Accountability is important factor in being
successful with your weight-loss goals. Many people try to lose weight on their
own only to find themselves back where they started. We need that voice of
reason, stability, and rationality encouraging us to persevere and not give up.
That is why having a friend or a coach is a vital component in helping you
reach your goals.
A friend can usher you to a place of
break through when you want to give in to that chocolate cake or bag of chips.
When that inevitable time comes, it can be hard to stay focused and get back on
track. Accountability partners encourage you to move forward when quitting
would be the easiest route.
Here are some ways to stay accountable:
·
Set up a healthy eating plan. Ask
your accountability partner to check with you every day to see if you are
sticking with it and to not allow you to cheat. If you need education on
nutrition and what you should be eating, hire an expert to help you
·
Journal. Record your meals, snacks
as well as, feelings that trigger your unhealthy eating. A coach can bring
authority and expertise where as a friend may only offer suggestions.
·
Create a Timeline. When
setting up accountability for yourself, establishing a realistic but aggressive
timeline will help you succeed. For example, "I want to lose 10
pounds" is not as effective as "I want to lose 10 pounds by my
birthday." For large goals, benchmarks are an important part of the
timeline. Instead of deciding to lose 48 lbs. in a year, commit to losing 4
lbs. per month for 12 months. This keeps you on track for success instead of
pushing hard in the last weeks of your timeline.
·
Rewards. Building rewards into your weight-loss accountability may
help keep you on track also. Give
yourself some kind of recognition as you reach different benchmarks. For some,
this may mean a new outfit in the size you are striving to reach, or a spa day.
I recommend for weight-loss goals, not to have food-based rewards. This sets
you up for defeat.
After you begin seeing results, momentum will build and you may not need
to have an accountability partner although, it doesn't hurt to have someone
asking you every now and then how you’re doing. If you could use accountability, support and
education, consider joining my Transitions Lifestyle class. Contact me for more
information.
