Detailed work out logging?

Sep 2, 2018

So, I've always seen folks at the gym with their notebooks and pens taking what look like painstakingly detailed notes about their reps and the weight, and God knows what else. I had an complimentary intro session with a trainer at a gym a long, long time ago and he gave me some sort of chart to keep when working out. I hated it.

Recently, a client of mine (who's a former trainer) expressed to me that she's really challenged by working out theses days because she doesn't feel like she has enough of a plan and because it seems overwhelming to create one and stick with it. Thus, she's been avoiding working out. Total ADHD (& anxiety) response.

I'm sure I do not represent the thoughts and feelings of every ADHDer who works out. I am not a fan of the detailed workout log and hers's why:

I consider my workout part of my mindfulness practice. Particularly when lifting, I like to go into "the zone" and do my routine. I find that enjoyable, believe it or not. Since I have ADHD, transitioning my attention is not my strongest point. Nor is tediously logging details. So, to have to transition after every set or every exercise would break my flow and be considerably less enjoyable.
Plateauing is a real thing. And, we like instant gratification. So seeing that you haven't progressed (or, God forbid, have a bad day and regressed a bit,) can be demoralizing. When in actuality, maybe it was mostly a great work out. Sometimes doing what you did last time is a great work out.
It seems unnecessary to me. Lift what you can lift. Do the sets that you can do. And, get what you want to get out of it.

I do track my workouts but only in the sense that I did it. For example, yesterday I noted on my calendar: 72m St/CR/PT/3xA+/250xC+ Meaning that I did 72 minutes, stretched, did my core, did my PT for my shoulder, did 3 sets of bi's and tri's, and 250 total reps for my chest. The +'s just mean that I feel like those were particularly strong workouts... All without being on the super micro level. Happy lifting!

Standard Disclaimer: In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.

Share With Friends:

Direct Link