Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a fitter, healthier version of yourself! Whether you’ve been a gym member before or are a first-timer, you’re in the right place. Here, you'll find like-minded folks who are striving to simply be better than they were yesterday. Welcome to the Anytime Fitness family!

By: Becky Fulton

I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just got the notice that my divorce was final and I knew I was ready for change. I don’t remember if I saw a picture of myself, heard a comment from someone, or what exactly “clicked," but Gary (my new personal trainer) must have noticed something.

The expectation for college students is to eat whatever you can, whenever you can, as long as it's cheap. But I didn't. I started meal planning sophomore year. Sundays were spent seeking out deals in the local ads, creating a meal plan and shopping list, grocery shopping, and finally, preparing food for the week. Meal planning may seem like a hassle, but it actually comes with a lot of benefits.

Despite a freakish May snowfall here at Anytime HQ, summer has pretty much arrived for most of us in North America. It’s the time of year when everyone wants to be outside biking, hiking, running, golfing, swimming, gardening, grilling, or whatever your chosen activity may be.

It’s all-too-easy to skip the gym on days like these. But we’re here to set you straight. Turns out that now might just be the very best time to get in the gym. Self-serving? Most assuredly. But that doesn’t make it any less true! Allow us to explain.

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.

Grain bowls are one of my favorite meals. A perfect balance of carbs, fats, and protein, they're the best way to get a lot of flavor and nutrients in one dish. Plus, they're hearty and filling. There's nothing better on a cool spring day.

So what are we waiting for? Let's build a bowl!

Let's face it, we are all creatures of habit. We love eating certain foods often and frequently. Heck, a while back I went through a string cheese phase and man could you see it in my diet tracker. To make things easier for you, we thought it would be a good idea to show you how to create a custom meal and how to add it to your diet tracker!

Spring is here! We’ve designed this month’s workout calendar to get you out in the sunshine with activities like running, biking, and walking. Incorporating the outdoors will keep you interested in your plan, while also providing some much-needed vitamin D. Mix these in with your regular strength and cardio sessions and you'll be on track to hit your goals.

Did you know that all-natural mud smoothies are a great source of carbohydrates and protein? All you need is some organic dirt, free-range worms, and water, and you'll have the perfect post-workout snack!