Requirement

5. Measure yourself BEFORE you start

Required Often forgotten

The pre-assessment. Everything requirement 7 shows improvement against is recorded here, and it cannot be done afterwards.

Warning. This whole requirement happens BEFORE the twelve weeks start. It is the single most common way this badge goes wrong, and it cannot be put right except by starting the programme again.

What this is made of

5(a). Take every test you defined, and record the results
5(b). Name your strongest and weakest area, and pick a target
5(c). Log what you eat and drink for three days
5(d). Set two diet and nutrition goals from that log

Where this step comes from

Personal Fitness Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-12-31), Requirement 5 · "Before beginning the 12-week program in requirement 7".

Notes and warnings

What this is made of

Where this step comes from