One of my goals for 2014 is to focus on my health. It’s easy to let our health take a back burner to everything else on our to-do list. But as I share in my new book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, I’ve experienced what happens when you put your health last… and it’s not pretty!
With this in mind, I’m committed to making my health even more of a priority this year. And I’d love to have you join me for the 12 Months to a Healthier You Challenge.
We’re be focusing on one challenge area each month — all with the goal of being in a healthier place as a person by the end of next year. My hope is that as we work on instilling one new healthy habit each month, they won’t just be month-long challenges, but lifelong changes.
12 Months to a Healthier You Focus Areas for 2014
Here are the focus areas I’ve planned out for 2014:
January: Exercise Regularly
February: Eat More Fresh Fruits & Veggies
March: Drink More Water
April: Cut Back on Sugar
May: Get More Rest
June: Create a Morning Routine
July: Read More
August: Go to Bed Earlier
September: Declutter Your Home
October: Cut Back on Caffeine
November: Keep a Gratitude Journal
December: Simplify & Say No
How This Challenge Works:
At the beginning of the month, I’ll introduce the focus area and encourage you to set a small goal for that specific area and I’ll share my goals.
Then, every Friday, I’ll have a check-in post where I’ll encourage you to share your progress & struggles and I’ll share mine, as well. If you want to blog about your progress, I’ll include a link-up at the end of the post so you can share your blog posts on this challenge.
In addition to the Friday check-ins, I’ll also probably share a few posts and guest posts on the monthly topics each month, along with sharing about related books, resources, or websites that I’ve found helpful.
Are you on social media? You can also share your progress on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter by using hashtag #12MonthstoaHealthierYou.
My Water Intake Goal for March
My goal for March is to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. I’m also hoping to keep up with January’s habit of exercising at least 4-5 times every week and February’s goal of eating a big salad at least six times a week.
Will you be joining me for this March Challenge? If so, leave a comment letting us know you’re planning to join and what your water intake goals are for March. Remember to keep them simple and doable!
Jessica Claire says
I just saw this but wanted to join in too! I have a Goal of drinking 90oz of water daily. 🙂
Michelle says
I’m in! I did January’s challenge but didn’t do February’s because I was sick most of the month! 🙁 back on track this month and my goal is 8 cups of water a day!!
Diane says
I drink my water from 24 oz mason jars so I am planning to drink 3 jars a day…one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at dinner.
Katie L says
I’ll be striving for 100 oz of water a day. I’m nursing and I live at altitude, so I need it!
Lori says
This is actually an easy goal for me as I’ve been doing it for 2 years now. I have to take medication in the morning, before eating, so I drink 8 ounces right then. I keep a 32 oz cup on my desk right in front of me so I won’t forget. I also make sure to record my water intake on MyFitnessPal. If I haven’t had enough in the afternoon, I make sure to drink more – just not too late at night; otherwise, I spend half the night in the bathroom.
The one thing I need to do is to stop drinking soda. I just love it but know it’s terrible for my health. I have cut down to about 8 oz a day but the goal is zero.
Lori KLOCK says
Going to try!!!!!
Kira says
I’m in! I’m terrible at drinking water- I drink way too much soda! So, cutting out the soda and replacing it with water. I’m aiming at 64 oz a day, if not more. Looking forward to seeing if it makes any sort of difference in my day to day life!
Renee says
I am in.
I am already a pretty good water drinker (I don’t drink soda, coffee, or really much of anything else), and usually get in 64 oz per day (16 oz at each meal and after exercising), but I really want/need to increase my water intake to 80-96 oz per day.
I am also going to continue working on my BeFit in 90 Challenge, and definitely keep working on incorporating more fruits and veggies into my diet.
Jessica says
I am trying to drink at least a 32 oz. bottle of water twice a day to start. I would like to increase to 3 bottles a day. I sat out the challenge for January as I was about to have my second child but am still going strong with the fruits and veggies. I’ll be picking up January’s challenge in a couple weeks.
Catherine says
I suppose my challenge should be to drink MORE water cause that’s about all I drink anyway. I might drink 10 sodas in 12 months. I like soda, don’t get me wrong, but it bloated me & gives me gas. So I rarely drink it. Besides, if I want something cool and refreshing, it’s water. .
Monica@Monica's Hotdish says
I used to drink water more…up for the challenge. I will try 24 oz. a day to start.
Karen says
Count me in! I will be trying to drink have my body weight in water each day!!!
Catherine says
That’s the target!
Linda says
I am targeting 65 oz. of water a day (my weight, 130, divided in half, then drink that many ounces per day).
