Progress Journalling – A Guarantee of Success?
Almost every goalsetting or personal development book talks of having specific, measurable goals so that we can be specific in measuring our progress and success. Here is a great example of progress journalling in action!
Run FatAss, Run is a blog that stands out to me – not just because it is a measure of someone losing weight (there are hundreds of those), but because the author, BSN, is using the functionality of the blog to achieve two absolutely essential things:
- An Accountability Tool – there are quite a few readers and subscribers now checking in and seeing if the goals that are set are being achieved, not to mention accountability to himself
- Detailed Progress Measurement – BSN is using the blog as a tool to chart his progress every step of the way.
By going into this level of detail in recording his progress, he is able to chart exactly the areas that he is succeeding and exactly those areas that need improvement. It is clearly working:
Overall, I’m pleased. I see some obvious areas of improvement, though. The variance in my calories has gotten wider, and I’m sure it would be beneficial to tighten that up. My percentage carb intake dropped two points, but the fat went up 1 point and I’d like to see more protein in my diet. My calisthenics time was way down when it should have gone up. Obviously, I did more work around the house, but I also know I’m feeling drained after my walks. Either I need to do the calisthenics beforehand, or figure out an eating pattern that leaves me with more energy.
Eight pounds down for the week, which follows six from last week. Getting anal about recording everything I eat has helped accelerate the weight loss.
