I have always done really well with a challenge. It’s why I lose weight every time I count points or calories. It becomes something I need to do to prove something to myself. My problem usually comes when the challenge ends. It’s way too easy to slip back to “normal” once you’ve reached your goal.

That’s why I’m approaching these monthly Wellness Challenges as both challenges and habits. Yes, I plan to focus on something specific each month. But once that month ends, I’m not going to drop it. Instead, I’m going to build on it. I’m going to take the challenge I’ve worked at and add something on top of it.

Last month I did really well drinking more water, thanks in part to the deliciousness of iced green and herbal teas (this one has been my favorite). I used my Fitbit app to track my intake, mostly because it’s really simple and just requires me to put the amount of ounces I drank into my phone (for me, that’s much easier than logging it on paper). I have ended up getting to a place where I drink just about a gallon every day. That is a huge improvement for someone who used to go through most of the day without finishing my glass of water.

Now I want to take that momentum and add another layer to the challenge.

This month I want to move more.

So much of the health and fitness content I see out there in the universe focuses on the wrong things. I’m tired of continually coming across the best ways to get a bikini body or the skinny on getting skinny. Blech.

I’m sorry, but the world does not begin and end with a thigh gap.

I would much rather feel healthy and know that I’m strong than fit into a teeny tiny bikini. That’s why I’ve decided to look at my heath and wellness from a whole new perspective—and I want to bring you along for the ride!

I’ve always been a big fan of baby steps. The smallest little changes can slowly turn into habits that completely change our world. So let’s use that to benefit our health. Starting today, I’m going to run a series of monthly wellness challenges that I hope will slowly but surely help us make healthier choices.

This month’s challenge?

Drink more water.