I hear of so many who start working out, but end up dropping their newly found fitness regime due to a drop in motivation and or a change in schedule. When they start up again months later, they end up regretting they ever stopped. It’s hard to start anew and adopt a way to track fitness progress! One thing I know for sure is that tracking your fitness achievements day-to-day helps keep up the consistency and drive to reach higher and higher goals.
The fitness lovers who developed the Fitbug activity tracker are experts in this arena. They sent you 6 tips to ensure your tracking is on point. Choose 1, 2, or more to stay committed during this season of your life.
Let’s do this!
1. Start a fitness journal
Find a fun journal – one you WANT to crack open. Every time you exercise, make a note of exactly what you did. Note down how long you exercised for, and to what intensity. If you’re training with weights, make a note of how much weight you lifted, and how many repetitions you performed. Also, jot down your thoughts, and whether or not you feel refreshed or lacking in energy afterwards. If you can also make a note of what you ate that day, you should be able to determine which foods provide you with the energy your workouts require.
2. Use an activity tracker
Using a fitness tracker is the low-maintenance option when it comes to
keeping track of your exercise. Usually a small, discreet device, an activity 
tracker can sit in a pocket or be attached to clothing. Its primary function is to track the steps you take, which makes it ideal if you’re a fan of running or walking. Advanced models will also use advanced geo-positioning technology to track the distances and routes you cover, which might be beneficial if you’re a fan of cycling. One of the most comprehensive and inexpensive options is the Fitbug activity tracker. It can count calories, track sleep, track steps and activity, and it can be worn anywhere on your body. One of the biggest differentiators that it offers is that it doesn’t have to be recharged!
3. Join the local gym
By joining a gym, you will gain access to a range of services and facilities that make recording your activity levels very easy indeed. Some gyms use the low-tech option of pen and paper to record times, distances, weights and repetitions, while others allow gym users to store this information electronically. Most cardiovascular equipment in gyms have monitoring functions that give users real-time performance data. You can then record this data on your own performance chart or on a mobile app. You might want to make things fun by trying to better your previous best times and distances on stationary bikes, treadmills and cross trainers.
4. Keep a scrapbook of before and after photos
A very simple way to track your activity is to keep a scrapbook. Pick one day every week, and record your times, distances, weights and repetitions for that day. But to give those statistics a little context, take a photo and stick it next to that week’s data. As you see your activity levels increase, you should see your weight and body shape start to change for the better. This is a great way to find extra motivation and have a little fun with your exercise regimes.
5. Record vlogs for YouTube
Recording a vlog gives you the opportunity to keep video evidence of your exercise regimes. Record a vlog after every workout and post it on YouTube for your friends, family and colleagues to see. This way, you can get advice and motivation from people who know what you’re trying to achieve. You may also be able to use previous vlogs to ascertain which types of exercise deliver the best results.
6. Create a weekly goals chart
Creating a weekly goal chart involves a lot of work at the start of the process, but it can be a lot of fun. Invest in some colored pens and notebook paper, and divide a chart into individual weeks. Depending on the nature of the exercise you’re doing, set goals and mark your actual results beside them. Put your chart on a prominent wall in your home for a visual reminder of how your exercise regime is progressing. Use gold stars and a self reward system when you achieve your goals —> Pedicure, anyone?!
Do you use any of these methods, or is there one you want to try? Let us know in the comments below!
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