Paris Salon in St. James, and enjoy a complimentary two-night stay at the Southampton Inn. This year we got to choose a runner-up to win a one-night complete spa package at the Lodge at Woodloch in Pennsylvania. We wish  everyone could win, and in fact, thanks to the generosity of Paris Salon, 20 moms will be getting gift certificates to encourage them to take that time they deserve.

The Winner
But there was one woman’s story that reminded us all not only of why it’s so important to take care of ourselves, but also the rewards of actually doing so. Our cover mom, Liz Gonzalez Spagnuolo of Manorville, wrote to us on her 46th birthday as she reflected on the losses she’d experienced in 2009. Her father had passed away suddenly, and her mother had suffered a heart attack six weeks later. As Liz struggled to deal with the grief, while also caring for her mother, and sons, Aiden, now 7, and Eddie, 10, and working as a substitute teacher, the last thing she thought about was her own needs.

“When my father died, I was in a fog for so long. Even making the bed was a colossal chore,” she says. “It took me a few months to realize my sons were hurting too, and I got them into grief counseling, and bonded with them again.”

But even so, she still ranked low on her own list of priorities. “I’d stopped running, and was grazing from the moment I woke up until I went to bed,” she recalls. “I didn’t even realize how much weight I’d gained—40 pounds—until my little guy said to me, `Mommy, you’re fat.’ Even though he quickly added, `You’re a pretty fat,’ and my oldest, who was horrified at his brother’s words, said, `No, you’re a thin fat,’ the point was made. I had to start taking care of myself because I’m their role model.”

Liz says she also realized, on the anniversary of her father’s death in November, that her father wouldn’t have wanted her to deal with her grief in that way.

So she got serious about a diet and exercise program in the fall, joining Jenny Craig and running an hour a day six days a week. She says the boys applauded her weight loss each week, and her husband Ed helped out so she could have her run time.  “The boys and my husband all know that’s mommy time, and they cooperate to make it happen,” she says. “I had to make a lifestyle change to incorporate exercise and balanced eating. But it’s something that puts me in a better frame of mind with the kids too.”

The result is that Liz is 40 pounds lighter, makes me-time a priority, and adds:  A happy mom makes for a happy family. “Inwardly I know I’ve changed and grown,” she wrote. “I’d love to have the `outside’ me reflect the new inner me.”

The Reward
And so she did. Thanks to the generosity and skills of Rolando Cevallos, owner of Paris Salon, Liz spent a recent morning being treated to color, cut and make-up. Though she was surrounded by our crew, Liz calmly enjoyed her pampering.

Then it was show time: posing for our cover at the salon. Susan Panetta, our art director, and Donna Alberico, our photographer, worked with Liz  (who was a natural) to get the great shots you see in this issue. Meanwhile, our media partner Waldo Cabrera, executive director of My Long Island TV, Verizon FiOS1’s news magazine, interviewed us all for a segment you can see on our site, www.liparentonline.com.

Days later Liz says she was still enjoying the compliments of friends and family. What did her boys have to say about Mom’s new look? “They told me I looked nice, but different, and it wasn’t clear if that was a good different,” she says laughing. “But I felt glamorous and had a spring in my step, so I was happy.”

We at Long Island Parent want to thank all those who helped make this New You Mom contest possible: Rolando Cevallos and his staff at Paris Salon in St. James, Donna Alberico of Perfect Capture Photography, the Southampton Inn and the Lodge at Woodloch. Look for the 2011 contest details later this year. 
Liza N. Burby is publisher of Long Island Parent magazine and mom of two girls who are old enough to understand when she needs a little down time. E-mail her at publisher@liparentonline.com

Our Runner-Up Mom
Jessica Reed, 25, of Holbrook says: “I’m your average mom of three. Tired, over-scheduled and torn in too many directions. …  I’d do anything for my children, but unfortunately when you have an attitude like that, you don’t seem to find much time for yourself.” Well, kids, Mommy is going to get a night away for some pampering. Jessica, who works 12-hour shifts at a local hospital, will enjoy a one-night complete spa package at the Lodge at Woodloch in Pennsylvania. 

Liza N. Burby is publisher of Long Island Parent magazine.