Event Aims to Make Your Resolutions Realities

New year's resolutions are easy to make, but they can be awfully hard to keep.

That's why Carrie Kukuda of Get A Grip Total Fitness is hosting a free event Thursday, Jan. 12 at Heritage Church, 1854 Oak Grove Blvd in Lutz.

Though admission is free, there is a suggested donation of $10 for Oasis Pregnancy Center, Kukuda said.

"I like to do these a few weeks into January" when people are thinking a lot about making changes and improving their lives, Kukuda said.

They are great community events, and the donations collected will go toward a great local cause, she said.

And whether an attendee's goals are fitness, finding time, finance or fashion-related, Thursday's event will feature four speakers who will touch on ways to achieve all of them.

Beauty and style expert Wendi Braswell will discuss body image and dressing for "your body" — working with what you have now as you pursue your fitness goals, Kukuda said.

Russell Laggan of Prudential Tropical Realty will speak on "success and time management," he wrote in an email. 

"We will discuss what success truly is and how we measure success in our personal lives and in our business and family lives," Laggan said.

Not having enough time is a common exscuse for many people, Laggan said.

"The key is to determine what is really a priority and getting it scheduled so you have a foolproof plan for success," Laggan said.

Tia Pettygrue will discuss making finance "fun," Kukuda said. Pettygrue also has had her own weight-loss experience that she will share.

"She's got a good motivational story," Kukuda said.

Kukuda will discuss "simplifying myths in nutrition and exercise," she said.

The event is designed to "get out there and motivate people that they can do this," Kukuda said.

It's also designed to help people understand that where they are now is OK, but they can still look forward to making changes and improvements, Kukuda said.

People don't have to wait until they reach their goals to be happy, they can be happy now, Kukuda said.

Laggan said his passion lies in facilitating conversations that "turn on the light bulb" in people's lives.

"We're really just going for the full mindset," Kukuda said.

It just takes one person, Kukuda said. If just one person walks out the door and makes a change, "It's the coolest thing in the entire world."

Planning to attend?

The Your Best Year event will start at 6:30 p.m. and will last till 9 p.m.

Admission is free, however Oasis Pregnancy Center Executive Director Peter Castellani will be on hand to accept donations at the door. The funds raised will "help Oasis continue and expand our ministry to the community by helping hundreds of families in the Land O'Lakes / Lutz area," he said.

For details and to register, visit the event listing.

For more information, contact Carrie Kukuda at 813-600-5208 or carrie@thesomedaycoach.com.