Accountability refers to an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions, according to a google search I just did. For many of us (myself included here), personal fitness is something that we are not good at being held accountable to ourselves for. My pets: I did the research, i buy the expensive food without fillers, I use natural shampoos, make sure their water is filtered and delicious and that they are drinking enough of it, they are getting enough play time as well as shnuggle time, the list goes on…. Do I take that much care with myself? Goodness no! Half my weight in ounces of water per day? HA! That’s laughable… Even though I know I should! Working out for me is no different. If I just think to myself, “I’m going to do some pole conditioning today, and then stretch for half an hour after.” Chances are, that workout is not going to happen. I’m really good at coming up with excuses or alternative things to do instead. BUT – if I tell someone else my plans, like my husband for example, he reminds me “weren’t you supposed to condition?” and that little push from him is all I need to get my butt in gear.
Previously – I had a special planner that I put all of my workouts in. I was so good at documenting and keeping track of everything. Looking through the pages and having the satisfaction of seeing what I’d done was enough motivation to want to fill the pages… then winter happened and life got crazy busy. Between the annual show and choreographing for the school musical, my own workouts suffered and I fell off the wagon. It became so hard to find the motivation to get back at it. So I started reaching out to others to help me be accountable.
My current strategy is a workout buddy. If I plan a workout date with someone else, I will not back out on that person. They are depending on me to be there for them to get their workout in, and I will not leave her high and dry. I know that according to some (the stereotypical voices in my head?) I should develop more will power and just workout because I want to… but I’m not there! I need other people’s help to keep me accountable, and that’s okay!