Module 1: Task 2a - Reflective Practice

Commencing a journal

I have never been one to keep journals for long. However when I have done, I have found them to be very useful.

One example is the journal that I keep to record my time spent at the gym. Although I am not a bodybuilder or a gym monkey, I am very keen on the science behind the sport, along with the fact that keeping fit and in good physical form is something I consider important for my profession. I read a lot of material to increase my knowledge with a view to improving my training. The reason I keep a record results from advice given in an encyclopaedia written by Arnold Schwarzenegger. (The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, pub. 1985)

The reason for doing this is that we almost never feel the same every day. Somedays we feel energetic and active, whilst on other days we feel the contrary. On a typical day, when I feel active and motivated, I record every exercise that I do. (Which exercise, how heavy, how many repetitions, any notes i.e pains etc). I continue to record this information throughout my time in the gym. Occasionally, the day arrives when I feel lethargic, tired and unmotivated to exercise. I know that if it was left to my own free will, I would not work anywhere near as hard as I normally would and should. This is where my journal comes into play. 

To ensure progression in my training regime, the journal's job is to make sure I continue to work hard no matter how I am feeling. I refer back to my journal and see  what I did on the previous occasion. I may have been lifting 90kg, for example, instead of the reduced weight I would be tempted to use, I ensure that on today, even though it's a 'bad' day, I still lift the 90kg. This forces my body to continue to work hard when lacking the mental drive or motivation. 

I can also keep track on my progression and see which exercises work well and which do not, allowing me to modify my workouts to optimise my time spent training. I can also keep an eye on any injuries or weaknesses. Once I reach the physical form and aesthetics that I am content with, I then have a record of the level of work required to regain the form should I encounter a period of inactivity. 

Here's an excerpt from my gym diary from Jan 2015. You can see it that it is very basic but informative.

There are one or two annotations where I have pointed out some issues.

You may notice the tick boxes. This is a method I use to combine both a 'to-do' list and a diary.  

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I can understand how keeping a journal of my own thoughts on the current part of the module will equally well have it's benefits for reference later on in the course. I will commence the task of keeping the journal with a simple approach by setting aside a time every day where I can quickly type down my thoughts and recordings just as I would with my 'gym diary'. I prefer to have text to refer back to instead of images, audio or video (although I may use them to compliment my text). I find that I am aware of having to be more descriptive in what I write down in comparison to when I record audio dictations or videos. I'm looking forward to seeing how my thoughts and opinions change throughout the course. I am also very much intrigued to see how using different methods of journal writing will improve and develop my process of learning.