I’m a data person by nature. But more than that, I’m a solo parent, a professional, and a person with a full, demanding life—and tracking certain things helps me stay grounded, accountable, and clear-headed. I’ve been tracking aspects of my health and well-being for years now, and I’ve found that a little consistent data can go a long way in helping me make better decisions, understand myself more clearly, and stay on track with what matters.

Daily Mood Tracking: Four Years and Counting

Every day for the past four years, I’ve tracked my mood. It takes less than 30 seconds, and yet it’s become one of the most powerful self-awareness tools I have. Over time, I’ve started to notice real patterns: how certain behaviors, choices, and external factors—like sleep, exercise, food, and even social interactions—impact how I feel. I can now tell when I’m on the edge of a slump, or when I’m trending upward. More importantly, I’ve gotten better at regulating my moods and making small changes that shift things in a better direction.

If you’ve never tracked your mood before, I highly recommend trying it. You don’t need a complicated app—a simple 1–5 scale and a few words about your day can be enough. For me, the consistency is what creates the insight.

Fitbit: Steps, Sleep, and Zone Minutes

I wear a Fitbit every day, and I rely on it for more than just a step count. Yes, it keeps me honest about moving my body—I try to hit a daily minimum number of steps—but it also gives me information I wouldn’t otherwise have.

I check my sleep data regularly, and I’ve come to understand how closely my sleep quality aligns with my mood, productivity, and patience (especially as a solo parent). The heart rate zone minutes are another favorite feature. They show me how many minutes I’ve spent doing heart-elevating exercise each week, which helps me track whether I’m hitting the recommended physical activity benchmarks. I don’t always hit my targets, but I’m always aware—and that awareness is a win.

I also use Fitbit to track my menstrual cycle, which adds another layer of understanding to mood and energy levels. It’s not always fun to look at this data, but it’s helpful.

MyFitnessPal and Healthy Calorie Tracking

I use MyFitnessPal to track my calories and meals. Do I love it? Not really. But it’s become a valuable accountability tool. It keeps me honest about what I’m eating, and it gives me insight into patterns I might not notice otherwise. I’ve made better food choices because I’m more aware of what I’m actually eating—and what foods help me feel full, energized, and steady.

At the same time, I’ve always been cautious. I knew calorie tracking could veer into unhelpful territory if I became too obsessive with it. That’s where the Calories In Calories Out (CICO) subreddit has made a big difference for me. It’s full of real people sharing both inspirational weight loss journeys and the mindset tools they’ve used to stay mentally healthy while tracking.

Reading through CICO, I’ve learned how others regulate their thoughts and feelings around weighing themselves, tracking calories, and avoiding perfectionism. It’s helped me develop a balanced approach: track for awareness, not for punishment. Some days I’m on target, some days I’m not—but I’ve learned not to spiral. The examples in that community remind me that progress is built on consistency, not rigidity.

Smart Scale Tracking: More Than Just a Number

I also weigh myself regularly using a smart scale that tracks far more than just weight. It gives me data like fat-free body mass, total muscle weight, abdominal fat, and a handful of other metrics that sometimes feel a little excessive—but they’re also fascinating. I don’t get hung up on any single number, but I’ve been surprised by how motivating it can be to see those figures shift over time as I get stronger and leaner.

Weight can be a tricky thing to track emotionally, but because I’ve put intentional guardrails around how I approach it, I’ve found it helpful rather than harmful. The scale isn’t a judgment—it’s just another piece of information. And taken with everything else I track, it helps me see the bigger picture.

Why I Track—and Why I Keep Going

Tracking these pieces of my life—mood, steps, sleep, cycle, calories, weight—isn’t about control. It’s about awareness. Over time, I’ve built up a sense of what works for me, what throws me off, and how to adjust without spiraling. These tools don’t fix anything on their own, but they’ve made me better at taking care of myself.

As a data person, I see these metrics as tools that help me live better. They give me clarity, motivation, and a way to measure progress in a world that often feels chaotic. Tracking helps me tap into my health in a more intentional way—and that intentionality has made all the difference.

If you’re curious about tracking but aren’t sure where to start, my advice is simple: pick one thing. Track it consistently for a month. See what you learn. You might be surprised.