It's easy to get caught up in life's busyness -- tending to work or the kids can often mean neglecting to care for yourself. But it shouldn't be that way. Martha is proposing a Body+Soul Challenge, where you'll have 30 days to get yourself on the path toward optimal wellness.

It can be tough to embark on something like this alone, so in addition to offering you healthy recipes, stress-reduction tips, and invigorating workouts, you'll have the opportunity to interact with others about your progress, your setbacks, and your difficulties -- you can even offer each other suggestions through the use of a Body+Soul Challenge Blog.

Starting Points with Dr. Brent Ridge
Each week, Dr. Brent Ridge will offer a small thing you can do to start your path toward becoming healthier. It's all about starting points and information you need to be aware of in order to be successful.

Blood Pressure
The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sexual dysfunction, and kidney disease. You are considered hypertensive if your blood pressure is 140 or higher on the top or 90 or higher on the bottom.

Cholesterol Level
Total cholesterol level is ideally less than 200. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is the main carrier of harmful cholesterol in your body. The higher your LDL, the higher your risk for heart disease. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered the "good" cholesterol because it actually helps sweep cholesterol out of the blood stream.

Blood Glucose Level
Diabetes affects 1 in 17 million Americans and it is one of the most destructive diseases your body can endure. Every time your doctor checks your basic electrolyte level, she gets a glucose reading. Normal is a range of 70 to 115. If you are higher than that, you may be at risk for developing diabetes.

Body Mass Index
The ideal BMI score is 19 to 25. If yours is greater than 25, you are considered overweight; if yours is greater than 30, you are obese.

Target Heart Rate
Before you start an exercise program, you need to know your target heart rate. Once you've figured it out, you should try to sustain your heart rate in the target zone for at least 20 minutes during every cardio workout in order to get the maximum benefits from your regimen. If you have risk factors for heart disease, you should talk to your doctor first before starting an exercise program.

Example of a Grade-A Lunch
Alanna Fincke, the editor in chief of Body+Soul, is a working mother of two and can sometimes get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. The food we eat is important in determining how we feel, so Alanna is taking this challenge along with the viewers. She is focusing on the foods to eat, particularly what she's eating for lunch and how she can improve her dieting habits.

A grade-A lunch includes: a bowl of lentil soup; a small salad made with baby spinach, carrots, tomato, avocado, walnuts, olives, balsamic vinaigrette dressing (made with olive oil); a piece of dark, whole-grain bread; and an orange.

The lentils, avocado, and walnuts provide protein. Avocado, walnuts, olives, and dressing all provide the "good" monounsaturated fat. Walnuts are a great source of omegas-3s. The spinach, carrots, and tomato provide vital vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and healthy carbs. The whole-grain bread and lentils provide fiber and healthy carbs. The orange provides vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.

Total calories: 560 (soup: 130, salad: 250, bread: 120, orange: 60)