Not Keeping Score
Keeping track of personal bests might sound like a diversion for fitness wonks, but there's a reason why pro coaching outfits such as Athletes' Performance do it: If you want to improve your fitness, you have to track your training. Exercise logs are like job evaluations—without them, you don't work as hard.
The Fix: Keep a training log. If you want to get obsessive about it, Web sites like Trainingpeaks.com, which tracks performance metrics such as speed and power output on bike rides, are great. Otherwise, a heart-rate monitor will do just fine. You ran four miles in 35:15, with a heart rate of 144 beats per minute yesterday? Match those numbers—or beat them—the next time you go out.
Comments
This has been huge for me. Not only did I start tracking my progress with workouts but also with my weight, my food intake, and my active minutes per week. My biggest problem was my weight. I used to just workout and hope for results, but it was hard to quantify without really putting the effort into what was happening with my body. So I joined a Biggest Loser Competition with some of my family to keep me motivated and to force me to track all the data. I started at 243, now I'm at 212 and am going to continue with the workout routines I've established well after the competition is over. The best part of it all is realizing that the changes I've made are lifelong and not just a temporary diet to drop weight. My blood pressure is down, my outlook better, with higher energy, and way more endurance. My biggest problem now is buying new clothes.
Flag ThisThis has been huge for me. Not only did I start tracking my progress with workouts but also with my weight, my food intake, and my active minutes per week. My biggest problem was my weight. I used to just workout and hope for results, but it was hard to quantify without really putting the effort into what was happening with my body. So I joined a Biggest Loser Competition with some of my family to keep me motivated and to force me to track all the data. I started at 243, now I'm at 212 and am going to continue with the workout routines I've established well after the competition is over. The best part of it all is realizing that the changes I've made are lifelong and not just a temporary diet to drop weight. My blood pressure is down, my outlook better, with higher energy, and way more endurance. My biggest problem now is buying new clothes.
Flag This