Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
In just a year, you can transform your life. Changing your look will take some time, and you must be diligent about following your routines. If you’re serious about experiencing a full-body glow-up, learning how to transform yourself physically shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Small changes you make throughout the year can add up to something big, which will allow you to become a different person physically.
Much of your body composition is determined by what you eat. If you’re trying to lose weight, cutting sweets out of your diet will help. Similarly, if you want to build muscle, you have to include high-quality protein in your diet. Make sure to cook your food, so you know everything that goes into it from the beginning. Planning meals ahead of time might take time, but it’ll be worth it to know exactly what’s going into your body.
Try to eat a healthy amount of vegetables, whole grains and protein at every meal. The majority of your plate should contain vegetables and fruits, which will help you stay healthy. Just remember that the quality of your food is more important than the quantity — how much you eat doesn’t matter as much as the nutritional value.
If one of your goals is to look youthful, you must build a skincare routine and follow it throughout the year. What products you’ll need depend solely on what you want to achieve, but you should always include moisturizer and sunscreen in your plans. Moisturizers can protect and repair your skin when used regularly. Sunscreen can protect you from the harsh UV rays of the sun, which can age you prematurely and even cause skin cancer.
Learning about new exercises is the best way to learn how to transform your body physically. Whether you want to lose weight, gain weight or build muscle, you’ll likely need to be in the gym or participating in some sort of activity throughout the year. Plan out what part of your body you’ll work out on certain days, but make sure to leave a day for rest so your muscles can repair themselves.
Even if the shape you want doesn’t require exercise, you can still benefit from extra movement. Exercising regularly can prevent certain types of cancers and chronic illnesses, and it can also improve your mental health. Remember not to push yourself too far out of your comfort zone.
Another way to transform yourself physically is to refresh your wardrobe. Pick clothing items that fit your body type well and make you feel confident. You don’t have to replace your wardrobe all at once, especially if you plan to alter your weight in some way. Research your options before impulsively buying them.
Also, pay attention to your hair. How you style your hair can say a lot about you, and you should keep your hair neat if you want people to take you seriously. You may want to invest in a silk or satin pillowcase, which can minimize breakage and keep your hair and skin feeling hydrated and soft. Paying attention to the small things will pay off after a year of following them.
Lastly, stay hydrated. You may think you’re hungry or feel pain for no reason when you’re actually just thirsty. Figure out how much water you need each day and strive to meet that goal whenever possible. Drinking the right amount of water can help regulate your metabolism and potentially help you lose weight. You can add flavoring to your glass, but the end goal should be to drink pure, clear water.
Teaching yourself how to transform yourself physically doesn’t have to be complicated. Like any goal, you should make sure you can actually achieve what you want in a year. Once you’ve set your goals, work to transform yourself however you can. Showing special attention to your skin, wardrobe and hair can make you feel confident at any size.
If you plan to alter your body composition, make sure you’re doing it in a safe and healthy way and for the right reasons. You should only transform yourself because you want to change, not because others want you to. The people who love you will continue to love you, no matter what you look like after your year of transformation.
