Life today is fast-paced, particularly when you want it all. But how can you stay fit and healthy when there's so much to do? Caitlin Reid, dietitian and author of Health & the City, shows you how to become flat out and fabulous.

While there's no doubt that following a healthy lifestyle can help you in years to come, many of us forget about how it can benefit us right now. Being fit and healthy can change your frame of mind, push you to achieve your goals, give you the energy to do whatever you want when you want and enable you to simply be your best. And the good news is, it doesn't take as much effort as you think. By making these small changes to your lifestyle, you can get a whole lot more out of life.

1. Forget perfectionism: Striving for perfectionism sets us up for a fall, particularly when things don't go our way. Succumbing to the negative thoughts that persist after an unfavourable event discourages us and reduces our desire for future success. That is however, unless you learn from the slip-up and use it as a vital step on your journey towards success. Remember, persistence is the key.

2. Nourish yourself from the inside out: The foods and drinks you put into your mouth affect not only your weight, but your appearance as a whole. Make sure you're getting plenty of wholefoods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, lean meats, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy products and legumes, as they contain essential nutrients that will keep you looking and functioning at your best.

3. Become Fit2Date: Put a new spin on your old workout sessions, by signing up to Fit2Date - the exercise session where fit singles train with other fit singles. It's the perfect way to multi-task; workout so you're looking and feeling great, while at the same time meeting new friends, and potentially a partner.

4. Make a Friday list: Instead of spending all your weekend running errands or doing housework, complete your chores during the week. Make a "Friday list" of all the tasks you want done by Friday. Monday could be for cleaning and Tuesday for washing, while Wednesday lunch could be for appointments. That way you can relax on weekends.

5. Be happy now: Forget about waiting for that miraculous event to happen that will finally make you happy. By waiting for problems to resolve, you may never be happy. When one problem ends, another one starts and happiness becomes elusive. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so live it for today. Be happy with what you have right now, because tomorrow is another day.