Silent tracking in the first week is normal. Scanning happens at hubs, not continuously.

Test one thing at a time. It feels slower and it is the only way to learn anything.

What is the first thing you would read if you were starting from zero?

Sleep first. Bad night, bad day, more symptoms. Fix that before changing anything else.

Sorry for the basic question, but how do you actually start one of these diaries?

I would stop trying to convey how bad it is and start saying what you want them to do.