Accountability and Weight Loss

One of the most important lessons I learned in going from a size 22 to an 8 is that accountability is a must in succeeding with weight loss. Sure, there are those pillars of strength out there kicking butt all by themselves, but that does not work for most us. 

Accountability can make all the difference in reaching our goals; it can help us stay on track and stick to our newly built (or still building) habits even when we're struggling.

Keeping ourselves accountable to ourselves is of course important, but often not enough to really help us stay the course. When we make a promise to someone else, or when we do this with another person, it can be a total game changer.

In my past weight loss efforts I had built layers upon layers of accountability, because when it comes to accountability: the more the better.

Some ideas on building layers of accountability:

1. Blog. Whether you already have a blog or start a new one it can be a priceless form of accountability. Share your journey. Be open. Be honest. You may be surprised how life changing this can be. It was for me! But don't just blog, get out there and find others going through the same things as you, or that have the same goals. The community and support can be amazing.
2. Get a workout buddy. Nothing can get you up and to the gym (or your living room, or out on a run...) like knowing someone else is counting on you to be there! Plus, you're doing the same for them. Win, win.
3. Find a text buddy, or email, or facebook message, or in real life, whatever works in your situation. I love this and find it hugely motivating. Find someone to check in with once a week on your goals, or even every day for your workouts like I used to do (via text at 4 am, it was one of the most effective things I've done). Whatever works for you and them. Again, knowing you are accountable to that other person is just priceless.
4. Use social media. Instagram, facebook, twitter, you tube... whatever form you choose you can share your meals, workouts, ups, downs, the whole journey. Check out some of the commonly used hashtags,like #fitfluential, #FFcheckin, #fitfam, #weightlossjourney, #weightloss, #fitness, or #paleo if that's your thing, or #bodyafterbaby, or #WW, you get the idea. I think you'll find others to follow and cheer on as well as those that will cheer on and encourage you. 

There is just nothing like declaring your goal out loud and allowing others to help keep you accountable. I learned this important lesson the last time around, but have not been using it post-baby. I keep saying I will, but I don't. That ends now.

Two things I will start right away for accountability:

1. #ffcheckin on instagram Monday-Friday (at least). I'm working on making a habit of setting out the workout I plan to do and all my gear the night before, so it will most likely be a pic of that and a blurb about how my day went.
2. Monthly weigh in posts here. I keep saying I will do weekly posts, but then I don't. Sometimes the progress I make in a week can seem discouraging, but it's about steady progress, so I am going to do monthly posts instead. Starting right now...

Post-baby I was about 216. Within the first 3 weeks I was down to 195. As I said in last week's post I've been going around and around since then. I was down to 190 after my dietbet and back up to 197 after the holidays.

This week: 195. That's a 2 pound loss.

Progress back in the right direction. I'll take it.

How can you/do you set up accountability for yourself?