THE BENEFITS OF HEALTH FITNESS JOURNALING

NPL athlete leaning against a railing, blog is discussing the benefits of journaling your health and fitness journey

 The Benefits of Health Fitness Journaling:

Fitness journaling makes sure you continuously move forward, improve, and reflect on your fitness journey. It is a customized method to fine-tune workout techniques, and habits while making changes to your workout schedule. 

 

Grab a pen and a blank notebook and let’s dive into the benefits of health fitness journaling according to HealthShots 

 

Track and monitor progress   

Fitness journaling keeps you accountable to write down your performance on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Therefore, you can easily view insights into your overall fitness journey. It is a structured and organized system to help you focus on important aspects of your fitness routine. Whenever you are not getting closer to your goal, you can revert to the potential reasons and where it went wrong.   

 

Motivation to eat more healthy  

Writing down your food intake will automatically force you to eat more clean foods, vegetables and drink more water each day. You are more likely to make the right food and drink choices when you must slot it in each day. Journaling will also help you to review past meals and improve future meal planning. 

 

Feel more determined and inspired  

Journaling will keep you motivated as you can reflect on past successful workouts. This will encourage you to keep working out as you came so far in your fitness journey. Always write down new ideas even if are busy with a workout, as it can help with future workout inspiration for the upcoming weeks.

 

Examine and amend   

Fitness journaling should not only be to keep a record of exercises and meals, but you can add extra factors such as your stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration levels, or if you feel tired. These factors have a great impact on your performance and whether you need additional rest days. Amend your fitness journey so that it fits your balanced lifestyle to ensure consistency and success. 

 

Lower risk of injuries  

Journaling will help you to record the pace at which you lift weights, the amount of cardio you do on a weekly basis, or any pain experienced due to bad posture while working out. If you know which mistakes you are making, you will know how to prevent them, making a fitness journal the perfect tool to lower injury risks.     

 

 

How can I start my fitness journal today? 

#1 Pick and choose your journal 

 Grab a notebook, not too small or too big but just the right size. If you prefer a digital journal download an app or a fitness tracker progress notebook. Choose a journal you will stick to! 

 

#2 Set your goals  

A journey starts with an end destination in mind, therefore before starting your fitness journey, write down your fitness goals. Your goals can include losing weight, lifting heavier, being more fit, etc. Now that you know where you are heading, you can start your fitness journey and always reflect on what you want to achieve out of this.  

 

#3 Track your meals and goals  

Tracking your food intake allows you to have a different perspective on what you are putting into your body. These habits can either be positive or they can make you realize that your meals are not aligned with your goals.  

 

#4 Track the frequency of workouts  

Keep track of how often you exercise and the duration of your workouts. If your goal is to run faster, time yourself and write the time down. The next week you will be able to see if you have improved and the reason thereof.  

 

#5 Keep into account your emotion and different factors  

Write down how you feel before your workout and your emotions after your workout. How did it make you feel? Or did this certain meal make you feel more tired afterward? These are small factors but big things to notice which can impact your overall fitness performance. 

 

#6 Enjoy journaling and keep it interesting  

Journaling shouldn’t feel like work, keep it fun and interesting! Use highlighters, bright coloured pens, motivational quotes, and stickers. 

 

#7 Keep it part of your daily routine 

Journaling should be your best friend. Why? Because it helps you to reach your goals!  

 

Conclusion 

 

Fitness journaling is the perfect tool to customize your fitness journal to meet your goals while also making daily changes to your workout and eating routine.  

 

 

Resources 

https://www.healthshots.com/fitness/staying-fit/5-ways-in-which-fitness-journaling-can-help-you-reach-your-goals/ 

https://cdymca.org/7-tips-for-keeping-a-fitness-journal/ 

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