Accountability

Accountability

Before we start on our journey... The Importance Of Accountability In Weight Loss

​Almost right out of the womb, we are taught the role of consequences.  The baby learns at a very young age, if I direct my hand in a certain way, the mobile will move.  As we move through the toddler stages, the role of consequences become a central part of our life.  

​The 3 year old is told, if you behave, you will get a trip to the toy store.  As a central part of our learning and action, we learn by action vs. consequence.  If you study hard, you'll get an A on an exam. ​

How does this all relate to accountability and weight loss?  Accountability is very similar to consequence.  Just like you have to answer to your Boss, Teacher, or a parent, or even your friends to get the desired outcome, accountability in weight loss works the same way.  If you have to answer to someone, you'll take the appropriate action, the right choices to help you lose weight. 
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Accountability is one of the most important factors in losing weight, or changing any behavior. When you have to report to someone else, when you feel a level of pressure, it tends to change how you think and act.

Different Kinds Of Accountability

The simple act of writing down everything you eat is a powerful form of accountability.  Being in an active group where everyone can follow your progress can also be an added lever.  You'll find that logging alone is quite effective.  You need to take this seriously- every day, consistency is key.

In weight loss as with many things in life, each step isn't all that difficult, but consistently doing it every day is, and we repeat, consistency is key. 
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The Role of Peer and Group Support In Weight Loss Accountability

When you are ready to begin to lose weight in earnest, group and peer support are the most highly proven methods for success.  It is one thing to learn how to lose weight and eat more healthy, it is another thing to put this into practice on a consistent basis.

Friends and family are of limited use because there is only so much burden they can bear.  Getting the support of a group of friends each day can make the critical difference.  

Self-monitoring is the other method, backed by volumes of research, that is highly correlated with weight loss success.  You keep a log of your food, exercise, goals and thoughts.  When you do this each day it keeps you accountable to yourself, and brings this aspect of your life to the top of your mental agenda.  

​When you are writing each day, you are thinking about the things you write about.  This begins to change how you think and facilitates better decision making.  When you make better decisions, and have a broad support network, you are very likely to lose weight for the long term.  When you do both these things, the odds of success increase dramatically. 

10 Ways to Stay Accountable for Weight Loss​

​​​Here are some little tricks and tools that can help you maintain accountability to the one person who really matters — you!

​​Tasks to perform

1.  Read the eBook to better understand these acts of accountability.

2.  When you use any of these forms of accountability,  you're saying to the world, I'm taking responsibility for reaching my goals. Hover over the accountability acts you're going to use to see your social media sharing option.
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3.  After clicking on the images below, hover over the image that appears,  3 social media buttons will appear in the top left hand corner of the image, simply select which of these 3 social media sites you wish to make yourself accountable on.