In December 2021 I looked in the mirror and realized that I had stopped putting myself first (or even close to the top of the list). A few weeks later I was diagnosed with ADHD and PCOS and it all kind of clicked. Not only was I putting everyone and everything BUT me first, I had health problems that I was basically ignoring in exchange for work and my family.

Slowly but surely from the moment I received both diagnoses, I started making slow, incremental changes to my lifestyle, and they made all the difference. These three categories are just a start, but they can drastically change your health and in exchange, your entire life.

Since the day I made the commitment to myself I have lost nearly 45 pounds, and made plenty of changes in my business and personal life that allow me live as a better, happier version of ME. Each of these three changes obviously have a LOT of steps, but when you commit to them, change is inevitable.

Get Strong…

There is absolutely nothing like being physically stronger to change your life. There is SO much that goes into this part of my life, and I could talk about it all day, but it has been the single best thing that I have ever done for myself.

• Commit to strength training 2-4 times per week. I lift weights a minimum of three times per week. Find a program, gym, or trainer that works for you and get serious about a progressive overload program.
  

• MOVE more. Walk, dance, swim. However you enjoy moving, get moving. I think we all know the benefits of movement, so take advantage of however your body allows you to move, and do it! Every single day.
  
  
• Prioritize a high protein diet. Talk to your preferred professional about this, but most of us will benefit from a high protein diet. This was a game changer for me, and when you can do it everything else in your diet falls into place.
  
  
• Eat more of the right stuff. The reality is that most women are not eating nearly enough calories every day…shocker, I know.
  
  
  

Get Focused…

• Be relentless. Make no excuses, ignore negative self talk and distractions. You have to be relentless in your mission to grow and evolve into your favorite version of you.
  
  
• Implement systems and processes. In your work and business, you need to be organized in order to stay focused. This will ebb and flow, but in general you want to have a strong foundation of organization that you can refer back to as your business (or job) evolves.
  
  
• ROUTINES AND HABITS ARE A MUST. On the days when you don’t feel like hitting your deadlines, hitting the gym, or doing anything, your habits and routines will ensure that you don’t “fall off the wagon” when you lack motivation.
  
  
  

Get Calm…

• Rest is your super power. Schedule days into your life for relaxation and joy. Whether that means binging your favorite TV shows, cooking your favorite meals, playing with your children, going for a hike, or simply existing – schedule time into your life that gives you peace that will overflow into the rest of your busy days.
  
  
• SLEEP IS ESSENTIAL. On the nights that I do not get proper sleep, I feel useless the next day. I am crankier, more distracted, and less productive. Do whatever you need to do to ensure that you are sleeping more. For me that means utilizing supplements, avoiding TV in the evening, taking hot magnesium bath, running my oil diffuser, and MOVING MY BODY during the day.
  
  
• Put your calm before everything. I have anxiety…the kind that stops me in my tracks and effects everything I do, including my relationships. After many years of therapy and trial and error, I know that I can interrupt my anxiety by interrupting negative self talk, combating unknowns with information, and moving my body. I know that in order to be a good mother, boss, friend, daughter and human, I need to put my calm first.

The bottom line is that the day you decide to truly commit to enjoying your life, and you make the time to actually do it, your life will change. How many people do you know that are really flourishing in their personal and professional lives that are not putting themselves, their health and their wellbeing first? You HAVE TO, and not the cute kind on Instagram. The kind that means making really tough calls, putting in HARD work on your body and mind, and confronting the ugly stuff you really don’t want to do.

The work is worth it. Truly.