1. Any suggestions on how to organize myself so I can keep my resolution to get and stay in shape?

We have a couple of ideas that we hope will help you keep on track of ALL your resolutions.  First is to break down what you mean to ‘stay in shape.’ Is it a regular exercise routine, visit to the gym, walking/running with a friend, eating better, dieting, supplements, swimming twice a week, etc.? 

Decide what you want to do, to stay in shape.  If it’s diet, then pick a diet and plan out sample meals until you find the right blend for you and your family.  Then schedule in meal planning and grocery shopping.

If you mean to go to the gym on a regular basis, set a goal – how many times a week?  What activities will you commit to doing?  Then schedule it out – that’s right – for the entire year!  The goes for running or walking.  Also track your progress where you schedule your time.  This way you can see at a glance if you have achieved your Body Mass Index (BMI) or the weight you want, or the number of times you stuck to your schedule.

Then after a couple of months, evaluate.  What’s working, what isn’t and why.  If you plan on working out at the Gym but you have carpool the only time you would normally have free, then it’s not working for you and you need to reevaluate to stay on track of your overarching goal of staying in shape.  Perhaps you trade off with another parent so you can go to the gym on some days and they go on the others and the kids are still taken care of – give it a try and let us know if these tips help you.