Many people have that summer goal to lose weight and trust me, that's my goal too before I go to the beach in July, but there are a lot of things people should be focusing on while on their summer weight loss journey.

A lot of people get really consumed with the idea of losing weight and having this specific body they want, which I find great, but during that process, some people do forget who they are during that process. It's important to be healthy and be the body and shape you want, but you can't lose track of what your goal is. Is your goal simply to lose weight, or do you want to lose weight and better yourself during it?

I think what comes a lot with a weight loss journey is the comparison of others. That's what gets really complicated and how people forget who they are. While you are looking at the people you want to look at, you have to also remember that their body isn't the only thing about them! They might be the rudest person you have ever met, or they don't have a drive for a good future, or they just aren't happy with themselves. When you are on this journey and trying to find body inspiration, that's all you can focus on. You can't focus on them as a person, because their weight doesn't define who they are!

While you work out, think about what you can change about yourself to make you a better YOU. I'm not saying change yourself because people love who you are and you should too! But everyone has their flaws that can be worked on. Like, for me, I wish I took more initiative doing chores around the house. So maybe while I'm running I can think of ways that will make me want to help my family around the house.

I also suggest making a playlist that makes you happy. It doesn't necessarily have to be pump-up workout music, but just songs that can put a smile on your face. That helps keep you happy and makes you want to stay happy. That's what I started doing instead of listening to workout music because I feel like when I would listen to workout music I was always feeling the pressure of needing to lose weight, but I would listen to songs that make me happy it would remind me that I'm perfect the way I am I just want to lose weight for myself.

Don't ever lose weight for someone else. That is not what you need to do. If you want to lose weight that is so amazing! But make sure you are doing it for yourself and not anyone else. It's not fair to you and can put a total strain on your mental health if you think you have to lose weight for someone or because guys or girls will want to date you or be your friend. Losing weight should only be for you, never forget that.

Also, when you see all the same bodies on Instagram, don't think that you have to have that type of body. Every body type is different. People lose weight faster than others, some people can work out longer than others, some people have a higher metabolism than others. These are all things that are a factor when it comes to working out. I will never have the body my sister has, I never have and I never will. My body was built way differently than hers. I can lose weight and be skinny, but I'm just shaped differently and that's okay! Use images from Instagram as inspiration, but not as motivation or a comparison. Get to where YOU want to be, not where society thinks you should be!