Fitness Journal

To help me keep track of what I am eating and what I am doing as far as exercise, I have created a Weight Loss and Exercise journal. (please forgive the lack of pictures, I will add some at another time).  In this journal, each day I will post the following things: What training day it is (Cardio, Abs, Arms, Legs, Back, or Rest day.), the date of course along with my current weight.  ( I suggest only doing this at the start of each training week.)  I started my journal today, so I will weigh in every Thursday.  Also, I enter in any type of exercising that I did for that day.  Today, I did 30 minutes on the treadmill at speed 5.0 and 20 minutes on the elliptical at level 6.  Next, I keep track of what I eat during my day:  Breakfast, Lunch, Supper and two snacks.  Eating several small meals a day will help boost your metabolism because your body will never really feel hungry.  If your body feels like it is "starving", the it will store the fat instead of burn it because it has the instinct to protect itself to keep going.  Ok, sorry...  Anyway, if you keep track of what you do and eat each day, you will start to be accountable for what you are doing and will more quickly see a result when you weigh in each week.  Also in this journal put some inspirational things that you may find to keep you motivated.  If you are into fitness magazines, like I am start clipping them out and tape them into your journal for a quick reference and inspiration whenever you feel stonewalled in your exercise.  Here are some pics of my journal.  There were others but I could figure out how to flip them....Yup that is the blonde kicking in...But anyway enjoy:

These are some clippings I cut out of a fitness magazine as motivation and instruction on trying new exercises.

Here is an example of an entry that I may put in my journal..  On this particular page it is Day 3 of my workout, and it is supposed to be my Rest day.  Well zumba happened to also fall on that day, so I just took it easy for the day and went to Zumba that evening.  Even on your rest day, you should at least do stretches like yoga or meditation even to keep your mind and body in the game and ready to go for the next day.  Be sure, though, to get plenty of rest, because it is harder on the body, when you put stress like a workout on it after am up all nighter or something like that.  Your body's natural defense mechanisms will kick in and will make it harder for you to lose that weight it is holding on to.

You may be wondering why I have my workout gear in a snapshot for you.  Well, this is some new workout gear that Igot today.  Sometimes, (always), or mind and body work in a weird way that if you tell yourself, "hey, I bought this stuff to specifically workout", you will be more motivated to want to wear it and use it.  Even though you are not trying to impress anyone while you are trying not to die while running on the treadmill, if you are comfortable with how you look in your gear, you will be more focused on your run or workout, rather than constantly pulling that shirt down to cover your midriff or adjusting your sports bra every ten seconds.  Believe me!!!  Being uncomfortable in your workout gear will most definitely negatively affect your workout and your state of mind.  Remember!!  Be comfortable, get going!!