Hitch Fit: Why Accountability?

Accountability is essential for so many efforts in our daily lives. Whether you’re looking to quit smoking, save money, lower your caffeine intake, or read a book by a certain date, you need a bit of help along the way. Book clubs keep you on track with the group’s chosen reading material, support groups help those trying to eliminate cigarettes from their lives, and financial advisors are available to show you just how easy it is to save money. If you trust others in these areas, how much more should you trust others with your fitness goals?

The Many Faces Of Accountability

Whether it’s a friend or an online personal trainer – you need some accountability. Let’s say you have decided to hit the gym before work 3 times a week. On the third day, your alarm doesn’t go off, and when you do wake up, you don’t feel too bad about it, having enjoyed sleeping in. With that day missed, you’ve decided working out in the morning “just isn’t for you.” If you had asked a friend to join you 3 times a week at the gym, that friend would have been calling to find out where you were, and that they were bummed you missed the session! Accountability in this instance would have helped you achieve the first complete week of your fitness mission.

The instructors or trainers teaching the class you’re attending are investing in your fitness goals as well. They’ve made it a point to show up at the gym for you. Even if you are joining a class for the first time – they are there for you. Your healthy goals are why they show up. And on that note…

They’re Not All Mean

Just because a trainer pushes you harder than you think you can go, doesn’t mean they are pushing negativity into your life. They aren’t the bad guy! Don’t think of accountability partners, whether a fitness buddy or personal trainer, as the annoying person who’s going to berate you if you don’t show up. These people are in your life because you have chosen them to help you in your journey. Allow them to help by popping up when you need them the most – that moment you feel lazy. Look forward to their phone call, because it means they want to help you succeed in your dreams.

Self-Accountability

Obtaining accountability partners is essential to succeeding. It is also necessary in order to boost your self-accountability. Hard work and commitment is needed when pursuing your lofty fitness goals. You will need the help of your accountability partners, as well as some strong self-motivation. Focus will be required in order to maintain your own sense of accountability to the prize at the end of the race. Find out why you want to achieve this particular goal – and then own it.