Today Iβm excited to be reviewing a product that combines two of my favorite things: a paper planner and health and fitness.
I was contacted a few months ago to see if I would be interested in reviewing the fitbook, which is a 12-week fitness and nutrition journal. I believe writing things down is a great way to hold yourself accountable when working on nutrition and fitness goals, so I was excited to see what this journal was all about! My original plan was to actually use the journal for a full 12 weeks and share my results, but then I was diagnosed with a torn tendon in my foot and that idea never materialized.
Luckily, I was able to use the fitbook for a little bit and really enjoyed it when I could exercise!
Features of the fitbook (from their website)
- 12-week goal-setting + reward system with tips + inspiration to keep you motivated and on track
- weekly planning pages to set goals, plan workouts + meals for the week ahead, and set rewards to motivate you
- record workouts daily to track progress, including space to record strength training, cardio, classes + flexibility
- food log to record healthy eats daily with space to jot down meals, macros + emotions, plus trackers for nutrients, vitamins, water + sleep
- weekly wrap-up pages to reward progress, reflect on your week + journal thoughts and inspiration
5 Things I Loved About Using fitbook
All things fitness: Unlike a regular paper planner, this journal is formatted specifically for your workouts. What is ironic is that literally right when I was contacted to review the fitbook, I was getting annoyed with tracking my workouts in my Erin Condren planner. Donβt get me wrong because I LOVE my EC planner. But keeping track of things like strength training and cardio workouts is sooooo much better in the fitbook, which is specifically designed for that.
Size: This journal is small and it is the perfect size to fit easily in my gym bag
Durability: The pages are nice and thick and the cover is extra durable. I wondered how a paper journal would do at the gym but I was pleasantly surprised how well it held up between my sweat and water bottle.
Formatting: I found that the amount of space on the page to write what I needed to write was pretty much perfect. Donβt you hate it when youβre filling something out and thereβs not enough room?
Nutrition: Since Iβm a dietitian, I obviously had to throw this one in there. I love that the fitbook includes a section about diet and nutrition. Proper nutrition is the foundation for fitness, and you cannot out-exercise a bad diet. Exercise and eating well go hand-in-hand, so I was very happy to see this incorporated into the journal. Two thumbs up from this RD.
Thoughts on the 12-Week Journal
I will be honest and say that I didnβt initially love the idea of a fitness journal that only lasted for 12 weeks. If you are like me and like to continuously work on health and fitness goals then a 12-week journal didnβt seem as appealing as a 6-month or 12-month journal.
But then after I had a chance to use the fitbook, I realized that 12 weeks is the perfect amount of time when youβre working towards a goal. So whether you are training for a marathon, trying to lose weight or maybe constantly in physical therapy (like me, lol), this is a great way to document your fitness progress.
A great gift idea: with the holidays coming up, I actually think this is the perfect gift if you have a friend or family member who is working on a health or fitness goal⦠especially with the new year being right around the corner!
Philosophy Behind fitbook
If you are interested in learning about the philosophy behind fitbook and what went into creating the product then check out this video made by the companyβs owner, Angela:
Giveaway
I am giving away fitbooks to 3 lucky readers: 1 original, 1 fitbook junior and 1 fitbook pregnancy journal. You can enter by doing any of the followingβ¦ donβt forget to log your entry into the raffleocopter giveaway:
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow me on Instagram
- Follow Grapefruit & Granola on Bloglovinβ
- Follow me on Pinterest
- Like my Facebook Page
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel (under construction but please follow!)
- Leave a comment letting me know a current health / fitness/ nutrition goal that you have
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I was sent fitbook products at no cost for the purposes of this review but all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting this blog!!
This would be a great resource to keep me on track with eating and my workouts :) I currently just use a lined paper notebook and MFP! Great giveaway!
It’s a really great way to organize your workouts :)
Great review! The Fit Book looks really nice and would be something I’d love to work with since I enjoy writing down and logging my workouts. Definitely a great gift idea!
Yes def the perfect gift idea!!
I really like how this planner looks! I’ve been looking into getting an Erin Condren planner and using it particularly for fitness goals. I like that this one focuses on health and fitness. I also like the 3 month period because you can really dive into fitness for a defined period…I probably wouldn’t sustain this for much longer.
The fitbook sounds cool. Thanks for posting it up!
How cool! I would love this to track my marathon training and my progress at CrossFit.
I had a fit book when they first came out looks like they have really advanced. Thanks for sharing.
What a cute book – such a great way to keep track of workouts! Love it!
I love that this planner includes pages for all of the fitness/diet oriented items that you need to track for optimal fitness. I’d love to use this as a way to help me get back to my pre-baby figure after my little guy arrives.
Sounds like a great resource! I need to start tracking more than just my running, now that my marathon is done.
I’ve not seen anything quite like this. This could be a motivating gift idea!
I always write down my workouts, but never consistently in one organized place. This would be really helpful!
Yes, I have this issue as well. Especially when I make notes of things at the gym. Good luck with the giveaway.
So excited to find another blog I love to keep up with! This fit planner sounds totally up my alley – I just started a program called Strong Lifts 5×5 and I’d love to use it to track my lifts and monitor progress :)
Sounds like this planner would be a great way to keep track of your workouts. Thanks for stopping by!
What a great way to get motivated! I try using apps to track workouts, but I’ve always liked paper tracking better. Thanks for the review!
I agree with the apps. I start out using them but I generally don’t like them.
I would use the planner to track progress, log workouts and nutrition. I’m a pen and paper planner person too.
Nice to meet you Sam!
Pen and paper gal all the way <3
I adore this planner! I’ve been looking for a way I can consistently journal my fitness efforts and I’ve found paper is the best way for me. The Fitbook’s section on nutrition clinches it for me as the ideal companion on my journey to get back to a healthy weight and climb a mountain (literally climb a mountain).
I agree that the nutrition section is an awesome addition to this planner!
This is a great idea! I agree that it would be nice to have something that lasts a little longer, but you’re right in that it’s the perfect length for reaching a specific goal. This would make an amazing stocking stuffer!
It’s definitely designed for goal-setting. Thanks for entering :)
I think this planner would be great to motivate me to get back in the gym & to correct my eating habits so that I can get my body healthy again! I’ve had such a hard year with my weight and fitness goals and I would love to find something to help keep my motivation levels up :)
xoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista
I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard year in that area. This planner would definitely be an awesome motivation to get you back on track :)
I would love to use the fitbook for myself. I need to keep try track of my food and exercise better. I really don’t like using my computer.
Hi Arlinda- I don’t like to use my computer either! I like that this book is so small and fits into my gym bag easily. Good luck with the giveaway :)
Thanks Sam. I have all my workouts planned on my computer and I hate logging on prior to working out.
Thank you for such a detailed review providing useful feedback. My husband and I just found out we are expecting our first child!!! Our family is over the moon. I think the Fitbook mama2B would help me stay on top of vital nutrients and exercise during my first pregnancy and keep me organized so I can effectively relay information to my doctor.
Congratulations!
I would use the planner to finally train for another long race! Maybe a Thanksgiving/Christmas 10K or 1/2 marathon :)
I would love a fitbook. I’ve used different food/fitness journals before and they have held me accountable. Looking to use a new one, and this one looks like I would like.