Accountability: The Key to Making Health Happen

When was the last time you tried to make a positive change in your life? 

Yesterday? Last week? Last month?

Now let me rephrase that question.

When was the last time you made a positive change in your life?

The two questions are really quite different. The first infers an attempt – with no real solid commitment. It’s not surprising then, to get a less grounded response. I tried to eat better. I tried to cut out caffeine. I tried to be active today. I tried to go to bed earlier. I tried, in my line of work, is often followed by the word but. But is the exception, and usually the reason why the try failed.

The second question infers an action and a sense of doing. The response expects some sort of accomplishment through commitment. I ate better. I cut out caffeine. I was active. I went to bed earlier. No excuses, just execution. Accountability, with many people, helps pave the way.

Accountability is King
One of the best ways to make any sort of commitment stick is to become accountable to something or someone. When it comes to getting healthy, accountability is invaluable. Marathon training groups, personal trainers and weight loss groups thrive because they each create a clear path to reach some greater physical objective.

For many, accountability is the set of jumper cables for a lifestyle in need of becoming healthier. Having worked in health and fitness for the past 15 years, I’ve seen the greatest success stories come from those who have workout buddies. Whether it’s showing up for an appointment with a personal trainer or getting on a bike with a group of "regulars" from spinning class, the expectation that something will happen creates a greater willingness to execute on an action.

The goal, of course, is that repetitive action becomes a habit that no longer requires a warm body to be there. Eventually, you become accountable to yourself. Workouts no longer require a personal trainer, and the morning alarm goes off for a spinning class with or without friends. Once the bar has been raised and you’ve achieved results for a long enough time (you’re fitter, you weigh less, your cholesterol has dropped), it’s less likely that you’ll stray off the path.

Creating Healthy Accountability in Your Life
A great deal of job satisfaction in the workplace is the result of having clear expectations of what it is you're supposed to do. Typically, those objectives are set by your boss. Ultimately, you're accountable to this person, who, if done properly, has created a support system for you to succeed in your position. Now it's up to you to do the work. 

Translate that to your health. Today more than ever, companies are creating incentives for their employees to better manage their own personal health. It behooves a company to have a fitter, happier and healthier team. Insurance premiums drop, morale goes up and everyone wins. The challenge is in creating a support system. A gym membership, wearable technology or monthly cash allowance might be nice, but unless a personalized support system in in place, accountability and participation will drop.

Simple Support for Better Health
Getting healthier doesn't require permission, over-analysis or a lot of time. It does, however, require a willingness and initially, a good amount of support. Here are a few tips to start getting healthier (whether in the office or at home) today:

• Find a buddy: We spend a lot of time in the office. Find a person or group of people who share similar objectives to yours. Cheer each other on. Plan regular lunches, go for walks or share healthy resources. Healthy living is contagious.
• Food before fitness: Not to understate the importance of fitness, but it's important to remember you can't exercise away a bad diet. Know that what you eat and drink will greatly dictate how you feel and move, as well as what you see on the scale.
• Keep a food journal: Track what you eat every single day for three weeks. At the very least, you're accountable to yourself. It's amazing how less likely you'll be to grab a handful of candy off someone's desk when you know you'll be writing it down. I never recommend to count calories, rather monitor portions - even with healthy foods. A few simple ground rules to start: eat from smaller plates, don't take the extra side of bread and avoid sugary drinks.
• Focus on 2 to 3 quality workouts a week: You don't need to workout every single day. One of the big reasons people don't exercise is because they think it's all or nothing. That couldn't be further from the truth. Something is always better than nothing. It's a good idea to move as much as possible everyday, but when it comes to workouts, all you need to do is focus on 2 to 3 workouts a week...and make them count. To get you going, here are a few gym-free workouts. They're short and can be done anywhere. Make a date with a co-worker or group of friends once or twice a week to do these workouts.
• Have a goal in mind, and share it: Goals help give a timeframe, and timeframes help keep people accountable. Amplify this goal by sharing it with your support system. Chances are, each person in your support system will have goals, too. Want to run three miles straight by the New Year? Trying to break your sugar addiction? Need to drop a few pounds? Great. Your support system is there to root you on. 

No matter what you choose to do, or who you decide to surround yourself with, change is necessary. The only way change can happen is by doing something different. Change isn't always comfortable, but when it's for your health, it's always worth it. 

Traci D Mitchell is a health and fitness professional, author of The Belly Burn Plan and founder of IMPACT Corporate Weight Management Solutions.