Here’s a little task for you, I want you to try something.

When you get home tonight, I want you to do an audit of your body. Take a few moments to assess where you’re currently at physically by stripping down and really looking at the reflection you see in the mirror.

Stand neutrally, don’t suck in your belly, don’t alter your posture, just be natural and observe.

This shouldn’t be a negative experience, so get rid of your head trash. Be analytical in your observations and make note of the things you do like about your body too — there should be things you like! And no comparing yourself to anyone else, this is not about them, this is about you.

Now you’ve really looked at yourself, I want you to do some visualisation.

Do you have some belly fat? Do you look bloated? Think back five to ten years ago, did you have belly fat then? What things in your life have contributed to your current state?

Now think forwards. If you carry on leading your current lifestyle, how will this impact the weight you are carrying and your body shape over the next ten years? 20 years? Visualise it. And what health implications will this have for you? You’re smart, don’t kid yourself that you don’t know about the health dangers of carrying too much excess body fat.

So maybe body fat isn’t the problem. What about your posture? And your muscle tone? Look at how you stand, do you have rounded, hunched shoulders? Feel your muscles, give them a squeeze, do they feel firm or soft?

Again, think back to what you have done over the last five to ten years to bring you to this point, and now think forwards ten to 20 years and how things may turn out if you continue in the same way. What does that look like? Will you be even more hunched over, will you have joint pain, or suffer from fractured bones because your muscles aren’t supple enough to support you? Will you be as mobile as you’d like? The image you see, is it one that you’re happy with?

I know this isn’t exactly the most comfortable exercise to do, but I think it’s an important reality check that we all often need. The truth is, the reflection you see in the mirror right now is the best prediction of how your future self will look and feel if you carry on living as you do.

So if you don’t like the image you’ve pictured in the future, you must take action to change, and not tomorrow, but TODAY!

Too much belly fat, bad posture and weak muscles are just a handful of the reasons to start exercising and adopting healthier nutrition habits.

So is it time you finally changed the direction you’re heading?

I know it can be a daunting task and you perhaps aren’t sure where to start or what to do. That’s why I recommend enlisting the help of a qualified trainer to coach, motivate and keep you accountable. Or partner up with some fit friends, learn from them and you’ll soon see their healthy habits rub off on you.

Don’t be frustrated or feel defeated if you’re not currently where you want to be with your physical health and fitness. We’re all a work in progress to some degree and we all have to start somewhere, those first few steps are always the hardest part. Your future self can look very different if you want it to, you just need to believe it, commit to change and take action. The image looking back can be whatever you want it to be.

•Becky Wright is a qualified personal trainer, nutritional therapist and international bikini fitness champion. She has worked with clients worldwide, including royalty. Becky works at Alchemy Fitness. Contact: becky@alchemy.bm