Hiring a trainer or joining a group for weight loss accountability is definitely a smart move. Having the support of others can motivate you stick to your goals, it can inspire you to find solutions when things aren’t working, and will most definitely help you get back on track when things have fallen apart.
The catch is that at some point you must learn to be self accountable and for some that’s hard to do without having support from others. Here are the top 3 tips that will help you practice this valuable skill so you can achieve your weightloss faster and continue to live a healthy lifestyle long after you reach your ideal weight.
Accountability Isn’t Babysitting
Are you paying your trainer or weight loss group for accountability or babysitting? Is there really a difference? If you’ve ever watched a full season of Biggest Loser then you know the contestants often need a lot of “babysitting” at the beginning of the show but by the end of the season some of the contestants are accountable to themselves with virtually no support from their trainers. Healthy Weight Loss Tip #1: The people you hire (or hang out with online) for support are not your babysitters. They are there to guide you and/or help you, not do the work for you. To reach your ideal weight and live a healthy lifestyle you need to practice being accountable to yourself more often. Doing this motivates you to take action towards your goal instead of relying on somebody else to motivate you to do what's necessary.
Accountability Means Responsibility
So what exactly does it mean to be accountable? Do you have to keep a detailed account of your diet and exercise, have a showdown with yourself when things get off track, or punish yourself for bad choices? Accountability is actually easier than you think. It’s not about reporting every detail in a journal or on a blog daily (that helps but is not what's most important). Accountability is about taking responsibility for your actions. Healthy Weight Loss Tip #2: Take responsibility by focusing on the outcome of your actions. For example, if you eat a snickers bar and your energy levels crash and then you fail to workout then beating yourself up about the missed workout is the wrong approach. Instead focus on taking responsibility for the type of snacks you have before a workout. You can also address why you were craving a snickers bar in the first place by paying attention to what you ate earlier that day. Focus on the outcome you want and you get instant responsibility and accountability.
Accountability Is Forever
Imagine what would happen if every one of those weight loss success stories you see on Biggest Loser threw accountability out the window the minute they got back home. Some of them do and they gain a lot of weight back but those who don’t continue to live a healthy lifestyle for years. Healthy Weight loss Tip #3: Accountability and responsibility don’t end when you reach your ideal weight. To maintain your results and continue to live a healthy lifestyle you need to be accountable to yourself forever. The good news is this skill gets easier and easier the more you practice it.
Start living a healthy lifestyle at your ideal weight faster with strategies from 100 Days of Weight Loss: The Secret to Being Successful on Any Diet Plan
