First 100 Days

This blog is NOT about the first 100 days of Obama's administration. It's about the first 100 days of 2009 and how far I have gotten on my nine goals for the year.

For anyone who is counting and cares, April 29, marks the first 100 days of Obama's administration.

1. Read 30 books
I have read 9 books and I'm in the middle of my 10th book. So I'm on track to reach my goal by the end of the year.

2. Pay off my debt consolidation loan
My last loan payment is supposed to be September 28, 2009 and I'm still on track.

3. Get back in shape
Although I love my Wii it just wasn't enough so I joined a gym and got a trainer. To say I'm feeling the burn would be an understatement. There are days it hurts to walk but I'm pushing through the pain.

4. Keep on cooking
My not eating out for the month of March definitely contributed to my "keep on cooking" mantra. I still don't like cooking. It's just not something I will ever love to do. I will always prefer eating out. But cooking once a week is not so bad.

5. 3 to 6 months of expenses in to my savings
This is one of my hardest goals and I'm not sure I can do it this year. But it's a good goal to have so I'll keep on striving towards it.

6. Relax more
Anyone knows me knows that I am super Type-A personality. I have a very hard time relaxing. So I'm taking yoga and pilates. I'm also watching less TV. I think TV contributes to my stress. So escaping in to a DVD or spending more time at the gym has been my great escape.

7. Stay healthy
Joining the gym has largely contributed to my "staying healthy" goal. I'm still seeing my chiropractor on a weekly basis. I'm still getting the allergy shots and it's working. I went to my girlfriends bridal shower and the host had a dog and I was able to play with the dog and not get sick.

8. Travel some place I have never been to before
In a month I'm headed to St. Thomas. I have never been there before. Still working on the trip to the Dominican Republic and possibly Costa Rica at the end of this year.

9. Purge my apartment
I feel like I'm in a constant state of purging. I have so many magazines that I'm always going through and getting rid of them. And my Mom has been helping me to throw out even more.

Overall I'm very happy with my progress within the first 100 days of 2009. And in addition to my long terms goals for 2009 I have done various short term goals that also help me to stay motivated. I'm in the middle of 2 challenges right now (not using any credit cards this month AND forcing myself to live on less by putting a percentage of my gross biweekly salary in to savings). Those short term challenges contribute to my long term goals.

How are you doing on your goals for 2009? If you haven't given them any thought, go back and see what you listed as goals and do something to get back on track.

Next update on my 2009 goals will be July 1. That's the half way point of 2009.