Keeping an Exercise Journal
Jot down details of walks and workouts to up your consistency and results.
Posted 5/17/07
Like a food journal, an exercise log provides accountability – and a means of encouragement. “The most important factor in any exercise program is consistency,” says Neil F. Gordon, MD, medical director, Center for Heart Disease Prevention and Management at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, Ga. “Tracking the positive or negative effects of each activity allows people to recognize trends, so they can see what works for them and what doesn’t, and then revise their program to achieve maximum results,” he says.
Seeing positive trends in your exercise journal is a great motivator, and your entries can be shared with your doctor, so she can see you are complying with recommendations and making progress. You can get free exercise journal sheets at www.bodyforlife.com, use a plain notebook or purchase paperback or hardback exercise journals at most bookstores or online.
