Who's responsible for accountability?!?

"It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." Moliere

I was recently asked a question on how to keep yourself accountable.  Who does keep/hold me accountable?  This is a tough question for so many reasons.  There's really not just one person that helps with this but there is one person that is the most important: YOURSELF!  You are the most important person in this equation. 

I've entered challenges and hired trainers to help to hold me accountable for making it to the gym BUT it really came down to myself getting up and going to the gym.  I recently had to let my trainer go because I could no longer afford it especially with the kids being at home during the summer eating me out of house & home (I know you other moms know what I mean) & then the amount it costs to entertain them.  Cha-ching!  Anyway, I had to let my trainer go for the summer and I told her that it was a good opportunity for me to rely only on myself.  I've been successful this summer with making it to the gym.  I've gotten my daughter where she likes to go with and sometimes she'll even do Zumba with me! 

So here are a few tips for ACCOUNTABILITY:

Make friends with people who already work out!  They will inspire you to be your best and they've already conquered the accountability mountain.

Tell your friends & family about your goals and flat-out ask them for their help.  They'll understand and it's important to know that your friends & family want you to be healthy just as much as you want that for yourself.

Make friends with the people at the gym...the ones that greet you!  It's nice to hear "Hi Maureen" when I walk in the door.  They know who you are, recognize when you are coming in or aren't and for some reason, this helps me with accountability.  Seems pretty simple, right?

When it comes to making yourself go to the gym, GO no matter how many bad excuses you can come up with.  It's instant gratification and you will feel like you've conquered yourself & for me, there's no better feeling.

Get your kids involved.  I think they are one of our greatest resources and they want you to be healthy and feel good because when Mommy is happy EVERYONE is happy!  I talk to my kids about my goals and that I am trying to lose weight and be healthy.  My little one is really good about reminding me that certain things will make me fat or that she doesn't want me to eat that or I'll get fat again.  Kids are so honest and it's really easy to put the twinkie down when it comes from the mouths of babes.

I know we are all guilty of raiding our kids snacks & overeating SO designate a drawer to just the kids & tell them it is just for them.  Let them choose the snacks they like but limit how much they can eat of it.  If I buy my kids fruit roll-ups, they are allowed to have one per day (that goes for all other snacks too).  This is a good time to instill in them that everything is ok in moderation.  Tell them that this drawer is only for them and it's off limits to Mommy &/or Daddy if he's on the bandwagon.  They will take great pride in their snack drawer and remind you when you are raiding it that it's only theirs!

My husband is also really good about holding me accountable.  I never really appreciated what he does, my typical response is to get mad.  However, when he looks at me holding the spoonful of cherry icing and says "Really, babe?" it snaps me right back into reality and I rethink eating it.  He's my witness...he knows my downfalls & when I give into temptation.  Ask for your partners help and honestly, I think it's better to bite his head off then eating that icing/candy bar/ice cream in your hand.  :)  He also knows how good I feel about myself when I get back from the gym.  When I don't want to go, he's the first to encourage me and say GO, you'll feel good about it!  LOVE THAT GUY!

Let's tackle the laundry.  I cannot tell you how many times I have gone to my friends house and the clean laundry is piled up in the floor.  What is that about?  My favorite trick to tackling the laundry and getting it put away is the instant it comes out of the dryer (right when the dryer stops so the laundry doesn't get wrinkled), is to separate it and fold it on my bed.  This also limits the amount of ironing I have to do (which is NONE).  I can't go to bed until the laundry is put away.  So I call in the troops (the kids have to put their own laundry away) and they put it away while I'm putting mine away too so I can get to my bed and get my precious sleep.

That's all for now.  I think this will be an ongoing list.  If you've got ideas that have helped you, let me know, I'll include them.  I think it's important to remember that you are the MOST important part of this equation.  Rely mostly on yourself and reward yourself (not with food) for each step along the way!  Look at your past and see how far you've come.  You've already conquered so many things in your life, this is just another one to add to your belt!  The strength WILL come from within and you WILL do awesome!  Go get-em!  :)