steps

Make a measurable goal that is in the near future like 1 month or 2 from now to lose or gain weight (not more than about 5-8 pounds difference per month) or more centered around activity than weight, like walk 3 times per week at 30 minutes per time for the first month (then plan to add more each month).

Figure out your current maintenance calories.

Figure out whether you need to lose weight, gain weight or body recomposition. (Subtract calories to lose weight, add calories to gain weight or stay around maintenance calories to body recomp).

Take regular body measurements and body weight (you do not need to analyze it every time, but taking them regularly for data points or to see which way you are going over time on a graph).

Track your food and your exercise so you can analyze and make changes over time.

Recommended to eat whole foods and keep in mind macros. Recommend about 1 g protein per pound of weight (if you lift weights as exercise, this figure could be more) and same for carbohydrates (if you actively do cardio above walking, this figure can be more).

Recommend about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or more (or have a plan to work your way up to 150 minutes).