What the Biggest Loser Can Teach You About Accountability

Hi there!

As a new blogger for Patch, I'll be writing from the perspective of a transformation coach (cause that's who I am!) about all things wellness, including fitness, healthy weight change, body acceptance, nutrition, positive thinking, and more. I'll likely borrow from my own blog at Truce coaching, as well as ask my fabulous colleagues at South Riding Wellness Connection to chip in with their thoughts and goings-on (we've got a lot cooking up over there!) I hope you enjoy, get inspired to make some changes in your own life, and visit often.

~ Sarah

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If left to our own devices, we humans would likely take the lazy route. Accountability is therefore quite useful in many areas of life.

Being accountable means you are answerable to another person for your declared responsibilities or commitments. Employees are accountable to their managers at performance reviews. Students are accountable to their teachers; kids to parents; spouses to each other.

Accountability is especially essential at the beginning of a habit change, such as reducing sugar intake, or for a specific project you just can’t seem to maintain on your own, such as de-cluttering your home. Your accountability partner serves to motivate, advise, and keep you persevering, so he/she is a brilliant support in helping you build your character and integrity.

In 1998, I ran my first (and so far only) marathon with the support of Team In Training. Had I not committed to show up to Saturday morning long runs or promised to sponsor a little boy with leukemia, I’m not sure I would’ve finished (or at least finished well.) I was able to rely on the experience and camaraderie of other runners, the expertise of a coach, and a shared vision–-far superior than going it alone.

Sometimes accountability is already in place, and other times you have to engineer the circumstances yourself. i.e. Sign up with an accountability coach to organize your life and write that book you’ve put off, or for a Biggest Loser challenge to eat healthy and slim down.

In fact, there's a Chantilly community Biggest Loser challenge coming up in just another week (kickoff March 3) that you don't want to miss. This particular challenge, sponsored by South Riding Wellness Connection as well as Gateway Community Church, is so chock-full of top-level support from an incredible band of wellness professionals that I'm thrilled to be a part of it. It's accountability times ten.

There's something to be said for setting out on a bold adventure and brand-new way of living with like-minded people.

If you decide to join this 14-week mind, body, spirit program, you'll get the chance to choose a path of your own creation--one that is freeing, energizing, and joyful (i.e. in sync with my own perspective on wellness, which most definitely includes ice cream!)

Read all the details and sign up today. We start Saturday, March 3!

Otherwise, find a serious, kick-butt kind of friend to help.

*This blog originally appeared as "How to Get Things Done When You're Totally Unmotivated" in the Truce Blog: A Fresh Angle on Living Beyond Measure.