Keeping a diet and exercise journal is much like keeping track of the money you spend in that it lets you know what you’ve already done and it helps you to figure out what you need to do next. Some people who may think they lead a healthy lifestyle would be shocked to read about their daily diet and exercise habits.

A healthy diet and exercise regimen is essential for overall good health. Unfortunately, many people who aren’t overweight don’t give a second thought to their diet and exercise needs however obesity isn’t the only symptom of poor diet and exercise habits. For example, medical conditions such as heart disease and hypertension don’t just befall those who are obese. Since diet and exercise plays such a big part in both of these conditions, it seems only prudent that everyone consider their individual habits.

We’ve all known at least one person who seems to be able to eat absolutely anything and not gain weight. This doesn’t mean, however that they are getting a free pass. Artery clogging plaque may be building up and could lead to heart disease if greasy foods and saturated fat is a staple in their diet.

By the same token, the health benefits of exercise are such that even the slimmest of us need to exercise. Regular aerobic exercise reduces the risk for many major illnesses and diseases and while the obese may face a more serious risk, all of us can benefit from the health and psychological benefits of exercise.

It’s actually fun to keep an diet log because it encourages us to do better the next time. Just knowing we’re going to write down everything we eat can help us make wiser and more conscious choices. You might think twice about sitting down with a bag of potato chips if you knew you were going to write down how many chips you ate. In fact, just making the choice to limit your portion to a measurable size is a great first step.

Since you probably don’t want to write down that you consumed an entire bag of potato chips, if you’re committed to a journal, you may take the time to measure out a sensible portion first. Once you start taking these first steps, you’ll be amazed at the progress you’ll make and you’ll be more aware of the choices, good or bad, that you’re making.

The same goes for the exercise portion of the journal. If you write down that you walked a half mile three times in a week, you’ll have the incentive to increase that to a mile for the following week. By keeping a journal, you’ll be able to see your goals on paper and everything you’re doing to try and reach them.

The key of course, is to develop a healthy diet and exercise routine that becomes second nature to you. It is the on-again off-again programs that rarely work. It has to be a way of life. It’s amazing when you think about the number of people who don’t realize that your diet is the sum total of what you eat. Too many people mistakenly believe a diet is something you’re "on" and when you reach your goal (or before), you’ll go "off" of it. If instead, more people would realize that a healthy diet and exercise program is something that needs to be maintained all the time, we would be a much healthier people.

Another benefit to the constant maintenance of a diet and exercise program is that you never feel pressured because eating healthy and exercising regularly has become a way of life for you.