They say that the only way to really be fit and live a healthy lifestyle is to form positive, life-changing habits before even thinking about setting foot in a gym. On a personal level, what I found to be most effective was setting little goals for myself and forming little habits before I overloaded myself with the pressure of the gym. How was I going to dedicate myself to the gym when I didn’t even have control over my eating and sleeping habits?

Full disclosure: I’m not perfect. I have cheat meals and I skip going to the gym sometimes. I’m a student who works almost 40 hours a week, takes a full course load, and whose focus for the past few months was entirely on studying for the LSAT and getting into law school (which, by the way, I did).

However, even the busiest of people can manage to make the minor—but very necessary—changes to ensure they lead a healthy lifestyle. According to The State of Obesity, an organization in that works in conjunction with the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, only 14.5 percent of Americans aged 18 to 25 in the state of Massachusetts are obese.

While the battle against obesity is long and hard fought, getting control of eating and fitness habits can help prepare for a long and healthy life. But first, let’s start with the simplest habit of them all: setting a goal.

First and foremost, you need to set goals for yourself or else you’ll never stick to your fitness plan. Setting an easy and attainable goal keeps you not only focused on your fitness journey, but also makes it fun.

Setting a goal can be as simple as “go to the gym three times a week,” or “eat an apple every day,” to something as complex and demanding as “be able to squat 200 pounds.”

Humans are inherently prideful, so that little burst of pride you get when you finally reach a goal, no matter how small it may be, will be just enough to keep you on track, even when you feel like giving up the most, and there will be quite a few of those moments.

The truth about being fit, as cold and hard as a barbell, is that it takes work—a lot of work. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are healthy habits.

It’s important to always keep your goal in mind and to never lose sight of the reason why you began your journey in the first place. However, it’s also important to remember that this mindset, this mental focus, shouldn’t consume your whole life.

Allow yourself to have that piece of cake, but also push yourself to not only reach, but surpass, your fitness goals. Don’t hold yourself back from anything, but keep everything in moderation. As convoluted and contradictory as it may sound, this one little piece of advice should be by your side, especially when you need it the most.

Keep your chin up and continue to push yourself.

Good luck on your fitness journey!