GarageGym107

As I read through a few friends blogs this weekend I realized that I could be doing some things a tad bit or even a whole LOT better.

In example over at 43 Fitness she whips out her workout log and shows all of her readers the key points and highlights that she relies on that notebook to remind her of.  I love it.

I have several workout books/logs, but over the past 6 months or so I’ve gotten out of the habit of doing it daily and that has got to change.   It doesn’t matter what the reason is behind not keeping up with it, all that matters is that needs to change.  Today.

Keeping a journal of both food and workouts is the ONLY way a coach or trainer or faithful friends can help you figure out why you’ve hit a plateau or whether you are making excuses.  Accountability.

I am weak.  I need accountability.  I admit it. 

Underneath it all I am as normal as they come.  I want to cheat on my food and so long as no one saw me eat that extra handful of nuts, it doesn’t matter right?  Uh huh.

Oh last week I cleaned 95# 15 times but this week I’m just too tired to clean 85# 10 times.  Uh huh.

As long as it is not written down, it doesn’t matter, right?  Uh huh.

See the pattern?

While watching the video 43 Fitness did, I remembered a time way back when.  Yes, a long time ago.  I was keeping my very first food journal.   I remember making it through the first week with everything nice and tidy.   During the second week things started to change.  One day I ate 4 chocolate covered Oreo cookies.  In my mind they are a whole lot better than they are in my mouth these days.  Now they just taste overly processed.   I digress…

The day I sat with that food journal getting ready to write down those cookies, all sorts of feelings cascaded through my mind.  Shame and guilt were in the front row.  Followed by honesty.  Honesty said “write it down and be uncomfortable with it”.  Shame and guilt applauded the uncomfortable part.

That was the turning point for me with keeping a food journal.  Most of the time I no longer need it.  Seriously, most of the time I’m spot on with both meal planning and portions.  When it is time to set a new goal, it is time to journal.

In reality, I do believe that is just what my fitness goals need to come to fruition.

A journal should be filled with all of the important details of your workouts and your nutrition.  If you lift you want to keep up with the lifting progressions.  Try new things that challenge your body.  Sometimes they don’t work out for you.  If you journal it, you won’t likely make the same mistake twice.

When keeping a food journal, you must have integrity.  I promise you, strong character is built when no one else is watching.  Because the only person you are cheating is yourself.

WRITE IT DOWN.  You may be surprised at patterns that develop.  Patterns that can help you understand whether you sabotage yourself.   Patterns that help you understand if you are a stress eater.   WRITE IT DOWN.  Over time you’ll get stronger because you won’t eat it because you don’t want to WRITE IT DOWN.

I talked to the spousal unit last night and told him it was time for more serious goal setting and record keeping.  He is the best “are you SURE you want to eat that” person on the planet.  Especially when he knows I have a goal set.

As with most everything, I intend to share the new journal process with you all.  Hopefully I can start making a few videos along the way.