Our challenge participants make many dietary changes, especially in the first four weeks of the challenge, which can lead to critical questions or confusion in everyday life. Often, participants are highly motivated to change their diet and optimistic about finally implementing their good intentions, but are held back by outsiders. The right approach is crucial here.

Awareness of the importance

How important is this dietary change to you personally? Is it a long-term goal or a short-term diet? If you want to make a permanent change: eating less meat, avoiding sugary drinks, less sweets, less alcohol, and so on, then sooner or later those around you will have to accept it anyway. It's important that you are 100% clear about why this change is important to you, so you can answer questions confidently.

Stand behind your decision

As already mentioned in point 1, you have to stand confidently by your decision. No matter how good or bad those around you think it is, you made the decision, it's important to you, and you stand by it.

Inform yourself

How do you confidently make a decision? By being informed! You want to eat less meat? Why are you doing it? For the animals, for the environment, for your health? Educate yourself through documentaries, studies, etc., so it'll be easier for you to argue your case when critics question your change.

Not proselytizing, but educating (if desired)

Just because you're embarking on a new path doesn't mean you have to become a missionary. Nothing is more annoying than know-it-alls who recently started something new and now want to get everyone on their side. Someone who does their research can enlighten you. However, show understanding for the other person's opinion, because that's exactly what you expect yourself.

Involve the environment

A picnic with friends, a birthday party, or even just a meal with your partner is coming up, and you're already panicking about how you're going to manage it all? "Thanks" to the coronavirus, there are currently few opportunities for that, but we all very much hope that this situation will calm down soon, and then it will be all the more important that your dietary change fits into your everyday life. But how do you do that? If you start eating vegan, for example, find the best recipes and cook for your friends, organize a vegan brunch and surprise everyone with pancakes, scrambled tofu, and so on. If you're invited to a birthday party, bring a homemade cake or tart. If you live with a partner, convince them of your dishes by cooking for them. In the future, you can always supplement the dishes with additional ingredients for the other person if they don't want to go along with it 100%. Tip from my household: Since I always cook vegan, my partner adds cheese to the dish himself or conjures up another side dish for my "main course," and that makes us both happy. However, he's usually so amazed that a dish is entirely vegan that he doesn't need any "additions" at all :).

Rethink your environment

Last but not least, it's not exactly a pleasant point, but sometimes you have to ask yourself whether your environment is really the right one when you're being criticized for a new project or your motivation is completely wiped out by unnecessary comments. It sounds harsh, but sometimes there are people who are jealous or perhaps lack the discipline to make changes themselves. If you're convinced and self-confident, then go for it and don't let anyone dissuade you from it. If you implement the tips listed, those around you will happily support you in your transition and may even join in on their own :).

We sincerely hope our 6 tips help you realize your plans and believe in yourself. If you need a little more motivation, our challenges are the perfect place to start. Register for the next mass start today!