Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy, believe me. But it’s so much easier when you enjoy the things that make you healthy.

When most people think of leading a healthy lifestyle, they automatically think of the gym. This isn’t false, but for some, this is harder than you think.

When I first started going to the gym, I felt so embarrassed and clueless. Walking into an environment full of people who look great and know what they’re doing is very intimidating.

A gym is a place of improvement, it’s not a place where people go to judge others. It’s where you go to get better. Everyone there is trying to get better in some way. Be confident and go into your fitness journey open-minded.

I began my fitness journey a little over a year ago. I call it a journey because it’s a long, uphill battle. It’s not easy and you’re not going to see results right away. Stick with it and results will come with time, but you have to work hard for what you want. The best things in life don’t come easy.

Going to the gym has boosted my self-confidence in ways that no one will ever know. Going to the gym has also made my body stronger and healthier. I’m never fatigue, nor do I run out of energy easily. Being active makes you feel better.

Going to the gym also relives a ton of stress. Focusing all of your bad energy on something that positively effects your life is always a good thing. A good way to clear your mind is to go to the gym and get a good work out in.

My stress levels are so low because at the end of each day I release all stress while working out.

The next thing people think of is diets. This is something that I have not mastered. I love food so much and I think it's unhealthy to take nutrition away from the body. But at the same time eating healthy is so important for a healthy body.

Cutting out unnecessary fats (sweets, pop, greasy foods, fast food, etc.) can really change your diet and the results you get. Some people are stricter than others when it comes to diets, but it all depends on what you’re wanting out of the diet.

Do you want to gain muscle? Lose weight? Tone? A diet all depends on what you want the outcome to be.

Pinterest is full of healthy food options and recipes. Make small diet goals and achieve them one at a time. For example, if you can’t cut out late-night snacks, then change your late-night snack to something healthy.

Be smart, don’t starve yourself and strive to be better every day. You’re going to mess up but that’s okay. Stay strong and eat those veggies. Even though it’s extremely hard, don’t eat an entire package of Oreos in one sitting — do as I say, not as I do.

Do what is necessary to make yourself happy and healthy. Go to the gym, take your dog for an extra-long walk, change your diet, do anything that will help your physical and mental health.

At the end of the day, it only matters if you’re happy about yourself and your health, no one else’s opinion matters but your own.