New Year! New You!!!

This is my first blog of the new year and I'm super excited!!! It's actually crazy that I can this say because I, like most of you, created a laundry list of things that I would like to change this year... Let's not call them the "R" word because that means they'll only last 'til February. My list includes things like losing 10 lbs (and maintaining it), tightening my budget, etc... We're only 3 days in (started this post yesterday :/) and I'm already struggling! Driving past fast-food spots in favor of that microwave meal and forgoing my beloved Starbucks for my not yet perfected "skinny caramel macchiato". I'm also craving salt & vinegar chips right now... so much so that I thought about contacting Lay's about creating a 100 calorie pack! Since it may take them a while to honor my request, I decided that I will buy a big bag and aliquot (hey, I'm a scientist) it into little baggies and bring one with me to work as an afternoon snack. Little things like this make keeping my res... (Oops! Almost said it!!!) more feasible. Some things, however, require a little more creativity! My most challenging life change is giving up shopping. For those of you that know me personally, I'll insert a pause here (PAUSE) so that you can regain your composure from laughing hysterically. As with most "life changes", I've attempted this one several times in the past and failed miserably each time. During the times that I was able to briefly refrain, when I started shopping again...ummm...let's just say I made up for lost time! This time I asked myself what I could do differently to make this change stick until I reach my financial goal. My answer...drum roll puh-leez...a blog! Initially I thought about starting a new one and then I decided why not incorporate it into Life Maintenance since making life changes that stick certainly fits into that category. Blogging about my "life change" may not make it easier to delete that email New Year, New You Take 40% Off (Yep, still in my inbox...), but it will assist me in my effort by:

I. Serving as an announcement which establishes accountability

II. Acting as a patch (think smoking cessation patch) that I can read & update to remain motivated

III. Helping others who may have implemented a similar change for the New Year

So that I won't go crazy during this effort, I've spiced things up a bit... In addition to not shopping, I have vowed not to repeat an outfit within a month. Okay...again for those of you that know me personally you're probably thinking that this isn't a major feat based on the shear volume of stuff that I have, BUT I beg to differ. With being a mom, working, and going to school I get caught up in the rut of wearing whatever is convenient (which is generally the outfit that came out of the wash that I wore last week). Not repeating will help break out of this cycle, keep my wardrobe fresh without adding new pieces, and hopefully make this challenge fun! Stayed tuned!! Happy New Year!!!