Fitness Journals Are The Key To Success

Fitness is not just the physical activity that we do. Fitness is what we eat and drink and the way we live. Most of us, myself included, need to monitor and course correct our lifestyle on a daily base to stay on track to achieve the desired results we work for. By keeping a daily fitness log, you will see consistent improvement and positive movement toward your goals.

I am going be to focusing on the physical activity portion of the fitness log; but remember, your diet is a vital part of your personal fitness and needs to be logged as well.

The main purpose of the fitness log is to keep a record of your progress. “…everyone that starts a training program should have a training diary…”. (Arnold Schwarzenegger, The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding). One of the first things you need to do is to take pictures of yourself. Measurements are also very important for both men and women. Measure your biceps, waist, thighs, chest, and of course your weight needs to be logged as well. Remember a fitness log provides visual feedback that reinforces the fact that your hard work is paying off. Let’s face it, metabolic cardio work outs are hard! Imagine how pumped you will be when you look at your measurements from the beginning of your training program and can see the inches not only come off, but firming up as well. Having the numbers to look back on, you will be able to push yourself to reach the goals that you have set.

Use the log as a way to set goals for yourself. Remember to set small reachable goals that lead to larger reachable goals. Say your goal is to be able to complete the whole N-Motion Fitness 1 hour basic work out without a break (something that is a lot easier said than done!) So set a goal of making it through the first 3 minute round without resting and build from there. If you are keeping a daily log you will be able to look back and see the progress that you have made. “Humans work best when given the right kind of feedback. Knowing you accomplished something is one thing seeing it is another.” (Arnold Schwarzenegger, The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding). Keeping a fitness log makes your progress real, you become excited about the strides you have made and are more likely to continue with your routine.

To see progress you must be constant. Keeping a daily fitness log is one way to ensure success. To be constant you must have a plan. Plan the time and days you will be working out. Keep a track of the days you were able to keep to your plan as well as the days you did not. Log how you felt about your workout, did you feel you worked out well, was there a part of your workout that you felt you could improve? Log all of this information. By looking back on what you log you not only will stay on track but you will be able to modify your plan to make sure you will be successful in reaching your desired goal. Remember you can always change and tailor your goals as you go.

“Explores use maps, sea captains rely on charts, astronauts navigate by stars, and body builders keep track of where they are and where they are going by keeping a training diary.” (Arnold Schwarzenegger, The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding). Make a fitness plan, with attainable goals, and keep track of it all with a fitness log and you will be on your way to a lifestyle of fitness and health.

By: Jason Moss

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