Keep A Walking Log to Stay Motivated and Achieve Your Fitness Goals

What Is a Walking Log?

A walking log, also known as a walking journal or walking diary, is a place to track your progress. Although you can buy one at a book store, it can be as simple as recording your walks in any journal or notepad you have available.

Why Keep a Walking Log?

Research shows that recording of how much you exercise is a great way to stay focused on your goal. It is very motivating to see how far you have come. It also keeps you on track. For example, if your goal is to walk 5 miles a week and you aren’t sure how many miles you need to walk to reach that goal, you can check your walking log for exact mileage information.

What Should I Keep In a Walking Log?

Here are a few important bits of information to track.

Routes. Record where you walked and describe the conditions. Was it flat? Hilly? Sunny? Rainy? This will help to establish a pattern. Let’s say you’ve begun to experience some neck pain every few days. You can go back through your log and determine if this neck pain arises from a certain type of weather or a certain path you’ve taken. Of course, you shouldn’t experience any neck pain if you have the proper walking posture! Click here for more information on how to walk properly. Or, perhaps you find that you feel more energized at certain times. Check your walking log for a pattern. Maybe it’s that extra hilly path that seems impossible at the time but leaves you feeling refreshed and energize afterward.

Heart Rate. Record your heart rate before, during and after each walk. Remember that it is important to stay within the Target Heart Rate Zone to burn calories and strengthen your heart. When you find that your heart rate is not in this zone because your fitness level has improved, it is time to walk faster or find some hills to climb so that you continue to give your body a good workout. Don’t know what your Target Heart Rate Zone is? Click here to determine your personalized Target Heart Rate Zone.

Mileage This is a great way to keep track of your progress. You’ll be able to look back into your walking log and remember when you could barely walk a mile a week. Now you may be walking 5 miles a week or 5 miles a day!

A walking log can contain as much or as little detail as you like. By recording each of your walks, you will find that you have very powerful reminder of your fitness journey.

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