New Month, New Challenge - what's yours?

The fundamental approach of EveryDay Dieters to promote positive choices and develop new habits that make long-lasting change to your lifestyle and ultimately your weight.

A new month is an opportunity to embrace one new change that, by committing to it for the month will be come a long-lasting habit.  Once conquered or embraced into your lifestyle it becomes normal and you can layer another positive change on top.
Read More for 12 Monthly Challenges to choose from.

12 Monthly Challenges - Pick one!

1. Soup or salad for workday lunches.  Why? it incorporates more vegetables into your diet.
2. No carb dinners.  Why? Discover the calorie impact of the rice, pasta, bread and potatoes on your plate.  They generally act as a taste carrier or filler so simply replace with vegetables (voodles, vegemash etc).  It's only carb-free one meal a day.
3. 8 hours sleep minimum.  Why? You can't eat while you sleep and a good nights sleep is essential to your health and well-being.
4. A healthy breakfast boost. Don't skip breakfast or overload it with sugar.  Pick two or three healthy breakfast options for variety and stick to them for the month.
5. A glass of Water before and after every meal.  Why? Water aids digestion and avoids drinking excess other beverages during your meal.
6. A dry (alcohol) month.  Why?  Giving up alcohol improves your health and reduces calorie intake.  It's good also to do for a month just to prove you can.  If you can't - was it social pressure, special occasions or do you have a problem you need to confront?
7. Stripped back Coffees.  Why? Adding sugar, cream, flavored syrups and toppings are huge calorie additions.  A simple black coffee with lite milk is just 20-30 calories.
8.  70,000 steps a week. Why? Find excuses to move. Getting 10,000 steps every day can be hard if you have say an office job but averaging 10,000 a day over a week is possible.
9. Take a homemade lunch. Why? By making your own lunch you're in control of what you're eating, are making conscious choices and can exercise portion control rather than buying the best of typically a bad lot at your local eatery.
10. Cut the soft drink. Why? Sugar-loaded soft drinks are bad for your weight, your teeth and your wallet. A switch to artificial sweeteners is an option but indulges your craving for sweetness.  Better to try and ditch soft drink all together - opt for water or tea. 
    
11. 5 a day - colorful vegetables. Why? vegetables fill you up, have fibre and vitamins but don't have lots of sugar.  Often "5 a day" refers to vegetables AND fruit but 5 vege servings a day (plus your fruit) can make a difference.
12. Cut the cookies (or chips, or fries, or cake).  Why?  You know what you over indulge in - so cut that one item from your diet for a month.  A bit like alcohol - to prove you can.  Find a healthier substitute.  It's only for one month and after that perhaps it can become your special treat - once a week not once a day!