Happy New Year to all my readers ! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that you are rested and ready for 2012!  I definitely got my share of rest, having had no work for nearly three weeks and I find myself in the very same position as I did last year (although then I also spent Christmas in Norway, whereas this year I stayed at home in New York); broke and worried. Having your own business is both good and bad, there are so many ups and downs, highs and lows, great moments and terrible moments…. and there is always the uncertainty, the hustle, the need to drive yourself harder every day to get more business and more.. and more… Sometimes it can be very exhausting and it can take a mental toll on anyone. I have to keep reminding myself that it beats having a boss, although the security of a paycheck sure sounds great right about now!

My old self would probably have reacted like this: popped open a bottle of wine (or two), comforted myself with some cheese and crackers, followed by a pint of ice cream.  Food was always there to keep me company or to give me temporary relief so I didn’t have to do anything else. Eating prevented me from having to find something else to keep me occupied. I of course know better now – I recognize all my trigger points before I act.  When I get down or depressed, I realize I have to get out of the house. Whether it’s to the gym, out for a run or  a leisurely stroll with the dogs –  or even just grab a magazine or my laptop and head to a coffee shop for an hour or two to get out and get inspiration from others by just being around people. THAT feels much better than giving in to food that will end up on my thighs and belly and make me feel even worse.  I feel empowered by being in shape, I feel better than I would have if I had consumed thousands of calories and I want to continue feeling great- nothing is going to change that. Gone are the days of “oh well” and let’s be miserable another year and mad we can’t fit into the clothes we want to.   As we always read about; it is a lifestyle change, not a temporary ‘diet’ or program.

My New Years resolutions this year, does not include “go to the gym more often” or “eat healthier” because I’ve been doing that for the past couple of years, and what I’m doing works well for me so I won’t fix what is not broken. Sure, I might switch up my routine, how many cardio sessions I do a week, how many sets, reps, and exercises I do (and variations thereof) – but in essence, I’ve got the fitness part down to where I want to.  My resolutions this year will be to fix what is still not optimal in my life. They include:

1) Get financially healthy within the next 3 years. This means a)getting rid of old (BAD) credit card debt which I keep paying every month and never seem to eliminate. This year is the year!, b) create a budget and FOLLOW IT,  c) no more impulsive buying and  d) find even more ways to be creative about making money!

2) Take more time out for myself other than going to the gym and making healthy foods. I am not a very “girly” girl, but when I do take time out to go to the nail salon, the hair dresser or even browse a store that is not a GROCERY STORE (yes, I cook for a living), I always feel great and better about myself. It helps me relax and reminds me that I’m a woman and I want to be feminine!

3) This is kind of in line with #2, but I want to start investing in more ”civilian clothes”, and not spend every dollar I have on gym clothes. Sure, rightfully so, I spend probably 80% of the time in my workout clothes since I go to the gym twice a day and work from home most of the time, but I really do want to start dressing up more – hey, I may even start wearing heels again!

4) Find time to read books. I spend WAY too much time watching television, and although I love my shows, I need to exercise my brain more and read literature that is not a cookbook or about wine making…

5) Take more time out for friends. Since I moved up to the Hudson Valley, which is about 1 1/2 hours north of Manhattan, I have been somewhat of a recluse, also because my business is located here. I want to devote at least once a week to going into the city not just to work, but to hang out with all my fabulous friends (who are like family since most of my family live in Europe) there!

6) Finally, keep reminding myself not to compare myself to others, but to only be the best version of ME.  I can get wrapped up in competing and trying to be better than the next person – but at the end of the day, I want to love myself for who I am and all I’ve accomplished, plus  all I’m going to achieve this year and the next.. and the next… in essence, to remember to be grateful for everything in my life.

Two years ago, I had written down all my goals I wanted to achieve in the year ahead. I recently found that journal in my bedroom and proudly realized that I in fact accomplished every single point. What a fantastic feeling that was! I could hardly believe it, that writing the goals down on paper actually worked. I read about it all the time, but had always just “poo poo’d” it as insignificant advice.  Looking over my list this year, I think this can all be achieved.  Let me correct myself; I KNOW this can be achieved, because I WILL do it. I’m in charge of my life and I choose what to do! I feel a tremendous sense of relief that I have in this way sorted through my messy head I woke up with on New Years Day – where I felt a bit overwhelmed by my “to-do” list. Everyone seemed so energized and ready to kick ass where as I felt a bit paralyzed by where to start. So much to do, so little time! It all comes down to sorting through your goals and prioritizing which ones are most important right now. Knowing that you can accomplish anything you set out to do, will calm you down and you will find patience and persistence.

If you believe it – you can achieve it! So let’s go out and do it, shall we??  Fight to be fit – not just physically, but mentally, socially and economically. Goals are meant to be big so we can continue to have something to work towards, to have a purpose, and to feel productive. Can’t wait to work even harder in 2012!!