If you want to mesh with the crowd, if you want to not worry about the size of your ass, and if you are looking for a “Meetup” group to eat with, these cities are for you.  These selections were compiled based on the following factors:

-Highest BMI’s

-Most Cases of Type 2 Diabetes

-Amount of Obese Children

-Amount of Gyms and Recreational Facilities

-Lowest Amount of Physical Activity Per Adult

-Location of Fast Food Restaurants Per Person

Based upon these data collections the cities were compared and selected based upon which cities took up the most of these particular classifications.  This is one of the most through “fattest cities” collections there have ever been.

#1- New Orleans – Louisiana

#2 – Memphis – Tennessee

#3 – Fayette – Mississippi

#4 – Houston – Texas

#5 – Charlotte – North Carolina

#6 – Miami – Florida

#7 – El Paso – Texas

#8 – Charleston – South Carolina

#9 – New York – New York

#10 – Detroit – Michigan

#11- Mesa – Arizona

#12 – Las Vegas – Nevada

#13 – Fayetteville – North Carolina

#14 – Huntington – West Virgina

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by Leigh Peele

When I think of frequent traveling I think of the movie The Accidental Tourist. It was based of a novel by Anne Tyler and it was one of my mothers favorites. It is one of those movies that makes you take stock of what your life is and question “what is it all about?”

The main character, William Hurt, has a job writing reviews and travel guides to help assist people on their journeys. He would provide hints and tips about where to stay, what to avoid, and shared that there was an extreme difference between McDonalds in America and McDonald’s in other countries. Basically he was your guide to trying to keep as much normality to your daily life while being forced into foreign situations.

To some degree we might say, “wow, that is no way to live life!” and to this I would normally agree. I believe in gaining as much new experience in life that you possibly can, especially in dining experiences. I am not quite an Anthony Bourdain, you aren’t going to catch me eating the rectum lining of a freshly killed warthog. I will just say that for the most part new things scare me as well as excite me, and that is what life is about.

Having given that disclaimer sometimes you have to put away your desires of the new to achieve your goals. I don’t think it is not living life to take some time out to get your body where you want it to be. Sometimes it is just luck of the draw that while we are on a body changing mission we end up have to roam the country, even the world. Maybe it is constant or maybe you just don’t want to lose the ground you have made for that week and really want to just stay on track. You don’t have to explain yourself to me, I don’t care why, I am just here to be your eating tour guide.

Where are you going and what are you going to have available to you?

This isn’t about finally being free at the nudist colony outside of Boca Ratone. This is about if they have a mini fridge and a microwave in the room. What are your digs? This will determine your strategy, what you can take and how much of an ease you will have. If staying with friends/family, other than their nagging, it shouldn’t be an issue at all. The more you have at your aid the better, but if you are going to be stuck without anything you need to know so you can prep accordingly.

Tips before and after arriving to your destination

• If staying at a hotel call before hand and find out what your room has or if there is a “commons” kitchen area that you can use.
• If staying with friends or family figure out what they can accommodate. This isn’t about putting them out, but just see if you can use the fridge to hold a few things. Be polite, but don’t be afraid to ask.
• See what is going to be around you shopping wise. Check your area so that you can better plan where you can go to grab things you need.
• Stock up on plastic containers and storage bags to make it easier to travel with the food you are going to be eating.
• Buy and take along a protein shaker that has a metal spring ball in it. This makes a huge difference in the quality and taste of an on the go protein shake.
• Good shoes to travel in. It might seem like a no brainer, but I have seen a lot be left to loaf because all that had was “cute shoes.”
• Check for training spots and places that you can explore, be it by lifting or walking. When I am in a new town I take the chance to find new spots to climb, jump, and run around. Screw a gym, explore the city.
• Gas stations and grocery stores are everywhere. Cheeses, packages of tuna, meats, and that mystery burrito can work for you if need. They also have microwaves there, you can heat up whatever you want.
• Eating out doesn’t have to mean bloating up. When in doubt order a salad, it has worked for years.
• When in doubt, eat meat and veggies only. Its usually the carbs that get you in the end.
• Ask a local. You would be amazed what is right around the corner that you didn’t find via Google.
• Coolers. Weird concept I know, but a bag of ice in a bucket it almost like a portable fridge!

Your limitations are only your imagination. Got any more? Let us know in the forum.

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Featured Item for post: Travel Cooler and Warmer

The best gym isn’t necessarily the one with the best equipment.  The best gym for one person is completely different for another.  Listed below are the best, and most unique gyms around the world. From pampered to raw, there is something here for everyone.

1. Gold’s Gym in Venice, California USA

The Mecca of Bodybuilding and home of Muscle Beach. Anyone who is anybody has trained at Gold’s Gym in Venice.  In fact, there is an entire webpage devoted to it, airbrush photos of jodie foster and all. At some point if you are a serious trainee you have to get there and train.

2. Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand

You aren’t going to find a more beautiful, helpful, and dedicated training environment anywhere in the world. While this is a huge gym for training for MMA and Muay Thai, there is boxing, yoga, and regular strength and conditioning that goes on as well.

3. Doug’s Gym in Dallas Texas, USA

It’s rundown, stained, and bare bones. It is one of the first real gyms to open up and I doubt much has changed since then. So what if it is old, you will likely get one the best workouts of your life. You may even see Chuck while you are there.

4. The Third Space in Soho, London UK

If Doug’s is bare, Third Space is the exact opposite. Pool, Weights, Pilates, Medical, Boxing, Wrestling, Spinning, Climbing Wall, Dojo, and more. 4 levels of anything you could want.

5.  Equinox in Greenwich New York, NY USA

Some people like their cardio with a spa. Equinox gyms are a chain and all of them have a very similar feel of leading strong with the style, usually soft with the training. Still, their elegance is something to be seen and experience at least once.

6. Westside Barbell in Grove City, OH USA

Strong doesn’t even begin to describe the lifters at Westside. If you don’t believe in lifting heavy, going hard, and challenging every muscle, joint, and blood vessel in your body, then go the F%#K home.

7. GymBox in London, UK

Pole Dancing, Boob Aerobics (yes I said boob), Parkour, Fighting, etc.  What more could you possibly want out of a gym?

8. The Anti-Gym in Denver, Co USA

I like this guy. I mean I am sure he says a lot of stupid stuff that is horribly wrong about training and nutrition, but you have to appreciate the no BS attitude he has about things. From what I have seen so far there isn’t too much he really has wrong, except I don’t think I would promote pot and drinking during training time for optimal performance. That’s just me though.

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