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If you have a goal of losing weight and living a more active lifestyle, it is important both to take control of your diet and create an exercise plan that works for you.

What does a healthy diet look like and how does that translate to weight loss?

Fad diets come and go, and while they may initially help with weight loss, they won’t always help you keep the weight off. That’s why it’s important to go deeper and shift your focus to changing your eating habits.

A healthy diet includes eating a variety of natural, unprocessed foods throughout the day. Try to avoid pre-packaged meals and snacks or eat them sparingly. Fruits and vegetables are crucial and should be prioritized over animal-based options. Also, be sure to incorporate food with “healthy fats” such as nuts, fish, or olive oil, and avoid binge eating.

You don’t have to starve to stay healthy though. If you’re hungry throughout the day, there are a lot of delicious snacks that can help with weight loss. Almonds or pistachios are full of nutrients and healthy fat, string cheese with a cut apple, Greek yogurt, or a banana with peanut butter are all good snacking options.

Create a diet that includes foods that you enjoy eating. Buying health-conscious foods that you don’t like or lack in taste is a waste and will keep you craving food that isn’t good for you.

What kind of exercise should you do?

Along with a healthy eating plan, establishing an exercise routine that you’ll stick to is key. The first step is finding a type of exercise or activity that you enjoy. Maybe it’s getting a recommendation for a local yoga studio, biking around your neighborhood, hiring a personal trainer, or finding regular time to walk around the Buffalo Bayou with a friend.

Start small with a few minutes of exercise at a time —get your body used to being active — and work up to at least half an hour most days. This will help you reap the biggest benefits from exercise. If you have specific medical conditions, be sure to talk to your doctor about which forms of activities are safe for you.