When summer starts, so do the weight loss ads. Products, programs, gyms, and anything else that can profit off of the "beach body" idea begin to promote and push out marketing like there's no tomorrow. It can honestly be quite daunting to someone interested in or thinking about starting a health or weight loss journey.

As someone who is currently in the process of trying to get healthier and lose weight, I feel qualified to make one statement:

Trying to lose weight in the summer is really, freaking hard.

There is a lot of information out there, a lot of gyms and workouts to try, and so much information about what's the "perfect" calorie goal and about just how "bad" carbs are and how low fat automatically is the way to go. Getting healthy during the summer is possible, and everyone has to start somewhere. Hopefully these tips can help you get the push you need.

This is a process, and is going to take time. Stay positive and work on what is best for you, not what is best for anyone else. Sustainability is key, not just shredding 10 pounds and going back to the way things were before.

You got this!

***I am not a doctor or nutritionist in any way, these are purely from personal experience***

Find a program that works for YOU

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There is no "perfect program." Weight, height, sex, and activity level are all just some of the factors that will determine how you lose weight and what you need to do to lose it. There are a lot of programs and diets out there, but to successfully start a healthier lifestyle you have to find something that works for you. Personally, I prefer calorie counting and flexible dieting. I track the calories of what I eat, whether that be a salad or half a brownie, and I have a caloric goal to stay under for the day. This may not work for other people, so they turn to things like Weight Watchers, ketogenic or other diets, or sometimes going to a nutritionist can be the best way to start.

Get active

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Just like eating, there isn't a "perfect" exercise routine. Theoretically, as long as you're in a caloric deficit you will lose fat. However, to be overall more healthy and see better and faster results, adding exercise into your weekly routine is the way to go. Maybe that means just going on a walk every day, or maybe that feels going full-force at the gym. As long as you make the effort to get out and do something new, you're making a positive change. If you're doing something you enjoy, you're more likely to stick with it and make it a habit.

Don't be afraid to indulge a little

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Summer is a time for parties and get-togethers of all kinds, and that's okay! You should go and enjoy yourself, but being aware of what you're eating is the key. You can enjoy a burger or some pizza, but you don't need four servings. Have a scoop of ice cream, not five. You can still have the yummy foods without overeating or binging on them, and that's going to be much more sustainable in the long run. If you restrict, the likelihood of a binge increases, so don't be afraid to treat yourself.

Stay Positive

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This journey you're about to start on is a life style change, it isn't a crash diet (or it shouldn't be). There will be set-backs or challenges, and that's okay. If you binge or overeat or skip the gym, that is okay. Just get back up on your feet and keep pushing. You can succeed and meet your goals even if there are bumps in the road. Instead of focusing on a mistake, focus on the growth that can come from it.

Take baby steps

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This is a process. You can't expect major change over night, and you shouldn't push yourself to see that. If jumping all in to a program isn't sustainable for you, then make small changes to your daily habits that you can build off of. If you don't feel comfortable going to the gym right away, try doing at-home workouts or going on walks. If you try and cut things cold turkey or do a complete 180, you're not going to healthily adapt to the change and you won't sustain what could be really good for you.