Getting fit and keeping up with exercise can be difficult if you don’t have a planned schedule to follow. In my class we recently learned about Google Docs and all sorts of Google applications that are available for free online. Google Calendar is an easy way to keep on track with your exercise. I am currently teaching my older students about the F.I.T.T. principle of exercise. (Frequency, Intensity, Type, and Time) and having them create their own FITT plans for an assessment. In my class I could use Google Calendar to help them begin implementing their FITT plan and keeping track of it on a Google Calendar. Each day they could record the type of exercise they did, how long they exercised, and the intensity of their workout. This would help me see that they are actively engaging in exercise and physical activity and working towards their FITT goals. Students would also be able to encourage each other if they wanted to share their calendars with the class.
For your personal use, Google Calendar could help you visualize each work week (when you have meetings, when you will be staying late at school, etc.) ahead of time and schedule your workouts accordingly. It can be set to send you reminders and it can link up to your e-mails so it is always available to you. Another nice feature that I stated briefly above is that you can share your calendar with others and easily schedule times with a friend/coworker if you need an exercise buddy to help keep you motivated and interested.
As I tell my students, make time for the things you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing you are less likely to keep up with it. Therefore, choose physical activities that are right for you and make it as social as possible. Getting a good amount of exercise is easier if you take the time to plan it out. Once you have a routine it just becomes a part of your life.