Daily Movement Prompts, Thursday, March 2, 2017 edition: Sanity in Tracking
Sometimes it can be helpful to write down and track progress in our movement choices and activities. In any internet search, you’re likely to find dozens of recommended systems for tracking. You might start with simple lists and check boxes to track whether you’ve completed an exercise or learned a specific skill. You might schedule activities on a calendar and evaluate your progress based on the number of times you’ve pursued your activities. You might log achievements, steps, repetitions, weights, reps, or laps in spreadsheets and convert the data to line graphs to see the trends. You might use some of the technology advancements out there and let a fitness tracker take care of monitoring your progress.
In my opinion, regardless how you track your progress, it is imperative that you watch how it affects you emotionally. Specifically, find ways to keep your sanity in place and not allow the numbers to bully you or pressure you in abusive ways. We get so many overt and subtle messages from marketing and social conditioning about weight, size, abilities, expectations, and comparisons to other people. I think it is extremely important to avoid adding to that pressure.
How do you enjoy tracking progress AND keeping sane about the numbers? Which systems have worked for you and encouraged you? Which methods help you rather than hinder?
How will you move today? Or how will you embrace rest and recovery today?