I've touched on the importance of fitness planning and how to plan the fitness as a beginner,
but how do I actually use the planner and what exactly makes a good fitness planner?
Well, here's the thing: everyone's body and lifestyle are unique. The key lies in understanding how to tailor the use of a fitness planner to fit YOUR needs. Once you grasp the HOW, you'll effortlessly figure out the WHAT. Allow me to share some of my tried-and-true tricks for using a fitness planner effectively, empowering you to kickstart your journey with ease and customize it to suit your requirements.
Here are 4 steps of effective fitness planning:
#1 The Power of Big & Smaller Goal Setting
Let me share a game-changing piece of fitness advice I once dismissed: set goals.
It seemed daunting at first, but I soon realized its magic. Goal setting isn't just about achieving greatness; it's about finding motivation in your journey.
Take my early days as a runner. Signing up for a 10k race felt like a leap, but it gave me a clear target to aim for. Whether I aimed to complete the race without walking or beat my previous time, having that goal spurred me on.
Here's a helpful tip: Take the time to jot down your goals in your fitness planner or on paper. Our 'Dear Body. I Love You' fitness planner includes dedicated goal-setting pages designed to help you dive deeper and break your goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Plus, for those who are more visually inclined, there's even a vision board page. Creating a dedicated 'goals page' will allow you to articulate your objectives clearly.
Trust me; this simple practice can truly work wonders for your progress. Give it a try now and witness your fitness journey soar!
Click below to check out the digital planner 👇👇
#2 Planning Is Halfway There
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of planning? Trust me, I used to be the same way, but planning actually makes reaching your goals much more achievable—and it doesn't have to be time-consuming. In fact, it gives you a clear roadmap of what to do! Here's my approach: I start by working backward from my goals. I ask myself, if X is my main goal, what smaller steps do I need to take to get there? And then, what are the day-to-day actions I should be focusing on?
Let me break it down with an example:
If it is the weight Loss;
Goal: Lose 10 pounds in 2 months
- Smaller goal 1: Create a calorie deficit by consuming 500 fewer calories per day
- Smaller goal 2: Increase physical activity to burn an additional 250 calories per day through exercise
- Smaller goal 3: Incorporate more whole foods and vegetables into meals to promote satiety and nutrient intake
Habits to support these goals:
- Track daily food intake using a calorie counting app or journal
- Schedule regular workouts, such as cardio sessions and strength training, at least 4 times per week
- Prioritize adequate hydration by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
Now that we've outlined the big and small goals (hopefully using our 'Dear Body. I Love You' planner), it's time to transfer them into your monthly and weekly planner. You don't necessarily need both, but I find it helpful to have a big picture overview in my monthly planner and then dive into more detailed planning in my weekly planner. Our weekly planning page includes everything you need for your fitness journey, including a habit tracking section.
*If you want to check out what to do with the weekly schedule, I talk about how to plan your fitness as a beginner with 3-day & 4-day workout plans in my previous blog.
As you fill out your planner, remember to break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps and habits. It may seem like a lot of work at first, but I promise, it's worth it!
#3 See Progress In Your Fitness
Keeping tabs on my water intake, calories, and mood gives me some pretty cool insights into my daily routines. It's like having a little window into what's going on with my body and mind. If I notice I'm not drinking enough water, feeling off, or maybe eating a bit too much, it's a cue to make some adjustments.
But let's be real, deciding what to track can feel like staring at a menu with too many options. That's where our planner swoops in like a hero with its 12 built-in trackers. You can pick and choose the ones that fit your vibe and goals. Start with one, like maybe tracking your water intake, and then add more as you get into the groove.
If you're on a weight loss journey, maybe focusing on counting those calories or checking in on the weight log page regularly could be your jam. It's pretty satisfying to see all your progress laid out on a single page, right?
Like, "Hey, look at me go!"
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#4 A Workout Journal Is Good For Mentality Training
Using a fitness tracker to keep tabs on stuff like what you eat and how much you work out is awesome. But what about the less straightforward side of training? You know, like they say:
"A workout is 90% mental and 10% physical."
Basically, your headspace is just as important as your body when it comes to fitness. So, it's a good idea to start paying attention to how you're feeling throughout the day or week. Like, what thoughts got you through that killer workout?
I've got this routine where I write down my workouts, meals, and how I'm feeling each day. Then, when the week wraps up, I review it all—celebrating wins and thinking about what I could do better. It's like mental spring cleaning, you know? Training can get overwhelming, and having a place to spill your thoughts (even if it's just a journal) can really help.
Doing this regularly helps me stay positive and see the good stuff happening in my day-to-day grind.
Feeling ready to dive into fitness planning yet?
With countless workout planners on the market, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. That's why we've designed our fitness planner to be straightforward and accessible, offering just the right amount of structure without the stress.
Oh and did I mention that it has built-in examples of most pages? It shows how to utilize all spreads!
Starting slow and gradually building momentum is perfectly okay. Our goal is to help you find that sweet spot of simplicity and effectiveness in your fitness journey. That's why I'm excited to share our "Dear Body, I Love You" digital fitness planner, which has been instrumental in keeping me focused and motivated in my own running and fitness endeavors.
Whether you're kickstarting a new routine or fine-tuning your current one, this planner can be a game-changer. Give it a try and let me know how it goes—I'll be here to cheer you on every step of the way!