How to create a fitness journal from scratch
Welcome!
Fitness journaling is so broad, you can go insane tracking your food and workouts, writing down workout schedules, and journaling about all of it.
But here’s how I’ve designed several of my journals, to keep it simple.
I have structured many of my journals this way, ones that I have sold, and ones that I give away for free.
You can do the same!
You can then sell them, give them as gifts, or use them yourself. Here are the steps:
Choose a Focus Goal
Choose a Theme
Decide how many pages go inside each section
Determine a desired outcome (what result people get when they use this journal)
Decide how often you (or the user) will be using this journal
Decide on a way to conclude your journal
Create a segway into the next journal
Tell the world!
Example Pages
Below are three examples of worksheets I’ve created and included inside Fitness Journals and Motivational Journals I distribute:
Choose a focus goal
Step one in my process of creating your own journal is to choose a focus.
In the past, I’ve chosen to focus on journaling for water intake, for example; a food tracking journal; an attitude improvement journal; healthy eating; prompts-based journal; even a relaxation journal.
The options are endless!
The point is, choose one thing, so each journal page relates to this main topic.
Check out a great example of this in my recently published journal, Fitness Manifestation Journal: Food + Mood Tracker.
2. Choose a theme
When creating your journal, choose a ‘theme’ you will follow throughout all the pages. At least, that’s how I do it.
For example, pick a color palette you will stick with, and then similar looking images, and maybe even borders that are cohesive. They might not match, but they flow.
Mainly, you want it to ‘flow’ and look nice, but not distract the user with too much overload. Pretty simple!
3. Decide how many pages go in each section
For example, you might have your journal broken up into sections, like “Morning Journal Prompts”, “Evening Journal Prompts”, “Relaxation Prompts”. So, basically decide how many pages go in each section so you will have balance. Then it makes it easier to figure out how much content to create for each section, so you aren’t spinning your wheels.
4. Determine a desired outcome (what result people get when they use this journal)
Much like deciding on the focus of your journal, decide on the exact result someone will get when using the journal.
For example, a Water Intake Journal will provide the result of the person either drinking the desired amount of water they want; giving them the opportunity to literally document their water intake as proof that they took action; or they might track the number of pounds they lose as a result of drinking water.
You want the person to get awesome results when they use your journal.
It helps a lot if those results can be documented, proven, or visual, so they can spread the word to their friends more easily!
5. Decide how often you (or the user) will be using this journal
By deciding on how often the person will be using the journal, you make it easier to organize content.
It also makes it easier for you to explain to the user how to use their journal.
For instance, your sections that say “Daily” or “Weekly” action steps, that’s a no-brainer. They know right away how often to use the journal.
However, if you have a huge group of journal prompts, you don’t want the person to become overwhelmed.
I suggest you tell them in the beginning of each section a suggested action to take.
For example, “In this section, I suggest taking 2 journal prompts per day to work on” as opposed to doing all 50 in one sitting. Makes it easier for people’s brains to grasp!
6. Decide on a way to conclude your journal
Concluding your journal can be as simple as ending with a “self-evaluation” or a “plan for the future.”
You want the person to look toward the future, and to have hope when they finish this journal.
You want them to feel that their lives have been greatly improved!
Here are example of how you can conclude your journal:
Include a “Self Evaluation” at the end.
Have a “Plan for the Future/Future Action Steps” page they can fill out
Include a suggested reading list for them, so they can enjoy similar content.
Write a thank you letter to them.
Include a poem you wrote, or one written by someone else
Have a parable/anecdote/story to end with, that is motivational and inspirational for them.
These are just several ways you can conclude!
7. Create a segway into the next journal
Lastly, you must include a way for the reader to get in touch with you.
List your contact information, as well as your social media accounts they can follow or look at.
You can also give them a list of related content you have produced, so they can segway right into their next journal — one written by you, and that you’re recommending!
8. Tell the world!
Now, you’ve created your outline for your new journal, congrats!
When you finish publishing your journal either digitally or you create physical copies, tell people about it.
Of course, social media is a great way to do it.
You can also literally hand out copies of your journal to people.
One of my first journals, I handed out first to my own church congregation. It’s a great way to get traction when people can have stuff in their hands.
Also, I suggest sending out a free copy of your journal to your email list, if you have one. Especially for bloggers with email lists, this is a great option.
I write more about sending content to your email list in this article, HERE: 4 Reasons To Start Email Marketing For Your Fitness Blog
Thanks for reading!
Follow me on Instagram for weekly journal prompts, as well as daily inspiration and ideas related to fitness journaling and creating healthy and sustainable habits. @hollyecimovic_design