Health and fitness are big topics nowadays and because they're important to us in our everyday lives, they're also important to us in our work lives -- we spend too many waking hours at work to not worry about how our jobs are impacting our healthy living goals.

But what about thinking the reverse: how is your health affecting the success and happiness of your work life? Namely, do you think your weight is affecting your career?

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I don't know why there's a stereotype that dogs are for men and cats are for women. Dogs are "Man's Best Friend" while aging women with no families and a cat or three are often described as "Crazy Cat Ladies". Not only is it unfair, it's also inaccurate.

I've always loved dogs -- especially big dogs (not that there's anything wrong little breeds if that's what you fancy), and I can't imagine my life without one. For that reason, I was impressed to read these 6 reasons why women prefer their dogs over their boyfriends:

• They Always Want to Spend Time With You - Totally true, a dog will never abandon you for baseball, work or X-box.
  
• They Never Scrutinize What You Made for Dinner - Every dog I've ever had (mostly Labradors which, to be fair, are often compared to garborators), will eat whatever you give them with zeal, enthusiasm and appreciation. No complaints.
• They Always Want to Cuddle - Dogs revel in your attention and will give it to you whenever you're willing to accept it. The same cannot necessarily be said about a boyfriend.
• They Never Make You Feel Insecure - Your dog will always be thrilled to see you when you walk through the door, whether you've got a bad haircut, gained 15 pounds or feel all bloated. Although again to be fair, a smart boyfriend who knows what's good for him won't point these things out either.
• They Never Complain - If you've had a bad day and need to talk or need some time on your own, your dog will listen to your problems and keep you company on a solo walk.
  
• They Are a Great Judge of Character - Unless you've got a particularly aggressive pet that dislikes everybody, how your dog treats the guys you bring home -- and perhaps more importantly, how the guys your bring home treat your dog -- could tell you everything you need to know about your date. Basically if you bring a man home and he's not a huge fan of you dog (or vice versa), send him packing.
  

In an ideal world, we'd all have a great partner and a dog, but until the right guy comes along, I'm happy to have my dog as a faithful companion.

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Have you ever heard the stereotype about women being desperate for commitment? That stereotype used to really bother me a lot, especially since I was totally independent and never felt I needed anyone to be whole. Now that I am a little older and a lot wiser (I hope), and certainly a lot more fit, I wish that stereotype were at least partially true--but probably not in the way you think.

See, when I was about twelve years old I got tired of being the pudgy kid no one wanted to pick for the kickball teams. I wasn't obese or anything but I wasn't even able to make it around the block. And I was tired all the time. And bored. If I had been in better shape I could've played sports with all the other kids, and probably would've liked it.

When I was twelve I made a commitment to myself to get in shape and to stay that way. It has been twenty years since I made that commitment and I've held to it. I've smoked, I've eaten for therapy, I've lived off spaghetti, I've done it all. But I always came back to fitness. I always reminded myself that no one else was going to give me the body or the lifestyle that I wanted but me. I couldn't hire someone to run those miles or eat that salad. Nope, it had to be me.