Having accountability is key to the weight loss process. What makes it so effective is that it puts you in a position to have someone other than yourself to give an answer to. I strongly believe that anytime there is a change to be made in your life it helps to have someone other than yourself to hold you accountable.
When I first started my weight loss journey, the first few months I was pretty much a lone ranger. It wasn’t until I realized I needed someone other than myself to be accountable to that things started to turn around for me.
So when it comes to looking for someone to be an accountability partner, what should you look for? You can’t just ask anyone because the wrong person can demotivate you and sabotage your efforts. Here’s a few things to consider when selecting the perfect accountability partner for you.
Know What Your Goals Are
It’s important to know what you are working towards especially when you invite others into your journey. It’s easy to get swept away with what others would have for you to do. But if you know the goals that you have for yourself, and share them with conviction and transparency, your efforts will not be throttled by trying to please someone other than yourself. A good accountability partner will remind you of the things you wish to accomplish and will support you along the way.
Regular and Scheduled Contact
Having someone with whom you can have regular and scheduled contact with is important. Having someone to “check in” with lessens your chances of putting it off. When you know you have to “show up” and give an account for what you did or didn’t do, it will put fire under your butt to do what you committed yourself to do. Having a standing appointment provides you with an added layer of accountability.
Trust and Non-Judgmental
When you’re trying to lose weight, it really helps to have someone you trust and can confide in and bounce ideas off of. Someone who will not judge you or shame you. When it comes to the struggles and challenges you face on your journey, it helps to have someone to talk to and share your vulnerabilities with. You want to be able to trust the person so that you can be open and transparent in order to be free. You want someone who will not judge you for a slip up or shame you to do better. That approach doesn’t work and is the quickest way to stop you in your tracks and hinder your progress.
Been There Done That
Being able to receive support from someone who knows the struggle because they have been there themselves is priceless. I don’t know about you but I find inspiration from someone who has actually been where I am and has overcome the obstacles I’m currently facing. Someone who understands the struggle not because they read about it but because they’ve actually walked a mile in your shoes. Someone like this can empathize with your challenges and encourage you to not give up. They will also be a constant reminder of what’s possible for you.
Your Turn To Share
What things are important to you when considering who to ask to be your accountability partner?