USMS has finally released it's new fitness logs (FLOGs), available to members. This is indeed a big change.
Unfortunately, for me, this is not easily adaptable to my needs. I have developed and kept my own personal fitness log over the last 15 years, tailored to my own special needs, and don't see how the new FLOGs at USMS can duplicate that effort without some major changes.
The principal example is what I do for exercise. There are a substantial number of available categories but two of my main ones are missing (rowing and cross-country skiing). I realize that I can put these in as 'other' but, because two exercises are mixed together, it is not so easy to look at results over the long haul. Further, as the years have gone by, I have added additional categories and would like to be able to do the same with the FLOGs.
Two other fitness categories that I use are Maximum Heart Rate (supposed to decay with age, as you know, but does it really?) and blood pressure. Neither of these are available in the USMS FLOGs.
I think that, to make the new FLOGs useful for everyone, they need to be individually configurable. I don't do pilates or yoga so, if those categories could be replaced, for me, by cross-country skiing and rowing that would take care of the exercise part. Having the ability to add other fitness measures would also help.
What I'm suggesting is the ability to have interactive programmable code for the entry input panel. Since I haven't programmed for years in HTML (and never in Java), I'm not sure how doable this is.
The final problem is merging records from past years. My fitness log is Excel based and the ability to import these data would be very valuable. I probably would not choose to hand-type the thousands of entries. That means that I cannot easily compare multiple years graphically or in table form. Somehow, this defeats the purpose of my chain of fitness records.
If these problems can be overcome I would anticipate transferring my logs over to USMS. If they cannot be dealt with, then definitely not.
One really nice feature of the FLOGs is having the data in one place and not having personally to deal with the archiving. USMS is certainly on the right track here, its just that the Devil is in the details. One of my thoughts is that this would give great incentive to many more people to keep fitness logs. In the long run this will produce a database of absolutely invaluable information to see how fit people age and what they have to do as they age to keep fit. A couple of years ago, I issued a challenge on these Discussion Forums for people to post summaries of their yearly fitness records. There was not a single response, even though many people looked at the thread. It was discouraging to me to think that not many people consider this important. Hopefully, the new FLOGs would 'right' that situation.
I started using the FLOG soon after joining USMS, in February, and I love it! Thanks, Jim, for all your hard work!:applaud:
What works for me is using a dive slate (www.scuba.com) to keep track of everything. The night before my swim, I write down the workout I hope to get done before the Noodlers arrive and kick me out of the pool. In between sets, I write down my splits, times, and HR, before I move on to the next thing. When I get home, I refer to my dive slate when I enter my workout into my FLOG.
This is an easy way to keep track of your workout without having to remember everything, so I highly recommend it! :banana:
Just started using FLOG.
My Masters Team coaches suggested it several times. Most of the time they are right about everything - so much cumulative experience.
But I was skeptical. I didn't get the impression it was something new.
It's not totally new but, it works for me - way more helpful than I thought.
This is clumsy, but my new system is: one online log for counting calories, FLOG to track training, and a daybook for combining workout log with other important dates - like doctor visits and planning ahead for travel, etc.
Only overlap among them is the "official" weekly weigh in on Monday AM.
Together they somehow seem to help my motivation and discipline better than any one of them alone and better than other combinations I've tried (and that's a bunch, including cycling logs, home made notebooks, and several tries at making spreadsheets).
NEWBIE QUESTION: I accidentally entered Monday's weight 3 times. Is there a way to erase the duplicates? Looks too cluttered this way.
Thanks.
Just started using FLOG.
My Masters Team coaches suggested it several times. Most of the time they are right about everything - so much cumulative experience.
But I was skeptical. I didn't get the impression it was something new.
It's not totally new but, it works for me - way more helpful than I thought.
This is clumsy, but my new system is: one online log for counting calories, FLOG to track training, and a daybook for combining workout log with other important dates - like doctor visits and planning ahead for travel, etc.
Only overlap among them is the "official" weekly weigh in on Monday AM.
Together they somehow seem to help my motivation and discipline better than any one of them alone and better than other combinations I've tried (and that's a bunch, including cycling logs, home made notebooks, and several tries at making spreadsheets).
NEWBIE QUESTION: I accidentally entered Monday's weight 3 times. Is there a way to erase the duplicates? Looks too cluttered this way.
Thanks.
Click on the actual workout and then you can delete it.
To access the FLOG, you need to sign into your "My USMS" account. Once signed in, it's on the front page under "Available USMS Member Online Services". Personally, I love using the FLOG and, crazy as it sounds, it helps me get to the pool on those days I don't feel like going. After all, who wants to have a blank day....
I use the FLOG to track my GTD. It's very similar to my other on-line log.
But one thing that has been bothering me is the progress towards your goal.
my goal for 2010 was to reach 500,000m (roughly 312miles)
But the indicater has shown that I have reached my goal 100% ever since I passed the daily goal pace.
So instead of saying: "Congratulations! you have achieved your GTD goal for the year" maybe it should say something like, keep up the good work, you are on track to meet or exceed your GTD goal.
next year my goal will be the 500mile (800km) which is roughly 16,650 a week. if I swim extra now the first week in jan it won't feel right that it shows I have reached my goal for 2011 in just one week only because I am on track.
also i think there is something wrong with the your goal pace. it says my goal pace as of today is 257 my current pace is 309 after todays workout. with only 3 days left in the year one would think my goal pace as of today should be closer to 310 since I swim less than 1 mile a day.
