I started with the Starbucks challenge, and it worked. I still haven’t set foot inside a Starbucks since I decided to go cold turkey (and no, I didn’t go through the drive-thru either!). That’s two weeks without those delicious (calorie laden, expensive) drinks. I hardly even shake as I drive by anymore, either.

Then last week I laid out the fruit and veggie challenge. Granted, it wasn’t very specific, but that’s okay. For me, it meant increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in my diet by mindfully eating them every day. I did that too. Not a day went by this past week that I didn’t eat my fruits and veggies. Could I have eaten more of them? Certainly. But I could have eaten less, too, and I choose to concentrate on the small victories.

In the past week I’ve consumed the following: tomatoes, onions, peppers, zucchini, crookneck squash, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, celery, apples, tangerines, oranges, a tangelo, pineapple, spinach, lettuce, and raisins. Do raisins count? No? How about craisins? I had those too. And you know what? They were good. All of them.

So what to do about next week?

1. Stay out of Starbucks (it’s getting easier and easier)

2. Keep eating the fruits and vegetables

3. Cut down on soda (or, to be true to my roots, pop)

OUCH. I can’t believe my fingers actually typed those words. I love soda. I drink soda every day, usually more than one a day, so my challenge is to drink no more than one soda on any given day. This will be difficult! Still, I think it will be a good challenge, and one that will benefit my body and wallet. Even though my soda of choice is diet, it still can’t possibly be good for me, and it definitely costs more than water. It’s a win-win situation, and a challenge I’m ready to attempt.

Are you with me on this one? Anyone else want to cut down on soda this week? Join in and we’ll drink our water together.