Happy New Year!! I hope whatever you did to ring in the New Year was fun & safe!

I’ve been in Boston the past couple of days and must have subconsciously decided to carb it up while I can…have you ever looked forward to starting a diet? Because I am seriously pumped to have a solid “no thanks, I can’t have that cookie/chip/pastry/whatever deliciousness excuse” to whip out of my back pocket. Fat train is making its last couple of stops folks, and then I’m throwing myself off.

Like most Amercians, I start fresh each year with a few resolutions. I’m pretty Type A so I don’t like to make a resolution unless I really think I can see if through and stick with it. Read: I won’t ever resolve to qualify for Boston, cause that shit won’t ever happen, but I will resolve to do 90% or more of all of my planned training for races.

So, without further ado, my 2012 resolutions:

Not so fun:

1. Create a budget and track with excel- I’m not expecting it to be down to the last penny, but I have a bad habit of a Starbucks here, a trip to Urban there, etc etc and then I wonder why I can’t save more money. I’d like to set it so that I have x amount of money each week to use whatever senseless way I want, but that I cut myself off after that amount. Same with clothing money.

2. Save at least $20,000- I’d like to buy some sort of property when I’m 30, so I’ve got 4 years to create a down payment. Hopefully at that point I’ll have a partner in crime and have a great nest egg to have a first house/condo.

3. Meet with a financial planner Seeing a theme? Yeah, I have no idea how to use the stock market to my advantage, so I need a little help. I’m also really bad at actually parting with my money when risk is involved, so we’ll see what the outcome of this meeting is.

Fun:

1. Run 5 races! Any length, for whatever reason. Just more racing this year

2. Plan my workouts on Sunday Put stuff in my calendar and track my progress toward getting everything I want to get in in during the week

3. Lose 10-15 pounds by July 7 Why July 7? That’s when the BF’s best friend gets married, which officially marks the opening day of wedding season. After that there are 4 more weddings to go in 2012 so I want to be looking svelte at the outset. That would mean 7-10 pounds by Hawaii (fingers crossed!!), too.

There you have it. My resolutions for 2012—essentially to work hard, play hard and start working toward the future :)

What are you resolving to do this year?