more leafy greens, broccoli, red bell peppers, ginger, elderberries, and citrus fruits.
Other beneficial foods suitable for this purpose include yogurt, oysters, and wheat germ.
Food elimination diets relevant to the above conditions and concerns will also become more prevalent.
CBD edibles:
According to its proponents, CBD has a broad range of benefits. These include improved well-being and mental health, and pain relief.
Studies have shown that medicinal CBD, in its various forms, can also help treat certain medical conditions.
These products are perfectly legal and won’t cause you to feel high.
Once only sold online and later available in health food stores, more and more supermarkets sell them nowadays, so accessibility is no longer an issue.
Click this link to read an article on the benefits of CBD oil for athletes.
Fitness and Movement
Wearable technology:
Wearable technology devices, AKA wearables, have been around for several years, and they’ve never been more needed than now. An electronic device that is usually worn touching the skin, wearables transmit and store exercise, biological, and sometimes medical data.
This information will enable you to monitor and make improvements to various metrics.
The most basic models show your heart rate, the number of steps walked, calories burned, and time spent exercising. Others show your blood pressure and provide information on your sleep quality and cycles, stress level, body temperature, etc.
It’s estimated that 1 in every 3 Americans uses a wearable, and this number is expected to rise further over the coming twelve months.
Fitness apps:
Mobile fitness apps have become even more popular since the start of the pandemic. They are portable and offer an almost limitless range of at-home exercise options that you can do at any hour of the day or night, wherever you may be.
Genres include running, cycling, rowing, strength training, bodyweight exercises, HIIT, Yoga, and the list goes on.
Whatever your favorite form of exercise, there will likely be dozens, if not hundreds, of related apps.
Home workouts:
The past two years have seen a massive increase in the popularity of home workouts, and this shows no sign of abating.
Many fitness fans are turning their basements, garages, or spare rooms into home gyms. Some even install gymnasium flooring, wall-to-wall mirrors, multiple machines, and weight benches.
Those who don’t have the space or budget for this can take a simpler approach, using a stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical trainer, or similar. Hybrid or multi-purpose exercise equipment is another option if you want more variety and don’t have a lot of room.
If your available room and money are really tight, you can get a great workout using dumbbells, resistance bands, or workout DVDs. Along with walking, I am currently doing Figure 8 Fitness and a short Maxi Climber workout a few times a week.
Virtual trainers and coaches:
Virtual trainers or coaches are expected to be another significant trend in fitness for the new year.
No matter how advanced your fitness equipment is, you won’t get the best from it if you’re unsure how to use it correctly. This is where a virtual trainer can help, showing you how to work out over Zoom or another online platform.
Virtual trainers are also useful at the gym if there isn’t an available trainer on site. You’ll be able to use the gym’s equipment without wasting time waiting for a trainer to answer your questions.
Equipment such as Peloton also falls into this category, offering many different fitness programs created by personal trainers.
Smart home gyms:
A smart home gym offers the benefits of a home gym and a virtual trainer in one. They usually come with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. And you can sync them to a smartphone to track and upload your sessions’ stats.
Many enable users to participate in virtual classes displayed on an integrated screen, their mobile, or television. You can also interact with fellow users, which is great for motivation, and get advice and support from personal trainers.
This type of equipment can be more expensive than traditional fitness aids, but they are worth every cent if you have the money and know you will use it.
Intuitive movement:
As with intuitive eating, the intuitive movement trend is on the rise. 
You won’t necessarily exercise less with intuitive movement, but you will have fewer rules.
You may choose a schedule that suits you, splitting your sessions rather than doing one long one.
And, like intuitive eating, you can listen to your body then decide if you will walk, swim, jog, etc., on any given day.
The variety this offers and the freedom of participating in fitness activities you genuinely enjoy will make it easier to exercise long-term and ultimately achieve your fitness goals.
Primal Movement Workouts are another fitness trend rapidly gaining in popularity.
Diet and Fitness for the New Year Summary
Obesity and the associated health problems it can result have long been a problem in the Western world.
More than ever, people are concerned about their physical and mental health. This is why diet and fitness are so important, with new science-backed data and technology available that will help us get the best results.
To summarize, the diet and fitness trends of the past few years will continue to be popular, with a few differences.
Regarding diet trends for 2022, you can expect more plant-based foods, anti-dieting trends, and nutrient-dense options when it comes to diet.
As for fitness trends for 2022, home workouts will continue to gain in popularity, and more of us will employ the services of virtual trainers and coaches and undertake intuitive movement workouts.
