There is a significant difference between purchasing a gym membership and using it on a consistent basis. Keeping an exercise journal is one way to make your routines more consistent and efficient.
Consider the advantages of recording your time on the treadmill.
Benefits of Maintaining an Exercise Journal
1. Raise awareness. Writing in a diary promotes mindfulness. You will know exactly how many times you went to the gym last week. At the same time, now that you’ve documented the important information, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the remainder of your day.
2. Clarify goals. If you’re secretly attempting to transform yourself into a Superwoman, you may miss out on the enjoyment of fitness. Aiming for sensible goals, such as losing 2 inches from your waistline, can give you more reasons to celebrate.
3. Hold yourself accountable. If you know your diary will serve as permanent proof of your ab workout, you’re less likely to skip it. You’d rather do the sit-ups than keep thinking about them.
4. Recover from lapses. However, holidays and weddings may derail even the best-laid plans. Taking a long-term perspective will teach you how to recover from a few frantic days.
5. Collect data. Consider running a firm in which you fail to keep records of your customers or finances. Data is just as important when figuring out how to run a faster mile.
6. Manage medical conditions. An exercise journal can be especially helpful if you have a chronic disease. Lifestyle changes may alleviate the symptoms of diabetes or arthritis.
Looking for an exercise Journal: Training for a Healthy Life: A Daily Food and Fitness Journal
How to keep an exercise journal
1. Design your format. If you are a tech, arrange your data using a mobile app on your phone. If you prefer pen and paper, choose a journal with a beautiful cover.
2. Define the scope. You may choose to track only the essentials or construct a more thorough picture. At the very least, try to record the duration and intensity of your workout.
3. Examine your sensations. Many women find it useful to understand how emotions influence their fitness goals. It’s inspiring to watch how a mere hour of riding can improve your mood. On the other hand, if you leave a CrossFit session feeling exhausted, this could be an indication of overtraining.
4. Include visuals and quotes. Pictures and inspirational quotes may provide an added boost. Looking at your children’s looks may inspire you to pass down healthy behaviors. A line from your favorite music might make you want to dance.
5. Schedule updates. Most studies show that workout journals are more effective if you write in them every day. Recording your performance in the moment also improves accuracy. Experiment with a system that works for you. This could include bringing your notepad to the gym or filling it up before bed.
6. Vary your routine. Our body adapts to any familiar movement, so walking a mile will quickly become easier than it once was. If you wish to advance, you must increase the difficulty level. Many experts recommend a 10% weekly increase in weight, intensity, or distance as a healthy guideline.
7. Review your records. Use your journal to reflect on where you’ve come. Perhaps you’ve progressed from 5 to 15 pushups over the course of a year.
8. Consult others. Keep your journal for your eyes only, or share it with your healthcare team. When your physician or personal trainer knows more about you, they will be able to make more specific recommendations.
Tracking Your Exercise Progress!
Create a workout plan on scrap paper or a custom-designed template.
In either case, keeping an activity notebook to track your progress will increase your chances of meeting your fitness goals.
