When we realize it's time to do something about our fitness, we surprisingly tell ourselves things like, "There's no point starting now," or "I might as well start fresh in the new year." The interest is there, but not the motivation or readiness.

Changing your lifestyle for the better, whether it's bulking up or slimming down, is much easier said than done. Many people's issue with "dieting" is that it's seen as a temporary solution to their body issues. A diet should be considered a lifestyle adjustment that you plan to maintain after you've hit your goal weight.

Are you ready to make a change in your life? If you follow these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to making the healthy lifestyle changes your body needs.

Hydrate

Water is extremely beneficial to the body because it aids in the removal of toxins, improves mood and memory, aids digestion, aids weight loss, helps anxiety management, and also aids in the prevention of constipation. Not bad, huh? It's important to drink at least 2 liters of water a day, and even more if you're exercising. Water can also help your workout routine be more successful, so keep a bottle with you at all times. If you have trouble keeping track of how much water you've consumed in a day, motivational water bottles with timers and targets will help you stay hydrated.

Get moving

Many people just consider their exercise routine to be how much time they spend in the gym or how quickly they run in a 10k. However, anything that raises your heart rate and causes you to become short of breath is considered exercise! Here are some great tips to help you start working out again if you’re struggling to get motivation.

If you don't have time to go to the gym for a few days, you could do your housework while dancing around. Not only does it provide exercise, but it can also turn mundane tasks into a lot of fun! When ironing or on the phone with a loved one, do squats and stretches. Learn some exercises that you can do from the comfort of your office chair. At any opportunity, get yourself moving. If you have a Fitbit, you can track how many steps you take each day.

Eat slowly, little, and often

One of the most common mistakes we make is believing that we must eat three meals a day at specific times. This is completely false! Your body will need fuel at certain times in the day, and that’s when you should eat. However, rather than consuming a daily meal like you are used to, you can consume much smaller meals more often than you normally would. Smaller portions of food are easier for your body to digest, and consuming little and often prevents food from turning into fat on your body. Great for those looking to lose weight or gain muscle!

Finally, learning to love yourself is an important part of changing your lifestyle and improving your mental health! Although it's admirable that you want to make a healthier lifestyle change, note that you're amazing regardless of how you look or how the media portrays you to be. You can do it!