I always advise anyone who wants to train for a marathon to keep a diary and log how many miles they run each day. There is no way you can properly run a marathon without a training plan, and it is difficult to keep track of your training without a simple written record.

Athletes who don’t keep a diary always think they are running more miles than they actually are. Unfortunately you may be able to convince yourself you are training hard enough, but a marathon race will expose the flaw in your thinking. 

Losing weight and keeping weight off, requires a longer training plan than the 4 to 6 months for a marathon; –  it’s a lifetime plan! If you are now overweight you have probably assimilated bad eating habits into your daily routine that you are not even aware of. Keep a diary and you will discover what they are, and then you can decide whether you want to change the habit. 

The diary doesn’t have to be detailed. In fact the simpler the entry the better, as you are more likely to continue with the routine. Do this for a month – and no cheating! Everything you eat must be entered in the diary. After one month, study your diary and decide what changes can easily be made. Information gives you control, and a diary will enable you to formulate healthy eating habits within your daily routine.

John McNally