Keeping Track of Your Health and Fitness

It is hard to fall off the fitness and health wagon when you don't write it down. I find that I eat better and am more likely to work out when I have to jot it down. Why? This is because I physically see all the things I eat that day and I am more likely to want to write something healthy down so I eat a lot healthier. Read more for some tips on how to create a "Health and Fitness Journal".

What you need:

• notebook or journal
• pens (in different colors)
• printer (optional)
• separate piece of paper
• positive and happy mindset!

First, jot down what you want in your journal. I wanted it to be a place where I can write what I eat, my workouts, etc. Remember that this is your journal. Write what you want! Here are some things I had in my journal.

First few pages: Notes on sections in my journal and what it will have in each section. Monthly, weekly, daily, weekly wrap up, and monthly wrap up.

Monthly: measurements (weight, body fat %, etc), recorded goals (like pushups and mile time, goals (workout, nutrition, mind/spirit, other), my motivation (what is driving me to keep going this month), reward and consequences when I stick or do not stick to my goals. I also have a calendar to jot down what workouts I am going to do that month. Below is a picture of what my monthly part of my journal looks like. 

Weekly: Every Monday, I have an added section on what goal I have for the week.

Daily: food log, workout log, hours slept, water drank, journal and notes section, and the best part of my day

Weekly Wrap Up Checklist: did I eat well and workout? did I miss more than 2 days of working out? What did I learn about health and fitness this week? What went well this week? What didn't?

Monthly Wrap Up: Take stats again, did I accomplish my goal, do I get the reward? Reflect and start again!

These are what I have in my journal and you can obviously add your own twist to your journal. When I write what I eat, I do just that. No calories. I rate how I feel about that meal. I do this because I don't believe that calories is a good reflection on health. I eat when I am hungry and until I am content, not when I am stuffed. Remember, changes do not happen overnight. Stay persistent and have attainable goals!

What have you added in your health journal? Have you ever kept track of your food and workouts? 

This post is written by Karel.
Adapted from: personal experience
all pictures are owned by livingtowardslove