How do you measure a year?

Twenty-six. Overweight. Broke.

Not exactly what I thought I'd have to show for the first quarter of my life, but I'm just thankful to be standing on my own two feet with the man of my dreams and an abundance of family and friends. I am happy, yet there are some very big changes I want to see happen over the course of the year. Therefore, I've decided to set a top-ten goals list for the next year.

1. Save $5,000.
Right now my savings account balances total $75.26. We want to buy a house sometime in the next five to ten years as well as think about starting a family in that same time frame (maybe). I desperately want a house but you need money to buy a house. So, my goal is to save $5000 this year. It's a huge goal, especially all of the expenses that I have, but with smart shopping and cutting out frivolous spending, it is totally doable!

2. Apply to a doctoral program.
Yikes. It's a huge commitment but one that I'm ready to explore. The university I currently work for offers a tremendous tuition credit and it would be crazy for me not to at least apply and take classes towards a doctoral program.

3. Read 26 books.
On my last birthday, I made a goal to read 25 books before 26 and I succeeded! Woo hoo! Time to start reading again for this year :)

4. Fully run a 5k.
I will train, building my endurance (and confidence) and run my 5k before age 27.

5. Get to my goal weight.
I know, I've said it before and I will keep saying it until it comes true. I will reach my goal weight, and I will reach it before I turn 27. I woke up this morning weighing 216.2 and by November 5, 2011 I will weigh 158 - which will be a total weight loss of 100 pounds when (not if) I reach my goal.

6. Make an additional $30 payment each month towards my student loans.
I have over $46,000 in student loans. It's a scary number. It sucks. But, it had to be done and I have two very beautifully-framed degrees to show for it. I know an extra $30 a month won't be much, but it's a start. Starting is the key theme of this year.

7. Make an additional $25 payment each month towards my car payment.
I am almost under $9,000 owed on my car - woo hoo! By paying an extra $25 a month, I will have lower payments in the future, and can hopefully pay my car off sooner.

8. De-clutter and organize my life at work and home.
Geez, I need more organization. I'm not totally disorganized, but I am too much clutter in my life. I will focus on various parts of my life and organize them along the way, such as: my recipe collection, coupons, the kitchen, clothing, files at work, etc.

9. Commit to working out NO LESS than twice a week.
There is no reason why I can't and shouldn't be working out AT LEAST twice a week. I should be working out more than that, and I know it. Thus, I commit to working out at least twice a week.

10. Write a book.
I've said it for so long that I wanted to write a book, I've started a handful of projects and never moved past the first couple of pages. I signed up for NaNoWriMo which is National Novel Writing Month. It is a challenge that asks you to write 50,000 words during the month of November. By starting with NaNoWriMo, I will have a book written before my next birthday. (Note: I didn't say PUBLISHED, I just said I wanted to write a book.)

To achieve my goals, stay on track - and honestly, to stay accountable - I will post a weekly blog (on Fridays) with updates.

Signed, sealed and delivered.