Forward Momentum: Tracking Toward Success

Taking care of your overall health and wellbeing needs to be a priority for each individual. There is no one right way to tackle this and so it can often feel overwhelming when you’re faced with some issues.

I had always planned that working from home would be key to helping me go on more walks and keep up my gym routine. Not having to get changed into a work uniform and commute to the office seemed like I’d have more free time for all of those things. And while I do have more time, I’ve fallen into bad habits like sleeping in and using the extra time to escape into a good book.

So I decided to look at the things that have helped me turn it around in the past. One of the big things for me is being able to see progress, like when you can walk your usual route faster than before or you start to feel better in your clothes.

Tracking weight loss or fitness progress is crucial for staying motivated and focused on your goals. Regularly weigh yourself using a scale and record your weight in a journal or a tracking app. Choose a consistent time of day to weigh yourself, such as first thing in the morning before eating or drinking.

Take front, side, and back photos of your body at regular intervals, such as once a week or once a month. Comparing these photos over time can provide visual evidence of your progress, especially when combined with other tracking methods.

Most gyms offer free Fitness Assessments. You can track improvements in fitness levels by performing regular assessments, such as timed runs, strength tests, or flexibility measurements. Seeing improvements in fitness can be a great motivator and indicator of progress, regardless of changes in body weight.

Keep a journal or use a habit-tracking app to monitor behaviors related to weight loss, such as daily food intake, exercise sessions, water consumption, and sleep patterns. Tracking these habits can help identify areas for improvement and reinforce positive behaviors.

Not all the things you track are physical, you can also keep tabs on your Emotional Well-being. Pay attention to your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Tracking changes in emotional and mental health can provide valuable insights into the holistic impact of your lifestyle changes.

It can be easy to set unrealistic goals for yourself or to feel societal pressure to look a specific way. This is why you need to check in with yourself and make sure you are enjoying what you’re doing. I personally love to make sure I work towards 10,000 steps a day, I like that it’s a bit of a challenge for me and I feel myself improving and feeling better about my fitness when I’m doing it. Walks can be long or short, outside or on the treadmill. I enjoy walking so this goal works for me. Find an activity that you love and it makes taking care of yourself so much easier.

I recently lost my fitbit charger and was about to start a step challenge with friends so I jumped online and found the TOOBUR Activity & Fitness Tracker. Not only was it really reasonably priced, you can plug it directly into a USB spot to charge it!! No more dealing with broken or lost charging cables for me!

Using a fitness and activity tracker is just another tool in your box to help you take better care of yourself. It offers several benefits that can contribute to improved health, fitness, and overall well-being:

Awareness: A tracker provides real-time feedback on your activity levels, encouraging you to stay active throughout the day. It raises awareness of your daily habits and motivates you to make healthier choices.

Goal Setting: Trackers allow you to set specific fitness goals, such as daily step counts, calorie burn targets, or workout duration. Setting achievable goals and tracking your progress can increase motivation and accountability.

Activity Monitoring: With a tracker, you can monitor various aspects of your physical activity, including steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, active minutes, and even sleep patterns. This data helps you understand your activity patterns and identify areas for improvement.

Accountability: Sharing your activity data with friends, family, or online communities can provide accountability and social support. Participating in challenges or competitions can further motivate you to stay active and reach your goals.

Sleep Tracking: Quality sleep is essential for overall health and recovery. Fitness trackers with sleep tracking capabilities can monitor your sleep patterns, detect disturbances, and provide insights to help improve sleep quality.

Stress Management: Some advanced trackers include features for monitoring stress levels, such as heart rate variability and guided breathing exercises. These tools can help you manage stress more effectively and promote relaxation.

Overall Health Monitoring: By tracking various metrics over time, such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep quality, you can gain insights into your overall health and detect potential issues early on. This information can empower you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and seek medical attention if necessary.

Motivation and Engagement: Many fitness trackers incorporate gamification elements, such as achievement badges, rewards, and challenges, to keep users engaged and motivated. These features make fitness tracking more enjoyable and encourage long-term adherence.

If you’re struggling to get back into a fitness routine you should consider a tracker such as the TOOBUR Activity & Fitness Tracker.

Until next Friday, stay awesome!

Kat