It is July 1st and we are halfway into the 2012 year! At this time of the year I always assess my New Year’s resolutions to see how far I have come and what goals I have accomplished —and which ones that I haven’t. 

My main goals for this year were to:

• Launch two businesses
• Start a successful small business resource blog
• Position myself as a small business expert
• Tone and tighten my body, exercise more

I have successfully launched one of the two businesses I planned on opening. Currently, Small Biz Writer is my business that I provide content writing services for small business owners that want to become more visible and competitive in today’s online marketplace. The other business I plan to launch by this fall.

I feel confident that I am positioning myself as a small business expert, via this blog, my small business column, other writing, and my social networks. My blog post: 10 Commandants of Blogging for Small Business has gone semi-viral on Business 2 Community! I think it’s safe to say I’m on my way! 

Tone and tighten my body needs a little a lot of help!!! I had a baby last August (my third child) and let’s just say that things aren’t quite the same lol! I have crevices and pockets on my body that I didn’t know exist! As a writer I spend an awful lot of time at a desk or in a chair in front of a computer or a laptop. I started to exercise in June but I haven’t been as consistent as I need to be to get the results that I want to have. My goal is to be as limber and flexible as the lady pictured above, but right now I feel like I am a hamburger away from: 

                              But my goal is to look like this (again):

Jennifer Hudson looks fantastic but I think I have her old body! Just kidding, but this month I plan to really be a lot more active and consistent with my workouts. I also plan to eat very healthy too! I’ll check back in December with my results. Essentially I have accomplished all my goals (or well on my way), but that is no good if my health is not up to par. It is important to me to adopt a fit and healthy lifestyle. I think as a small business owner (unless you are a personal trainer, or other fitness related business owner) it is easy to get caught up in your work and family and unfortunately a healthy lifestyle is not always at the top of our minds —BUT it should be. What is the point of building a successful business if you aren’t gonna be healthy enough to run it a few years or even months down the line? This month I challenge myself and other small business owners to get in shape and stay healthy. Visit my Pinterest board Small Business Fit for fitness tips, healthy recipes, and great motivation!

I have also found a few great articles across the web discussing the topic of exercise and business:

• Working Out Means Working Smart —Why Entrepreneurs Need to Seriously Address Their Health Issues ~UPrinting.com
• How to Overcome the Desk Job Bulge and Be Healthier ~The Savvy Copywriter
• 4 Ways to Keep Fit at Your Desk Job ~Fitness Force
• Are You Fit to Freelance? (Tips for Exercising at Your Desk) ~Submitted For Your Consideration
• Get In Shape While You Work —5 Exer-Desks ~My Life Scoop

Ashley Neal is an entrepreneur and small business advocate that enjoys writing about topics pertaining to small business.  She is the owner of Small Biz Writer, where she specializes in providing quality content online for small business owners which in turn increases visibility and sales. Additionally, Ashley is the editor/writer and publisher of her own small business resource blog Small Biz Diamonds. She also writes for Examiner.com as the Atlanta Small Business Examiner, and Future Simple’s small business blog: Growth University.

Images (from top to bottom): Lady on desk, Lady trying to fasten jeans, Jennifer Hudson,