I've recently learned that if I want to get something accomplished, I'd better make a game out of it. Like when I wanted to try to save money on groceries, I played the Grocery Game . And when hubby and I decided we needed to cut back on spending, we instituted No Money Mondays, where we don't spend any money on Mondays.

Now that I'm trying hard to get back on the weight-loss track, I've decided a new game is in order. I'm calling it "Five For Five." The rules are simple; I focus on five healthy habits for five days a week. For each habit I successfully accomplish each day, I earn one point. If I've earned 20 out of 25 points at the end of the round, I earn reward.

The game starts today, and I plan to play it Monday through Friday for as long as I find it helpful. My rationale is I do OK focusing on one thing at a time, but trying to put all the pieces together usually ends in everything falling apart. I intend to tweak the game as I go, but this is what I'm working on this week.

1. Drink three liters of water a day. I have a big jug that I fill with filtered tap water every morning. If I finish it before bed, I earn a point. I know from personal experience, this is not only achievable, it will also help me to lose weight and have more energy.

2. Do at least 25 sit-ups a day. Fact is, for me anyway, the hardest part of doing sit-ups is getting down on the floor. Not the bending down action, but the psychological factor. Once I'm on the floor, I'll probably do many more than 25 and may even add other exercises in. But committing to just 25 is a small enough goal that I should follow through with it.

3. Exercise for 30 minutes a day. This is the one I expect will be the most challenging. It's hard to find 30 minutes to exercise with a baby. When the weather is nice, we can go for walks so it will be easier. Now, we try to get to the mall before it opens and walk around. Some days we dance around the living room. Other days, I try to turn Wii into a workout. But in truth, I have not been consistent about exercising for 30 minutes a day more than a few times a week.

4. No junk. I've defined junk as no cookies, cakes, candy, ice cream, fried food, fatty crackers or full-fat cheese. Those are my usual diet saboteurs. When I make it a full day without any of these foods, I earn a point. I thought about making this category "eat healthy", but I think it's better for me to be specific about what I'm not going to eat.

5. Test my blood sugar at least three times a day. I'm supposed to test four times a day: fasting, before lunch, before dinner and before bed. Some days, I only make it twice and some days, I only test when I feel low. So, committing to three of the four tests I'm supposed to do (random, I-feel-off tests don't count!) is an improvement. My dear hubby thinks I should include parameters of what my blood sugar should be when I test, but I think there are too many variables in that to be fair.

Want to know what I'm playing for? This week, my reward will be a Grande Skinny Cinamon Dolce Latte from Starbucks. When I earn all 20 points, I will not only get to buy myself a latte (something I've cut from my daily budget in order to save money), I will get to enjoy it in solitude, whether that is the quiet sanctuary of my car or in the cafe. I can already taste it.

As the weeks go on, points will accrue, allowing me to win bigger prizes. I think when I get to 100, I might treat myself to a new pair of sneakers or something like that. My rules are the reward can't blow the diet or break the bank.

One detail of the game that I still need to work out is what to do with the other two days of the week. I anticipate keeping up with the goals, but being a little more lax about them. I hope I don't take days off from the reward challenge by indulging in every food that's declared junk. That would defeat the purpose of the game.

I'm excited to get playing. If you want to play along, let me know what your healthy habits are and what reward you're working for. I'd love to have company!