Make fitness a piece of cake with accountability

I often wish exercise was a piece of cake…I like cake…It makes me happy….it’s tasty….I’m always having a good time when I eat cake.

…..and exercising doesn’t seem to create the same joy in the moment….and I never want another session!

Sticking to regular exercise is tough if you don’t understand and believe your “why” for exercise.

Having a purpose is a tremendous motivator but hard to get when exercise just isn’t your thing.

A trick that works for me is accountability, and I think Accountability is the crucial ingredient of a successful health and fitness plan.

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Meaning of Accountability – start with the end in mind

 

A simple definition is:

A wiliness to answer for the outcomes resulting from the choices, behaviors, and actions you make concerning your health and fitness.

 

I am going to explain this further by using my accounting background because, for me, accountability has always meant starting at the end.

In business and personal health;  focusing on the outcomes means that we don’t get caught up in the details of the ”how to”  but instead get a clear understanding of what needs to happen to get the job or fitness done.   Therefore, to improve fitness, we need exercise – in whatever form.

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WILLING (not forced) to PERSONALLY take ownership for exercise

 

Having fitness accountability gives you added incentive to stay committed to your exercise program. You don’t need a drill sergeant threatening you with extra push-ups to get the job done.

It’s about changing your mindset from exercise as being a necessary evil and having to be pushed, to exercise as something that will change your life for the better.

Accountability means establishing guidelines and consequences that will encourage you never to miss your workout.

Here are 3 essential guidelines that have helped me find my way to exercising regularly:

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1. Make a schedule; take a look at your week and find days and times when you’re free to work out. Aim for keeping a regular schedule. Review your schedule weekly and make adjustments for the coming week.
2. Find a workout buddy; group, or sign up for regular fitness classes (like our Shape-UP program). Having a support system of friends who have similar goals and exercise interests turns a workout into a good time with friends.
3. Set up a reward system; sometimes we need a little bonus for making even short-term goals.  Rewards should compliment your fitness, for example, a new water bottle or new sports shoes, workout clothes, a massage etc.

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Fitness is a piece of cake with accountability

 

Becoming more personally accountable for your fitness will allow you to stay on track because you understand that fitness is within your control.

Notwithstanding the pressures of the day, scheduling workouts in the morning will mean that you have taken the stress out of finding time for  fitness and positioned yourself to deal with the unexpected without comprising your health.

Having an accountability partner in fitness will keep you from meandering into health apathy.

I have always been an action-oriented person, but I have not always balanced this with a focus on what is important in the long term.

You, my fellow Shapers, are my accountability partners, you bring objectivity to my fitness and sharpen my focus on my well-being and yours.

I believe that fitness sets the balance that brings happiness into our day without regret.

I am grateful to have each of you in my life

Thank you

 

Thought for the week: I leave you this week with words by Haruki Murakami who is a Japanese writer.

“Life’s no piece of cake, mind you, but the recipe’s my own to fool with.”

 

In the comments below; take this opportunity to be accountable in a small way – let me know what step you will take this week towards exercise, and I will help you stay accountable!

 

Live well with fitness

 

Anna