If you want to lose weight or are just interested in getting in shape, an exercise journal can be the key to success.
Like a personal journal, a journal is the only place where you can share all of your dreams and goals, and at the same time create a plan to make those aspirations a real part of your life.
I’m sure by now you know that to lose weight you need to burn more calories than you consume. Keeping a physical activity journal can be a fun way to assess your current exercise and eating habits and formulate a strategy to cut calories while increasing your physical activity.
Start your exercise diary by recording your current weight and measurements, if you like, you can even add a current photo of yourself. This is your starting point, so be sure to take the time to complete this important step. Months from now, when your body is changing, you will be able to look back and see how much you have accomplished. Once this foundation is established, it will provide you with the motivation you need to keep going.
Motivation or lack thereof can be the driving force behind your exercise program or the biggest obstacle in your weight loss efforts. As a personal trainer specializing in women’s fitness, I have found that women who keep a fitness journal have a much higher chance of success than those who do not.
You see that an exercise journal holds you accountable for your weight loss plan. Once you’ve established your starting point and written down your goals, you’ll want to take time each day to record everything you eat and drink. That means everything. You may even be surprised when you realize how much food you eat.
Once you begin to come face to face with your food consumption, you will be able to determine which foods to keep in your diet and which foods you need to replace with healthier substitutes. There is a certain connection that your brain will make when you put your pen on paper and take responsibility for your own health. It is easy to fool yourself into thinking that you are eating a somewhat healthy diet when you keep these thoughts locked in your mind.
In addition to recording your eating habits, you will want to write down your daily physical activities. Do you exercise regularly? For optimal women’s health, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for 6 days a week. You can use your journal to determine your fitness level and gradually increase it for best results.
Challenge your fitness training by setting goals each week. For example, you can set a goal to add more weight to your exercise program or take longer walks, swim more laps, take a spin class, or learn to play tennis. The secret is to write down anything and everything that will keep you motivated to exercise regularly and eat healthy.
You can get the body you want, all you need is a desire to succeed followed by a commitment to carry it out. But the good thing is, you don’t have to do it yourself. Faithfully keeping your fitness journal will keep you focused on your goals and give you the motivation you need to excel.