Hello!! So the weekend is winding down, and I figured we all could use more #MondayMotivation! In my previous #MondayMotivation post I wrote about tips to help get your Monday (and rest of the week) moving in the right direction. This time, I writing on specifically how to get your workouts moving in the right direction (lol) around a busy schedule…that again all comes with PLANNING.

I use a running log aka workout planner to help me do just that. I didn’t start using a log/planner etc until a year or so ago. I found writing things down help lead me to see results and most importantly…made sure THEY GOT DONE! I started with just a plain journal…nothing fancy. From there, for christmas one year I got a running journal allowing more room to write down specifics such as distance, where/when, and comments about the workout. To this day I still use the same one!! Its different since its also a calendar but essentially the same format. I use The Complete Runner’s Day-By-Day Log 2015 Calendar by Marty Jerome you can find it easily anywhere! (Although I’m pretty sure my mom got it off Amazon :P). He writes cool tips, there’s a lot of room for comments/notes, a full size calendar for each month, as well as a motivational page each month with cool pics, etc. Props to my mom who found it and gave it to me!!

Anyways, my point here is that having a place to write your workouts down for the week is SUPER helpful in also committing to your fitness routine. Each weekend, mostly on Sundays, I take time to have my workout planner and daily schedule side by side to compare my availability, workouts, timing, etc among my busy life. *Notice there are TWO planners…workouts and daily life calendars are not together!* Thats what I call the SECRET! I personally like to keep them separate, but if you prefer one calendar and have everything on that, go for it! Its all about personal preference here!! What works for me might not work for you.

Benefits to Using a Workout Calendar

-Plan each day with what you plan to do and the timing of it makes a big difference in if you get it done or not.

-Track results more efficiently

-Its a HARD COPY so you can go back and see your progress easy!

-A visual way to see your training (more motivation!)

-Allows you to set up a timeline for success

-Serves as a reference for future goals

-Keeps you accountable!! (once you write it down, there’s no going back 😉

I originally started with using it to train for my first few half marathons but then I loved it so much I decided I wanted to use it for everyday workouts. To this day, I use it map out my miles for the week, make the time for other components of training (yoga, cross training, strength training), and rest to get me to COMMIT and follow-through!

Writing down the timing can seem tedious, but I find that generally putting down a time-frame can help with when its gonna happen. For example, if I have a busy morning that day, and I put “leg day—pm” on that day in my planner I know doing it anytime after lunch or before my commitment late afternoon/evening gets busy again. I pin-point a time because things change, but it helps keep it realistic for me. It all starts with a thought…writing it down actually makes it happen!!