Need a good summer project? Let's learn to eat healthy! The school year seemed like it might go on forever, but exams are finally finished, snow days are made up, classes are selected for next year, and summer plans are being made. Along with all the plans for summer fun, think about making a commitment to your health! You're never too young to adopt good-health habits. Even if weight loss isn't your main goal, getting and staying healthy can be!

Living a healthy lifestyle and learning to eat healthy is easier than you might think! It doesn't cost extra money and it doesn't require expensive equipment. You can make a commitment today to spend the next two and a half months becoming a healthier you!

You can return to school in September looking and feeling better and knowing that you made a lasting change in your life that will continue to reap rewards long after the season has faded. What better way to spend the next few months? There are numerous lifestyle changes that encourage you to eat healthy. We're going to discuss four of them now.

The first step isn't mandatory but it makes the project more fun. To begin this project, try recruiting a friend. Everything is more fun with a support group. If there is no one available, make it your own personal quest to eat healthy and surprise everyone when you go back to school!

Next, start keeping a journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancier than a few sheets of notebook paper. This step is especially important if you're interested in losing weight. Record your weight and measurements if you have a scale and tape measure handy. If not, try on a clothing item that you know is too small.

Include this information in your journal along with how you feel about the journey you're about to begin. Create some simple goals. Start small and make them short-term. Don't think, "I'll lose 10 pounds this summer." That's too broad in your quest to eat healthy.

Instead think, "I won't eat between meals this week," or "I'll add vegetables to my diet twice a day." Record everything that you eat and every bit of activity you perform in your journal.

Record the way you feel about the process, paying special attention to those times when you're tempted to eat "recreationally." What is driving that need? What else can you do in place of eating? The journal is a valuable tool for changing lifestyle habits.

The third step we'll discuss is to make it a point to learn about the food pyramid. This information can easily be found online. Learn the major food groups and the recommended daily servings for each.

Learn how to read a nutrition fact label to help you make wise choices. Make notes in your journal so that you won't forget this information. Refer to it often.

The final step in our effort to eat healthy is to commit to one hour of daily activity. If you don't care for exercise, think of it at "play time." Do fun things.

It doesn't really matter what you do, as long as you keep moving. Change it up. Walk or jog sometimes but don't forget to ride your bike and swim laps too. Do push ups and crunches but don't forget that you can check out really great exercise DVDs from your local library or video store. Add some Pilates or yoga.

Do some strength training by using household items such as canned goods. Earn extra money by walking all the neighborhood dogs or cutting the neighbor's yards. There's no reason why you can't "kill two birds with one stone."

Educate yourself this summer and enjoy lasting benefits! Complete these four easy lifestyle changes to help you eat healthy and be amazed at how well you feel and look when you return to school in the fall. Enjoy the summer!