How Michelle Bridges is staying fit and healthy this summer.

It goes without saying that Michelle Bridges knows a thing or two about living a healthy life.

As a personal trainer, Biggest Loser coach and founder of the 12 Week Body Transformation program, she’s made a living from helping Aussies embrace habits that are good for their body and soul. And that’s not always as intimidating as it sounds.

Here, Bridges shares some simple, not-at-all-scary habits and techniques we can all embrace, regardless of fitness level or ability, to make our lives just that little healthier.

What’s one habit everyone can incorporate into their daily life that’ll benefit their health?

“Getting a litre of water in in the morning. I get up and the first thing I do is fill my water bottle up, and then while I’m busy making the bed - which is a habit my partner would say is one thing you should do every morning, it sets you up for the day - and doing all of that I’m just sipping away. By the time breakfast is over I’ve consumed a litre of water. I think that’s a really great habit to get into, particularly at this time of year and if you’re someone who forgets to drink throughout the day."

"Where exercise is concerned, the right time is never going to fall into your lap. So you need to figure out, in your lifestyle this week, where you can squeeze some in. Even if it means only 10-15 mins, it’s better than nothing."

Listen: Mia Freedman chats to Michelle Bridges on the No Filter podcast. (Post continues after audio.)

Exercise is obviously good for us, but the thought of doing so in the summer heat can be daunting. What do you recommend?

“Straight up: swimming, outdoors or indoors. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your kids can swim safely - Axel’s been in swimming lessons since he was about eight months old, and we’ve spent a lot of time this summer in the water. His confidence because of those lessons has been fantastic.

“Otherwise, if it’s been a really hot day and we still want to go for a walk, we’ll wait until we’ve had dinner and the sun’s down a bit more. It’s a really nice way to finish the day, walk your dinner off and take the dog for a walk, without having to handle the excessive heat. You don't necessarily have to go to a gym.” (Post continues after gallery.)

As the mum of a young child, what are some of the tricks you use to squeeze in exercise?

“You’ve just got to get it in anytime, anyhow, anywhere. Often I’ve taken Paddy, our dog, with us when I walk to the park. Once we get there I’m throwing the frisbee for Paddy, [my son] Axel’s in the pram laughing his head off, I’ll bash out a couple of squats and lunges and step-ups while I’m there - you’ve just got to get it in when you can, you've got to keep yourself moving.

“If you've got a baby, I get it. But you can sometimes incorporate them into the workout too. I've put put Axel in his baby carrier and hit the stairs a couple of times, that’s always tough - but he loves it, he gets a free ride! Incorporating your children or your pet into your activitiy is a nice way to make it feel like it's not a really formal training session.”

Yep. It's a ball. Nope, it ain't gonna throw itself....???????????????????????????????????? #simplethings

A photo posted by Michelle Bridges (@mishbridges) on Jan 28, 2017 at 7:25pm PST

What are your go-to healthy and easy meals at the moment?

"Mornings, at the moment I’m doing a lot of green smoothies because they’re nice and cold and refreshing. I even do one that Axels’s been having a little bit of, he loves it. For lunches, I’m just doing a lot of wraps. I’ll just put in whatever we’ve got in the fridge, lots of salad, maybe some chicken that I cooked up the night before, a little bit of mustard for a bit of zing.

"Then at dinner time I’ve recently been doing some fish on the BBQ. I did a baked fish in the oven the other day. Strangely enough, I managed on the weekend to cook a roast - I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but we let it cool the next day and we've been using it for lunches and so forth, mixing it with other things. I know that sounds crazy for summer, but it’s been really handy just having it in the fridge."