What a year 2016 was!

I am incredibly grateful to each and everyone of you, to have you all join my family and I for the year that was. We watched as they twins learnt to crawl, walk and are now happily babbling away. The boys grew into little men before my eyes. My marriage has strengthened even more as we've learn to parent our now toddlers together and run the businesses (continually juggling)! The Bod program has established the most amazing online community and I am thrilled to be able to call those following it my training buddies. Do you see a pattern forming in this blog? ;) Prior to writing down any new years goals or resolutions, first reflect over the year that has been. What are some memorable events that may have occurred and what did you enjoy most about the year? What are the POSITIVES? Everyone focuses on the mistakes, the negatives or perhaps the things you would most like to change about yourselff. But what about those things you are proud of? Start with these first! How did you improve on your goals or perhaps resolutions you set for yourself last year? Did you gain strength? Did you have a baby? Buy a house? What are you proud of? There is always SOMETHING to pat yourself on the back for- we need more of this. This year, my resolution is pretty simple in theory but is also the same as last year as (unfortunately) I didn’t achieve enough to say it is accomplished.

My goal (or resolution) is a better family/work life balance.

Owning your own business (especially being a 24/7 business!) means we are always working- there is always ‘something’ to do. But, at the end of the day family is our number one. So having that switch off time is just as important to me as providing for the family. How are you planning to tackle 2017? The mistake that people often make with new years resolutions (or goals) are that they’re too ambitious. Make your goals achievable. For someone who has never stepped foot into a gym, setting a goal of going to the gym 5 days per week is unrealistic. Start small, break down your goals and ensure that they’re actually something you REALLY want to change- sounds easy in theory right? Perhaps that glass of red that you have with friends on Friday night is not helping you achieve your fitness goals- but you enjoy it and don’t ‘really’ want to give it up. Chances are that it won’t be easy to stop as you enjoy it. Choose goals you WANT to change. Will it be a year of firsts? New goals to achieve? Saving and grinding away for something big? Are your goals as detailed as dotting every 'i' and crossing every 't'? Or are they broad like 'get in shape this year'? Whatever they may be, make sure your goals for 2017 are important to you! The strongest force within us is not our physical strength, but our mental strength. And even if hundreds of people want something for you - you need to want it too for it to truly happen.

Almost any kind of goal requires some sort of sacrifice.

If you want to study and gain a certification or qualifications, that's time and effort you need to put in for a long period of time. Perhaps you want to improve your eating and lead a healthier lifestyle, you need to learn to give up your old habits which can be incredibly mentally testing. If you want to meet new people and make friends, you need to put yourself out there and be willing to let people in. And if you want to travel, you need to forego some things in order to save up and put towards travelling. If you want to sleep more and have more downtime, you'll need to implement structure. Whatever your goals may be, make sure they make YOU happy- really think about them and what you want for your 2017. In happiness and health this 2017, Sophie x