Tonya says
I’m in. I was doing really well with drinking more water a couple of months ago, but somewhere along the way I stopped. Soda isn’t too much of an issue for me as I don’t keep it in the house typically. However, I would drink an entire pot of coffee all by myself all day long if I could. Need to put the coffee cup down and grab my water bottle instead.
Ginger says
I’m most definitely joining you this month! 🙂
Svana says
I’m in 🙂 I think I drink enough water, at least at work, but I drink too much soda at home so I want to cut it out at least on weekdays in the beginning. And I want to start your January and February challenge too 🙂
Cheryl says
I’m in. I’m pretty good about drinking water but I also consume pop on most days. I will continue to drink my water and limit pop to one day per week.
Barb DeWitt says
I need help with my water intake – a challenge is just the right thing! I probably drink 16 oz. on average daily and would love to get to 32…I know I won’t drink 64 oz every day! Some days are better than others. I don’t drink sugary drinks – I just don’t drink a lot of anything! I guess I stay hydrated through all my fruits & veggies – mainly fruit.
Sharon says
Count me in too! I will start drinking 8 cups of water a day. Also I need to cut way back on coffee!
Rick says
I know I am a guy but if you ladies will allow me, I am in.
Laura Wiant says
I’ll be joining. I used to do well with this. Kicked my diet soda habit for 9 months but fell off again right before Christmas. Today is day 1, no diet soda, only water.
Lety says
I’m in! I always struggle with water intake. At the most, I’ll drink 20 oz. a day. I want to work my way to at least 64 oz. My goal is to get in at least half, 32 oz., each day this week to allow my body get used to the increase and not make me take breaks every 20 minutes.
Nicole says
Yes!! I will be bring my 32 oz water bottle to work and try to refill it at least once a day to start!
Nancy Thyfault says
I will continue to exercise but add in additional water. Just yesterday I was talking to my son about this very same thing!!
Diana Hall says
I already drink my water, so will aim to be consistent and work on getting in exercise and more fruits/veggies as I am just now finding this challenge.
Lorraine says
I’m up for this challenge this march. I’m not going to count how many cups of water but that I just stick to water will be my challenge.
Karen says
I need help with motivation when it comes to drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water, so count me in. Cutting out soda and coffee and sticking to herbal tea or water won’t kill me. Besides, all that hydration will be good for my complexion.
Christy says
I will continue to exercise 4-5 times a week also and have a goal to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I am also trying to cut down on my coffee intake.
Heidi says
I just noticed this challenge, so I have catching up to do! I’m not too bad with water. I only drink sparkling water and coffee. I’m far from healthy though, due to the rest of my habits, so I love the idea of doing this with lots of people! 🙂
Colleen says
I too need to take baby steps. I plan on drinking 16-24 oz this week and increase the amount by 8 oz each week, working my way up to 64 oz. I think I can, I think I can!
Janella says
I am HORRIBLE at drinking water. I will be taking my 20 oz. water bottle with me EVERYWHERE, including work and refilling it at least 3-4 times a day.
Heidi says
I started drinking only water just before Christmas. I had given up pop 5 years ago but still drank decaf homemade sweet tea. I gave that up and drink up to a couple of quarts of water a day. I can tell a huge difference!
kriswithmany says
I need to do this! My goal will be to get 8 cups of water in, and to keep up with my PT stretches. Also to start doing my instep exercise, at least 5 times a week.
Robyn Smith says
Yes please sign me up. I want to increase my water to 8 glasses a day and decrease my coffee consumption which is way to high.
Robyn
Amber says
I’m with Kari! No Water! Coffee maybe milk, or even nothing – ALL DAY!
Winter is so hard for me. I’m cold all the time and water is the LAST thing I want!
BUSY MOM IN AL says
My Mother-in-Law drinks warm water with lemon when she is cold. 🙂 Might help!
I fill up my pitcher in the morning and set it by the sink when I am making breakfast and I drink from that all day so it is not freezing cold water from the refrigerator!
meissia says
I’m in too! This is something I have always struggled with.
Kari says
I’m in! I really, really need to work on this one! I can go an entire day and not consume any water (unless I’m taking meds that require water) which is awful!! I drink other things through out the day I stink at water intake. I have some of those great plastic cups with the lids and straw with really fun designs on them. My goal is to drink 3 of those a day (I believe they hold 2 servings of liquid) so that would get me 6 servings by the end of a day. A definite improvement. I also need to pay more attention to how much children are drinking too…I’m sure it’s not nearly enough!
sonya says
Just starting this challenge. My challenge is to drink at least sixty four ounces of water every day. I will be picking up on the January and February challenges also. One challenge is to take 10000 steps every day.
