Why would you want to document your fitness journey? There are a lot of reasons. First, when you track or document your journey, you’ll be able to see what works and what doesn’t easier. When you track what you eat and your caloric intake, plus track your workout, you can see whether you’re eating too much or not working out hard enough or doing things right.
Documenting your fitness journey doesn’t mean just weighing in weekly.
While weight is one measurement of progress, there are many others. For instance, taking body measurements can help show how you’ve lost weight or turned fat to muscle. You’ll lose inches when you do that, even if you don’t lose weight. Muscle tissue weighs more per cubic inch than fat tissue does. That means you may weigh the same, but if you have more muscle tissue, you’ll have smaller measurements. Taking a picture of yourself in the same location and clothing can also help learn the change.
Tracking your workout does two things.
When you track your workout, you can see where you started and how much more you can do. Whether it’s doing more reps or lifting more weight, it gives you an idea of progress. It also helps to have your workout written out and ready so you don’t have to stop and try to remember how many you did or what comes next.
Tracking what you eat can also help.
While the old way to journal your food intake was to have a notebook, where you wrote everything. Today many people use their cell phones to track their food intake. If you’re working with Body Sculptors, we have a registered dietitian who can help you find the easiest way to track your progress and ensure you’ll stick with a healthy plan of eating that’s designed specifically for your special needs and preferences. You can use your cell phone to track your exercise or go the old fashioned route and write it out.
- When you document your progress, you’ll also learn a lot about yourself. For instance, if you find you have stomach problems, check your diet and make a note. You may see a pattern and eliminate the problem.
- Documenting your progress can also help motivate you. Taking a picture every month allows you to see the difference that occurs slowly on a daily basis. It’s rewarding. Winners keep score.
- Documenting your workout and diet is a start, but if you want to feel better and have more energy, document your energy level. How many steps on the stairs can you take without getting winded? Are you exhausted at the end of the day or do you have energy? Track what’s important to you.
- You can also document other important numbers besides your weight, like your blood pressure or sugar levels. Exercise and a healthy diet can help normalize both blood sugar and blood pressure.
For more information, contact us today at Body Sculptors Personal Training