Get Yourself an Accountability Buddy

One of the biggest motivators when it comes to trying to create a lifestyle diet, is having to answer for it when you make a mistake. We all are going to make mistakes when we make such huge changes. It’s really just the name of the game, only it’s not a game. And if it were, we would be wondering why we never get any wild cards. There is no easy way out or some miracle play, we each have to do the work. I personally know a few people that had surgery to lose weight. Thing is, they lost weight real fast. However, they didn’t change their lifestyle and fell back into their old habits and just gained it back. I’ve said it before in another article about picking the right diet. It’s a lifestyle diet not a temporary one.

Now if I haven’t gotten far enough on a tangent for you, I’m sure I’ll do it again later so don’t worry. I love being able to help out a friend, while also being able to help myself. An accountability buddy usually needs your help, just like you need theirs. Sometimes, you can talk yourself out of doing what you should or snacking when you shouldn’t. We make excuses in our heads about why it’s ok. However, when you have someone you’re checking in with it’s harder to make those excuses sound reasonable. There are two main ways that an accountability buddy becomes beneficial.

Working out

• Meeting up – I know that there are times that I talk myself out of going to the gym and going on that run. Have someone that is planning on meeting you there. You aren’t going to want to leave them hanging or explain why you aren’t there. There may be a million amazing excuses because you didn’t make it to the gym. I know I personally have the BEST excuses. However, excuses aren’t going to give us the end result that we want. Practice makes perfect and if we need a buddy to help us actually start practicing, then one day it will be as easy as brushing your teeth.
• Push harder – Having somebody with you at the gym is somehow more motivating. I always feel like I push just a bit harder. I can struggle with thinking about everything else that needs to get done and lose focus on what I’m doing. A buddy can bring focus to the task at hand. Weightlifting is also a great workout to have a buddy with you. It’s important to have the right form and to lift safely. With a buddy as a spotter, you can push yourself harder and max out.
• Finish the workout – Remember all those things that need to get done that distract me? I have been guilty a time or two of deciding I don’t have time to keep working out. I’ll finish a set and then head home to work on all those tasks. That luxury is removed if you have plans with someone to do that workout. You aren’t going to cut out on a play you don’t like if your best friend is the lead.

Eating Check-in

• Plan your food – I have had a lot of success with keeping my eating good when I plan my food beforehand. With a buddy you are taking a step further by laying it out for them. You might find that the food you’re planning for the day are better choices than you normally would have done. Make sure to be honest with any changes that you make to avoid going overboard.
• Drink your water – I have already written an entire article about the importance of drinking your daily water. For me, it just is about remembering to actually go pick up a cup of water. I have my techniques for trying to remember but I have noticed that I am better about it when I have someone that I’m telling at the end of the day how much I’ve had. Whatever it is that you need to do to get that water in will definitely help with your body processing your food better. If that means you need to text a friend every time that you have a drink of water, then do so.
• Calories/macros – This goes along with planning your food. When you plan your food, you are also planning the calories (and hopefully macros). You know that your buddy knows how many calories you’re going to eat. If you switch out some eggs for a couple of cookies, they are going to know your losing protein and adding fat and calories. It’s about making better choices.

I lost most of my weight without an accountability buddy. It’s actually something I’ve only been doing the last couple months. I can definitely say there is more of an ease of choices when I know I’m going to tell someone about them. My food choices have changed quite a bit before but with a buddy I have found myself making even better choices. We all are struggling towards our goals and showing our strength when we keep pushing forward. There is no reason why we can’t use each other as a support to become successful in those goals.