Below is a wonderul email I received from someone that reads this blog.  Thanks Amanda for sharing your story!  

I read your blog, and I too am making some changes this year. I am not sure that one thing in particular caused me to change my thinking, but I know that I want to be healthier, mentally and physically, for my boys and myself.

It is so important to me that my boys never think you have to choose between a personal life and a professional life; I want them to know that there is more to life than work, so even at the end of a 14 hour day of working and going to school full time, I want them to see me smile and be happy.

As far as the changes that I have made, I made a "to-do" list for 2012. Having it in writing is a challenge to myself as well as a daily reminder. Under that to-do list, I have "make healthier decisions". I do not want to put pressure on myself to run so many miles per week or go to the gym so many times, or even go on a crash diet that I know would only last 2 weeks tops. But, I do find myself grabbing a water over a pop, and taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator. I also hit the treadmill at home about 5 times per week. It may only be 10 minutes while I am waiting for dinner to come out of the oven, or 45 minutes while watching an NFL game, but either way, I can exercise without missing time from my family.

I will be on the lookout for tips for continuing the momentum! Thanks!

~Amanda

2012 is my year of transformation.  Something in me has clicked and I’ve made it my mission to “get my act together” in many ways.  First, I have made some significant changes in my household in terms of diet, exercise, balance and mindset.  I realize that to be an effective wife, mother and businesswoman I must put everything in perspective—including my rear end.  I’ve also committed to my husband to become more financially aware and responsible (perhaps even tougher than exercising!).  Finally, I’ve committed to myself to get more sleep.  Despite the rage of being sleep deprived amongst my overachieving peers, I just don’t function well on less than 8 hours.  So…2012 is my year of transformation.

I wish I could tell you what made this a sudden priority for me—I simply don’t have the answer to that.  My doctor has been on my case for two years about my blood pressure with no positive effect on me.  I have been exhausted and burning my candle at both ends since I started my business in 2008.  Maybe I’ve become wiser with old age, or maybe I finally realized I was on a path of destruction.  Whatever the case, simplify, simplify, simplify is my mantra for the year. 

So, like all goal oriented people, I’ve set up an action plan.  My kids are always involved in sports and other activities, so I’ve scheduled “me time” that works within and around their schedule.  I run on the indoor track during tennis lessons, I promised them free swim time every Tuesday night after my kettle bell class, I walk with my neighbor in the wee hours of Monday morning, I work out with my trainer Friday afternoon, I hit the indoor track while they are in Saturday swim lessons and I run on my treadmill the other days.  I’ve even committed to double duty Monday workouts (morning and evening) to take Thursdays off—there is no good place for me to workout during gymnastics.

And talk about simplifying—I realized that I really don’t need new clothes—I just need to be able to fit in all of the ones I currently own.  It will feel like having a new wardrobe once that happens. Fiscal responsibility, here I come!

I look forward to sharing my journey of 2012 with you.  I’d love to hear what you’re doing to make big and lasting changes that will help you reach your goals.