My Fitness Journal

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A bit Marmite this one - and I don't like it! - Rated
This book is a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none.

As a fitness journal, I expected a clear target setting page with diary-style pages to record my progress; what I actually got is a number of sections that skim over the key issues of diet and exercise and then a journal section that covers 7 days on the equivalent of one A4 page. As the owner of a number of diet and exercise books, I didn't need the summary sections and as I could make the simple journal pages on my computer at home, there didn't seem to be much benefit in owning this book. It needs to concentrate more on being an informative text or a motivational record book because it is not doing well at being both at once!

To be fair to the book, however, I do feel that there are people who would find it useful. I am working on a home-made fitness plan which is very personal to me. For someone who has more knowledge or experience or who does not want to become bogged down with too many diet and exercise details, the opening sections would be useful. The information is clear and concise and makes numerous commen-sense points. Similarly, the journal section would be helpful to someone who is working out more formally on a regular basis (perhaps with a personal trainer or at the gym) or who only wants to record exercise goals. There's no room for diets or reflection in these journal pages - just the cold, hard times and reps.

So if you are considering this book, think of it more as a tax-return and not a cuddly-companion. In these terms, you'll know whether or not this is the right book for you.

Motivational tool for any level of wanabee - Rated
I bought this book as I am on a long term diet which means regular exercise is a requirement for me. As anyone in this position can tell you, going to the gym and hitting those machines can be the dullest thing in the world, it's so easy to find a million and one excuses not to go. I'm too tired, I have to get up early, there's something good on the tv, I have to do something else etc..

So to make sure I kept on the straight and narrow I started to increase my training and track my performance and I purchased a heart monitor and a fitness journal. The journal itself when it arrived in the post was much larger than I expected, its like one of those huge original Filofaxes about the size hardback novel, with a hardcover and large binders in the middle. It has an elastic band round the outside and inside has 5 sections (My Body, My Excercise Program, My Nutrition, Staying Motivated and My Journal). Each Section heading has space inside to keeping little bits of paper - notes or telephone numbers or anything you want. The first 4 sections are not extensive, so don't expect lots of detail they are just there to remind one to think about the important components in improving your body. For example, Staying Motivated, is 4 pages with a few reminders or tips on how not to give up. The last and most important section My Journal is split into 6 week sections with two paces (opposing) per week. Each week you write in the different workouts, comments, times etc....and each 6 weeks you checkpoint for progress. This doesn't sound like much, but, it really helps to write down each workout, to have a comparison with the time before, to compliment yourself , and to force oneself to keep it up to date, there is nothing more embarrassing then seeing My Fitness Journal sitting on the table if you have just skipped the gym for x or y reason. Of course you could just buy a paper pad and achieve the same thing, however, if like me you want to make a commitment to yourself, for a relatively small outlay its a good motivational tool.

Great Motivator - Rated
A veteran of fitness, I still found this book to be a great motivator. The fitness journal is really handy. It can really help to keep a detailed log of your efforts and it's great to look back on months later so that you can see how far you've come ;o) The tips and facts throughout are really useful too. A good, inexpensive investment to keep you on track towards your goals.

motivated to exercise - Rated
This journal is fantastic.
I have been on the look out for this type of diary/record book for a long time!
It has several short chapters about your body, exercise, nutrition and the principles of creating an exercise programme and then has 36 weeks worth of journal pages to record the exercise you are doing and how its making you feel, nicely spaced out (so you can actually write in it!) with a summary review page every 6 weeks.
You also track your weight, measurements, level of fitness as you progress over the weeks, and there are some hints/tips as you go through.
Its helped me start running and I can see the progress already! My speed is quicker and the distance I am doing is futher, which you can easily see as you flick though the previous pages.
For those who need a bit of motivation to stick at exercise, this is an invaluable tool.