Keeping an Exercise Log - 5 Ways it Will Help You Stay Motivated

You want to get into the habit of exercise. You know it will feel good, eventually. You know you need to make it part of your routine for 6 weeks until it becomes a habit. You know it is what you need to do to improve your health and shed a few pounds. But you just do not feel like it. You can always find something else to do and an excuse why you are not going get some exercise today. You know you could get an exercise partner to help you stay motivated but all that coordinating of schedules makes it difficult. That is what you tell yourself anyway.

A simple way to help you get yourself where you want to be is by keeping a log. It can be on paper, in a journal, on a spreadsheet on your computer, or if you have a smart phone, an ap such as Cardio Trainer or Fitnio. Using a log as a training partner helps you stay motivated and on track. Here's why:

1) Making a regular journal entry on a schedule you set for yourself gives you a sense of accomplishment that mentally sets the stage for repeating this positive experience.

2) Keeping track of what you have done each day helps you to see a pattern of what felt best: -What you enjoy and do not enjoy.

-What may be causing you to feel energized or depleted - maybe 5 days a week is good for you but 6 is too much and you need a rest?

-What you have done that may be causing injury or discomfort - did you forget to stretch, run too many hills?

3) Adding eating info to the log helps you to make a connection between what you eat and your energy level and will most likely show you that when you exercise you have a tendency to eat healthier foods.

4) Looking back on what you have done over a period of time subconsciously reinforces that sense of accomplishment and makes you want to keep it up.

5) Keeping a log gives you a sense of a task to do that needs to be checked off. If you skip it, something is missing.

Using electronic programs gives you even more of a sense of accomplishment as they give you real time feedback on speed, distance, and calories burned. Plus, they will set a schedule for you and remind you of it, if you want.

Keep your habit of exercise going. You will feel good. Since you know you need to make it a habit, using a tool to help you just makes sense. You will be so happy when you improve your health and shed a few pounds. Your log, whether paper or electronic, will be your exercise partner and help you stay motivated. You can still have a real exercise partner if you want. Your neighbor or your dog probably wants to get some exercise too!