Some people have a very relaxed attitude toward their exercise routine. Others ruthlessly count every second and step to track every miniscule improvement or decline. Both approaches have their benefits, but there is some research to suggest that monitoring your performance may provide you with quite a boost (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/top-5-reasons-why-counting-steps-and-minutes-can-boost-your-health/).
Step counting is easier than ever before thanks to modern wearable technology. Many people set themselves a target for the day, such as 5000 steps or 10,000 steps, before they tuck themselves into bed. Having this goal to aim for can be the motivation you need to make sure you keep moving. Even taking a quick stroll during your break rather than staying at your desk can make a big difference, especially if it’s every day.
There are many benefits to having exercise as part of your schedule. If keeping track of your performance encourages you to push harder, you could experience improved strength, flexibility and endurance, enhance your cardiovascular health while reducing your diabetes risk, lower your stress levels, and boost your mood.
By counting your steps, or the minutes spent exercising, you can monitor your progress. Improvements can be qualified and measured, giving you a sense of achievement when you do well and holding you accountable if you let things slide. It’s no longer some vague and ineffable thing, but a set of concrete numbers that you can use to plan future changes to your routine.
Analysis of your performance to date can allow you to determine where your strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to fitness. You can then tailor future sessions to ensure you have plenty of time on the areas you enjoy while building on the aspects that need improvement. It’s the kind of individualized approach that should always be the goal but isn’t always possible without the right support.
Now, being fixated on your step or minute count on a day-by-day basis isn’t always a good thing. You can become obsessed with even tiny fluctuations, the kind that always happen for a variety of reasons and don’t really tell you anything, losing track of the big picture in the process. You can also end up comparing yourself to other people in completely different circumstances rather than just trying to improve yourself.
Don’t get carried away with performance tracking, but do consider whether it could benefit you.
