Anyone who’s fallen into the trap of committing to a gym membership for three years only to stop going after three months appreciates the value of working out at home. It’s an honourable resolution, and one topping the North American list for new year’s intentions, the vow to get in shape, so we’ve consulted the experts to glean some tips for working fitness into 2008 routines.

Welcome to our Health and Fitness issue, where you’ll find advice for buying exercise equipment from smaller accessories to strengthen the core to treadmills and rowers to sweat off extra holiday weight and gain motivation so they won’t become glorified sweater racks. Those who prefer a more cerebral approach will appreciate our cover story on practising and creating space for yoga in the home.

And on the design front, we’re thrilled to introduce columnist and décor darling Aly Velji of Alykhan Velji Design, whose inaugural New Home Living piece forecasts this year’s Top 5 trends. Speaking of trends, we also get a mortgage consultant’s predictions on how what’s happening in the U.S. will affect rates and the market here.

And the book is anchored with its always-impressive array of show homes, from Landmark in Tuscany and Jayman in Sunset Ridge to McKee in Cooper’s Crossing in Airdrie.

Meanwhile, those searching for a new address in the new year can put to good use this month’s It’s About Choices segment on choosing a builder.

A daunting task in a city that boasts one of the hottest housing markets in the country—whether you are moving up to a larger home or just getting your feet wet in the pool of home ownership, scribe Jasmin So-Armada provides a solid foundation for home shoppers in this useful read.

And green is the hue of ’08, with builders and homeowners alike taking strides to lessen their footprints on the world. This month we catch up with an Alberta company harnessing a renewable power source and providing people with a green option: wind.