The Importance of Tracking Your Health

Every time we set out to reach a new health and fitness goal, we begin by assessing what needs to be done to reach those goals. Whether it is weight loss, more sleep, strength gains, or healthy eating, tracking our activity and health habits can help keep us on target with goals and promote longevity of a healthy lifestyle.

Last year, I was training for my very first marathon and chose a goal based on time. To meet my goal, I knew that I would need consistency in my training as well as something to track my time and hold me accountable. I utilized both a heart rate tracker and pacer on my FitBit to make sure I was completing my miles on time and that my heart could keep up. This is just one example of how tracking can help you reach goals and improve your health. If tracking activity and health stats is new to you, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

1. Numbers are great, but you also need to listen to your body. Your body is your own and your numbers do not need to match anyone else’s. Check-in with yourself every so often to make sure you do not become fixated on only numbers.
2. Track something you are truly interested in! Tracking every detail can become overwhelming and exhausting. If you are passionate about what you’re tracking, you are more likely to stick with it over time.
3. Choose one primary goal at a time (sleep, strength, cardio, nutrition) and utilize technology such as an app and/or wearable to help you achieve it!

This month our content writers are educating you on ways to put numbers and tracking to good work to get more specific in your health goals.