Join Us for a Healthy January Challenge | Healthy Eats

Join Us for a Healthy January Challenge by Healthy Eats in January Challenge, December 18, 2011

It’s that time of year again: holiday indulgences are upon us, followed by devout January resolutions. But it seems that no matter how many times we promise ourselves you’re going to stick to our resolutions for the whole year, we all seem to settle back into the same routine come February. This year, try something different and make sure you reach your healthy goal in the new year.

Steps to a healthier 2012:

1. Set a reasonable goal: Don’t make the mistake of setting an unattainable goal for yourself (“I’m going to lose 20 pounds by February!” or “I’ll give up all carbs!”). This year, think smalls steps toward better health. Choose a reasonable goal that you can achieve as a building block to better overall health, such as eating more whole grains and fruits and vegetables or trying a new exercise activity. Before you make your resolution, check out our 10 Reasonable Resolutions.

2. Get support: Achieving any goal is easier with a support network, either family or friends or a community built around the same goal. Here at Healthy Eats, we saw proof of this with our September Brown-Bag Challenge: bringing lunch every day was easier with the support (and recipe ideas) of everyone who got in involved. So this January, join us again in a January Healthy Every Week Challenge.

What is it?

The January Healthy Every Week Challenge is a month of healthy eating, broken down into weekly goals:

Week 1: Eat Breakfast

Week 2: Eat More Whole Grains

Week3: Cook at Home

Week 4: Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Week 5: Stay On Track

Each week, we’ll talk about the goals and share recipes and tips for achieving the goal right here on Healthy Eats and on Facebook and Twitter. Every Tuesday, just like the September Brown-Bag Challenge, we’ll post a roundup of links and recipes from those of you involved in the challenge so we can take inspiration from each other. There will also be giveaways, a twitter chat and a daily calendar that you can check for tips and more recipes.

You in?

Simply email Healthy Eats at foodnetworkhealthyeats at gmail dot com to get in on the fun. We’ll send you any follow-up information, as well as a graphic you can use on your January Challenge blog posts. Participants are encouraged to take the full challenge — one month of healthy eating, built around the weekly goals, but you can blog about the Healthy Every Week Challenge as often as you’d like; it doesn’t have to be daily.