As we go through life, we're constantly categorizing (whether consciously or subconsciously) everything that crosses our path. He is this. She is that. These are different. That's the same. Yet, where does this lead us? No day is ever the same. And it’s this sense of variety that most of us thrive on and live for. So, why is that when it comes to analyzing our eating habits, we feel the need to categorize them as either “good” or “bad”? Let's dig into this a bit further.

Weighing over 400 pounds made me feel very nervous when walking into any place, let alone the gym. I always thought everyone was staring and judging me. It can be incredibly intimidating. But don't think you have to be in shape to join a gym. I wasn't and I lost over 200 pounds! Let me tell you a story.

Are. You. READY? Volume four of the best cliché workout characters tells the story of Spot, Sloppy Joe, and the Fashion Model. They are true characters and may cause you to giggle!

You’ve seen it, right? The new “Coming Together” ad by the soft drink giant that’s designed to highlight their efforts to help curb the obesity epidemic. If there’s one thing Coca-Cola knows how to do well, it’s market their brand, and this 2-minute commercial proves that without a shadow of a doubt.

It's that time of year again. If you're anything like me, then you've been mentally preparing for the onslaught of "resolutioners" to infiltrate your gym.

It's a war-torn, dumbbell-littered battlefield where only the most patient and driven survive. Among the masses, you see an assortment of gym-savvy vets mixed in with the newbies. Somewhere in-between are the gym "acquaintances" who have been prepping for their big January surge after last year's resolutions didn't go quite as planned.

The holidays are a time when families gather near and far to "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry." Does this sound too good to be true? Maybe, that's because it probably is. Let's be honest, the holidays can be a stressful time. It's not all candy canes, eggnog, and kisses under the mistletoe as the hallmark specials would like us to believe.

If you walk into any grocery store around this time of year, you are bound to be assaulted by the ginormous, colorful bags of Halloween candy. But instead of dolling out bag after bag of artificial colors and flavors to the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood, how about trying out a few of these healthier alternatives? I'm not suggesting handing out bunches of kale and flaxseeds—after all I don't want your house to get TPed—but there are ways to healthify even this most junky of holiday traditions while still maintaining the festive spirit.

It's time. We are all getting ready for the holidays, parties, festive meals, late night drinking, office snacking, and soon enough that great excuse, “I don’t have time to hit the gym,” will all be upon us. Now is the time to prepare.

I recently spoke at the over-the-top Anytime Fitness 2012 conference in Chicago where nearly 1500 Anytime Fitness gurus gathered under the banner, “Earned. Not Given.” For you Marines out there who understand it’s “never given,” you get the passion, drive, and unyielding dedication to the mission. For all of us at Anytime Fitness, our mission is clear: improving the health, fitness, well-being and self-esteem of everyone on the planet. With obesity rates on the rise coast to coast, from one-third of the nation today to an estimated whopping nearly 60% in 2030, the time to take action is NOW.