Jen says
I think I’ll sit this month out. I carry around a huge 100 ounce trucker cup from Circle K that I polish off every day. That thing is a great conversation starter. Everyone who sees it says, “Wow, that’s a big cup! Is that full of water?” I say, “Nope, vodka. Why do you think I’m always so cheerful?” LOL The cup says “Polar Pop” on it, but I think it should be called “Bicep Buster”; it weighs 6.6 pounds full of water and ice! I’ll be looking forward to April’s challenge.
Maria says
If you’re already drinking 100 ounces, I don’t think you’re ‘sitting this one out.’ I’d use this time to refocus on one of the other monthly habits/goals that would be more challenging to you. That’s the mindset I have right now, as I’m trying to add into my lifestyle both these goals/habits and those on Flylady’s website (which does have some overlap, as May’s monthly habit on that site is to drink water).
Maria says
It’s June’s habit, actually. Flylady’s May habit is to exercise, which was already focused on as a goal on this site also.
[email protected] says
I am planning on continuing with my goals for January and February. I am starting to see and feel a difference already.
I will also join the 8 glasses of water a day challenge. I used to keep track, but then fell away from it.
So excited to add something this month that doesn’t take extra time or money .
Sissy Sweet says
I don’t drink enough liquids. I will drink at least 2 bottles of water daily, along with 2 cups of another beverage. Baby steps here. 🙂
melissa says
Same here. I’m convinced that I would be so much healthier if I would increase my water consumption. I think I’m half dehydrated a lot of the time. Good luck to you!
Stevi says
I’m in, I’ve been doing a little better with drinking water, I’ve drank at least 3 glasses a day but I want to drink 8. I just bought a new cup/tumbler type thing that is 24oz so if I drink 2 2/3 of those a day I’ll be at my goal =) And it will save me from buying drinks while I’m out and about. I also want to keep up with exercising at least 3-4 days a week and eating more fruits and veggies =) Thanks for challenging us!!
Heather says
I’ve heard that the 8 glasses a day rule is considered not always true nowadays. In the heat of summer for a large man, that would be true – or more – but necessarily in winter for a petite woman. Activity level also matters.
Water consumed in soups, fruits, etc. also counts.
Eight ounce glasses are rather small – just one cup. Most drinking glasses now are double that.
Ashley Atkinson says
I will only drink 1 cup of soft drink per day and carry water with me wherever I go during the day so I can get in my daily waters -8 glasses.
Emily says
I’m nursing so I really need to keep up with my water. I sat out the February challenge, but I’m back! My goal is to start with 8 glasses of water. My glasses are 16 oz.
Jenny says
I’m going to start and end each day with water. I will drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. I hope to increase my exercise to 6 miles/week and continue eating at least 1 fruit/vegetable with each meal.
Maria says
During the Summer, drinking water is really easy for me. I lost my favorite cup to drink water out of, so I’ve been a bit challenged. Also, during the Winter, I prefer to drink herbal tea; I probably drink 32-64 ounces of water that way daily. My goal is simply to drink 16 ounces of water while eating my daily salad. I think that if I establish that habit, I’ll naturally drink more water throughout the day.
Andretta says
I’m between 32-48oz of water a day; working my way up to 64oz a day. It’s a challenge.
Vershion says
I’m in!! I kind of started doing this last week where I refill a gallon jug & drink every 2hrs to pace myself throughout the day & I haven’t made it to 64oz but I’m working towards that….Every 2hrs starting at 9am, I got that idea from #TeamYummyBody™
Tara says
Hey Crystal! I love this healthier you challenge.
Thanks so much! I looked up water intake and there was so much information on studies that show there is no difference in drinking the eight glasses a day and drinking to thirst- health wise. I know water is better than soda, but is it really healthier to drink so much water? I’m just so curious about this. Thanks!
Andrea says
I’ve been real bad about my water intake. I will do better in March. Thanks for this! 🙂
Amber Oliveira says
I will start taking my water cup (the one from the hospital delivery from last child) with me so Im not tempted to get a sweet tea or soda while Im out and about
Christiana says
I work at the hospital and I have those same cups at home and it totally helps me drink more water. It is actually easier to keep track of how much water I have to drink. Another thing I do because those cups can tip over in the car is I keep a full water bottle (store bought) in my purse when I leave for the day so I am more tempted to drink that.
Deanna says
I will drink water every day. my plan is to start with 2 litres.
I will be giving up soda. I am doing it for me.
(its not healthy and I know it!)